Shaw residents 'disappointed' at months of empty flower beds

For years, residents in Shaw considered their flower display to be 'one of the best' but recent months have seen the beds lay barren.

In a post to social media back in May, a resident asked why the spring installations had been removed, stating many of the plants were still flowering. 

Another resident said they had been told by those removing them that they were being taken ready for the new summer additions. 

The beds have remained empty ever since, however, with one resident taking to social media to ask why there were no flowers planted in Shaw.

Amanda Shaw wrote: "Everywhere I go Royton, Oldham, Chadderton, Rochdale- they all have their flower planters running through the town, you come through Shaw and nothing."

Speaking with The Oldham Times, Amanda said she had noticed the spring flowers had been removed before she went on holiday and was excited to see the new installations on her return. 

She said: "I came back and got a taxi to come back home and there's flowers all in Oldham, we went through Royton, there's flowers all over there.

"I went to Rochdale and Bury on Saturday and there's flowers everywhere- come to Shaw and I thought 'Well where are these in Shaw, when will they put them up?" 

Years gone by: Previous displays in Shaw's flower beds (Image: Google)

Amanda then said when she remembered it was August, she realised it was unlikely any summer displays would now be installed due to the plants being out of season soon.

She explained that she contacted MP Debbie Abrahams about the matter, who told her that she would raise the issue directly with the council.

Amanda said: "I just feel so disappointed. 

"I've lived in Shaw for most of my life, but moved away to Cornwall in 2000 for 16 years and always said if I ever come back to the North West it would always only be Shaw because it's my home town.

"When I came back though, I couldn't believe how much Shaw had changed.

"It just seems like a load of takeaways now and so I'm just disappointed and then thought 'Don't tell me the flowers are going now as well'."

She explained that many others have shared a matching opinion with her and on her post.

One comment said: "The  place [Shaw] is a mess, weeds everywhere- even in the planters."

Another explained she believes the planters have not been filled 'because no one cares about Shaw…'

One woman reminisced on the past displays, saying: "Shaw used to be one of the best for floral displays …. Best ones were at Crompton Health Centre and loads of them."

Responding to some of those comments, Amanda explained the action she had taken and said: "Shaw is just a forgotten town, no one's interested anymore."

Oldham Council has been contacted for comment.