Land that lay derelict for 30 years cleared by volunteers

Bags of waste after the site was cleared

Derelict land on Entwisle Road that lay neglected for 30 years has finally been cleared, thanks to the goodwill of volunteers.  

Bridging Communities partnered up with Rochdale Thai Boxing Club to clear the overgrown land next to the Good Shepherd Church, where the club trains. The land had been a significant eyesore for nearby residents, being used as a dumping ground for household rubbish and used for antisocial behaviour due to the obscurity of the site.

The groups decided “enough was enough,” due to a lack of safe environments for the local community to visit and be proud of.

Javed Rehman, chairman of Bridging Communities, said: “We are proud to be working in partnership with the local youths from Rochdale Thai Club to clear up the land and make it a safe environment for all to use.

“The vision is to create an inter-generational garden and outdoor training area where it will attract youths off the streets, away from anti-social behaviour and elders living in the community. During the clean-up, we were approached many elderly people who said they were proud that the youths were working hard to create a garden.

“They have got rid of the eyesore, which had become a norm when walking past, and now you can see such open land with so much potential.”

The first phase was carried out by volunteers armed with small tools to achieve a plain canvas. Now the group is looking to secure funding or donations to progress work into making the vision into a reality. 

To volunteer or donate, email Bridging Communities: 

bridging.communities4all@gmail.com ​