Activity day at restored allotment

Natasha and Dane Bowers made a bird feeder at the activity day

Green-fingered local people, who brought a run-down allotment at Kellett Street, Wardleworth, back to life, celebrated their achievements at an activity day.

Children made bird feeders at the event on the Rochdale Borough Council allotment, which had been underused and in poor condition before Great Places Housing Group and the charity Shelter took it on.

Local residents are now growing vegetables, salad and fruit.

Shelter, the housing and homelessness charity, has a base in Rochdale town centre and works with households and families across the borough to promote inclusion in the community.

Through the allotment project, Shelter aims to help people learn new skills they could use in training or employment, manage their homes and outside spaces better and learn about services that the charity provides.

Family activities were followed with a barbecue for local families and people who work for Great Places, Shelter, and other agencies.

More special days at the allotments are planned including a healthy eating day in September and a hot potato night in October.

Naseem Ahmad, customer involvement co-ordinator at Great Places, said: “The residents have really enjoyed getting into gardening. It’s a great way to get out, get some fresh air and exercise, meet new people and, of course, grow healthy food.”

Gemma Magee from Shelter said: “The allotment project is Shelter’s first joint venture of this kind and has already received a great deal of interest from clients who have been working together to learn how to grow their own vegetables and eat healthily.”