Sheriff Street garden all set for summer

Residents and Green Team members enjoy the finished garden.

Residents at Rochdale Boroughwide Housing's Sheriff Street independent living scheme in Milnrow will get even more enjoyment out of their garden this summer after their outdoor space was transformed thanks to the help of the Groundwork Green Team.

In a previously bland and empty part of the garden, the Green Team has planted new fruit trees and installed benches, level access paths, and three brand new raised planters. Residents also have access to a new shed and greenhouse which have been purchased by the tenants and installed by the team.

The Green Team in Rochdale is a longstanding successful partnership between Groundwork and RBH, providing young people across the borough with the opportunity to gain experience and qualifications while helping to transform and enhance RBH's green spaces and communal areas.

Tracey Warwick, resident at Sheriff Street, said: "We are absolutely delighted with the outcome of this project. The idea behind it initially five and half years ago was to grow fruit and vegetables for health reasons, bringing residents together and to be managed by them also.

"It was a dream in our minds but thanks to our collaboration with Groundwork, RBH and our fundraising the dream came true. We are over the moon with the build. It looks fantastic, giving us lots of growing space and seating to work from which is a must on the scheme."

Charmaine Barnes, Groundwork land apprentice, said: "When the work on Sheriff Street was drawing to a close, I felt as though a small part of me would always stay at Sheriff Street. The community vibe was abundant; we were cared for like family and I feel incredibly proud to be able to say I took part in this project.

"As a small gift on the last day after the paths had been surfaced, I surprised the residents with a gift I had made for a lady who is no longer with us but had shown interest at the start of the project. I made a street sign to position along the path. It reads 'Mary’s Path'.

"Part of me wanted to leave my stamp and part of me just wanted to personally thank the residents of Sheriff Street for making my final year as a land apprentice so incredibly memorable."