A TOWN Team hopes to net sponsorship to help make sure its surroundings look in pristine condition.
Volunteers in Mossley tend to planters and beds in various locations over the course of a year.
But like virtually anything, things cost and they would like a donation towards the upkeep of a place they are so proud of.
Last year, the total cost was £2,600, with the summer planting – which is first on their calendar – bringing a bill of £1,800.
The money the Town Team gets in now for the hanging baskets and some of the display planters around the high streets in Top and Bottom Mossley only just covers costs.
And to enable it to expand its displays it is looking for more donations from the businesses in the whole town in return for their company being recognised with a plaque on a display planter.
Paul Dowthwaite, deputy chairman of Mossley Town Team, explained: “In Top and Bottom Mossley, the Town Team plants twice a year, in Spring and Autumn.
“The next time we plant will be around May, April if the weather is OK, and the amount we can do depends on how much money we get.
“If we can get sponsorship, we can do that little bit more and better.
“We received £1,200 from Mossley SOUP last year, which helped with the summer planting and it all makes such a big difference to the town.
“The Britain in Bloom award was outstanding this year and we got a very good judgment on that.
“The judge said the standard we produced was sufficient for us to think about the whole town putting in for a town award – that would require everybody to be on board.
“As well as planters, we’ve got tubs and baskets. There are 65-70 baskets that businesses buy from us for £10 each, which covers the cost.
“There are about 15 big planters in Bottom Mossley, then another 20 in Top Mossley. We’ve also got the gardens around the George Lawton Hall.”
The Town Team made a direct appeal to Robertson’s, the company which runs the George Lawton Hall, and it has resulted in the award of £500 worth of plants.
However, that is purely for the area around the building, whereas the Town Team’s appeal for donations is for the wider town.
It is also looking for more volunteers of all ages as helping with planting is seen as an ideal way to not only help the town but for people’s own health.
Paul added about the George Lawton Hall installation: “Every year we make improvements at the George Lawton Hall and around the town and despite Covid lockdowns, last year’s displays were superb. The George Lawton one greatly enhances the look and attractiveness of the hall.
“The Town Team is an independent, apolitical community group without any public funding whose work is carried out by volunteers
“It relies on sponsorship and the sales of hanging to businesses to fund purchases of plants, planters, fertiliser and compost.”
• Anyone interested in sponsoring Mossley Town Team’s planting can email chairman Tony Snape at tonyandval2017@btinternet.com