Green-fingered Hopwood Hall College brighten up Rochdale canal

Horticulture students from Hopwood Hall College renovate sections of Rochdale Canal in Littleborough

Horticulture students from Hopwood Hall College have been using their expertise to renovate sections of Rochdale Canal.

Working with Canal and River Trust and Pennines in Bloom, the students have redeveloped parts of the Littleborough section of Rochdale Canal for the local community.

Numerous sets of new flower beds have been dug and planted alongside stretches of the canal as well as new trees planted by roadsides.

The flora was carefully chosen to by the three institutions to best bring out the town’s beauty and provide an area that will be easily maintainable for future generations.

The project comes as part of a work experience plan from the college’s Horticulture department to ensure their students leave with the best employability prospects.

Andrew Oldham, the students’ lecturer, said: “We’re really proud to be using our knowledge and skills to help out local communities. Combining the real world experience our students have gained with the benefits local residents will see makes this a really rewarding experience.

“I’d like to thank both Pennies in Bloom and Canal and River Trust for giving us the opportunity to be a part of their regeneration project.”

Paul McCrystal, one of the students taking part, said: “This was a really good opportunity to see how a professional project works in the real world, being a part of it gave me a real insight into what is required of you in the industry.

“Knowing it was for the benefit of local people also made it that bit more rewarding, hopefully it will help them maintain pride in their town.”