Residents get fresh and fruity

A group of Rochdale tenants and residents have been getting rather fruity lately after starting their own community venture.

Fiona Hall, who works as a Day Service Officer for Rochdale Council has been leading a group of green fingered enthusiasts at a community house in Milnrow and they’ve taken the flower arranging market by storm.

Meeting every Wednesday and Thursday, the ‘Fresh n Fruity’ group, who all have a learning disability, come together to plough their trade by growing flowers, fruits and vegetables at the allotments.

However it’s the flower arrangement side of the business that has really taken off. During the sessions the team demonstrate to groups how to make their own arrangements and then sell the ones they prepared earlier.

Ms Hall said: “The flowers have proved to be really popular, and we have received lots of enquiries from groups that want to book workshops with us.”

‘Fresh n Fruity’ have so far delivered flower arranging workshops at RBH sheltered schemes in Heywood, Milnrow and Freehold and in addition are hoping to introduce the ‘fruits’ of their labour to Heywood residents in the summer with a massive vegetable soup pot full of their own produce, which the locals can try for free.