Page 8 - Real Rochdale Issue 09 Winter 2020

MEN OF ROCHDALE 2019:

Paul Ellison & Ray Smith

Since it began in 1994, the annual Man of Rochdale accolade has

been awarded to one winner who has made a major difference to
Rochdale. However, in 2019, this changed – as for the first time in

the event’s history, the title was awarded to not one, but two of the

borough’s hardest working men: Paul Ellison and Ray Smith.

Despite a 40-year-age gap, both Paul and Ray landscaping positions at Lancashire County,
are heavily involved in the ‘In Bloom’ initiatives Tameside and Salford councils, before
throughout the borough, creating wonderful eventually working for himself until suffering a
floral displays every year for the Royal stroke twenty years ago.
Horticultural Society’s North West in Bloom
contest. After “not doing much for a few years,” Ray hasn’t
slowed down. He chaired the Friends of
Paul has been on the Rochdale In Bloom Hollingworth Lake, making a number of
committee for five years, whilst Ray has been improvements to the area, before becoming
on the Pennines In Bloom committee for over involved with the Pennines in Bloom group, of
seven. which he is chairman. He stepped back from the
Friends group after a mini-stroke, but returned
Ray and Paul were interviewed by Michelle Kight as its chair in 2019.
at Rochdale Town Hall’s Clock Tower Dining
Room before the national lockdown began in Last year, Pennines in Bloom scooped their best
March 2020. ever results from the North West in Bloom
contest. The regional competition consists of
Born in Nelson, Ray moved to the Rochdale two judging days. The first is a guided tour
borough in his mid-20s. He held several taking in areas of interest in the area; the second

Ray Smith, centre with Margaret Jones (left) from Pennines in Bloom and Jacqueline Nicholson (right) from Gordon Rigg
Paul Ellison and Ray Smith with the Man of Rochdale plate
REAL ROCHDALE - WINTER 2020 8 9 REAL ROCHDALE - WINTER 2020