Children's centre set for a garden makeover

All systems 'hoe' for the 'Hands on at Howard Street' group; Melanie Ashurst, Christine Jones, Maria Dziobek, Emma Mew and Rita Clarke.

It will be all hoes, shears and shovels after the active Parents Group, 'Hands on at Howard Street' acquired some grant funding to bring a little green happiness into their neighbourhood.

The group were successful in bidding for £1,000 from Rochdale Township Fund-Community Grant to change a predominantly concrete outlook into a green oasis with flowers, shrubs and bushes.

Those involved in the group and other parents from the centre will now get to work on the patch in the Falinge area and the garden will be officially opened soon.

The outdoor area is used by families who attend a variety of sessions at the Howard Street Children's Centre.

Secretary Maria Dziobek said: "The group are pleased that they were successful in their bid for funding and are very happy with the results. It will make such a difference to all who use the area."

Parent Worker Pauline Massey said: "The group are continually looking at ways of making things better for the people in their local Falinge community and this is a real success for us all."