Local charity celebrates Summer Solstice

Petrus Community celebrated the Summer Solstice

Local homelessness charity Petrus Community celebrated the Summer Solstice by launching two new fantastic partnership projects.

Petrus Incredible Edibles Rochdale (PIER) organised the event on the longest day of the year. Over 200 people joined Petrus PIER at the community garden on Belfield Road.

Rachael Bennion, who has developed PIER said, “I am delighted with the turnout.

The event featured Maypole Dancing, Clog Dancing from Oakenhoof Cloggers, a picnic lunch, live music and a range of other outdoor activities.

“It was fantastic that Councillor Allen Brett came along, as well as the founder of Incredible Edible, Pam Warhurst CBE, and Anne Grunning from the Royal Horticultural Society. We were also pleased that the Vicar of Rochdale, Rev Mark Coleman paid a visit, along with many members of local volunteer agencies, schools and toddler groups.

“We are really excited about our two new partnership projects. They are both a fantastic opportunity to brighten up Rochdale and to help make it a more vibrant and colourful place to live”.

One of the partnership projects, It’s Your Neighbourhood in Bloom, works with Kashmir Youth Project and aims to create a ‘corridor of colour’ along Belfield Road.

Supported by the Royal Horticultural Societies Greening Grey Britain Campaign, the whole area surrounding Petrus PIER will benefit from many colourful hanging baskets and floral displays.

It’s Your Neighbourhood in Bloom will be judged in 3 July as part of the In Bloom North West competition.

The second project aims to explore and document the use of plants for medicinal purposes. Funded by Near Neighbours and Ambition for Aging, PIER will work with local people, particularly from older generations, who have a wealth of knowledge to share.