Council seeks green fingered apprentice

Rochdale Council has been given part of a £1 million fund to recruit a new green-fingered apprentice to keep the town's parks and green spaces growing.

The council will invite budding horticulturalists of all ages to apply for a traineeship scheme that will offer them the opportunity to improve their skills and make sure the town stays green.

The local authority will be looking for people who can prove their gardening prowess and follow in the footsteps of one former green apprentice, Alan Titchmarsh.

As a youngster, Mr Titchmarsh was given the chance to train as a green apprentice by Ilkley Council in Yorkshire. His apprenticeship gave him the opportunity to get involved in an area he was already interested in but also proved a stepping-stone to a star-studded career in horticulture.

Margaret Beckett announced the new funding in a speech to leading experts in the green space sector as well as planners, developers and health officials at the ParkCity conference in London.

Mrs Beckett said: "These new apprentices will be green ambassadors in their communities, taking responsibility for our parks and open spaces and making sure they are of the highest quality for everyone to enjoy.

"Green spaces and green infrastructure should not be an added luxury. If we really are to tackle climate change, protect both our environment and our health, green spaces need to be at the heart of our communities.

"We will work closely with planners, developers and experts in the green sector to ensure we have the skills and resources we need to make this happen."

Adding his support for the scheme, Alan Titchmarsh MBE said: "The practical skills provided by apprenticeships are every bit as important as university degrees, especially those involved with the landscape and environment. As a former apprentice myself, I value apprenticeships tremendously and am relieved and delighted that this initiative is underway."