Flower project blossoms at SOUP #9

Blooming marvelous!

A project to plant flowers in Mossley’s town centres gained the most votes at the latest Mossley SOUP event, securing £1,346 on the night.

On Thursday 24 October, volunteers from Mossley SOUP hosted their ninth community crowdfunding dinner at Emmaus Mossley. The event, sponsored by Premier Automotive, was attended by more than 125 guests who donated £5 each in return for soup, entertainment, presentations from four local projects and a vote.

The winning project, Town Centre Plantings by The Town Team, appealed for funds to help with planting flowers in Top and Bottom Mossley. The project was presented by Paul Dowthwaite with support from three local volunteers. Paul said:

“To say we were pleasantly surprised is a big understatement. We were euphoric because we did not think we would win. The money will make huge difference to the range and quality of plants that we can buy and that will have a big effect on the look of the town. Almost as important to us was getting people’s votes as it’s a sign that the Town Team’s work is appreciated.”

Presenters of four projects had four minutes each to share their idea followed by four questions from the audience. Along with Town Centre Plantings, the three other projects appealing for support were the Empowering Body Paint Project by Cabasa Carnival Arts, Mossley AFC – 100 Years of Professional Football, and Mossley Luncheon Club by Mossley Action for the Elderly.

In addition to entrance donations and £200 donated by Premier Automotive, the winner’s pot included funds raised via a raffle and a recent Off The Rails Comedy Club fundraiser. Raffle prizes were kindly donated by Dinnerstone Restaurant, Donkeystone Brewery, Emmaus Mossley, The Allotment Cafe and The Railway Chippy.

Entertainment on the night included live music and spoken word poet, Leon The Pig Farmer. Guest speaker Gary, from Micklehurst Cricket Club, provided an update following the club’s win at the seventh Mossley SOUP event back in February.

Four freshly made soups were prepared by local volunteers Gordon Collinge, Lesley Arnold and Rory Callaghan from The Allotment Cafe. Soup ingredients and bread was donated by A Taylor & Son Family Butchers, JW Buckley’s Bakery and greengrocers R Noone & Son.

Project ideas are being sought from individuals, artists, community groups, charities and businesses for the future Mossley SOUP events.