Falinge growers spring into action

Lower Falinge Gardening Club

A group of residents from Lower Falinge, Rochdale, recently teamed up to prepare and plant up an allotment at the heart of the community.

The programme is the latest development in a relationship that has seen a network of new or improved green spaces develop at the heart of communities all over the country, including the Melrose Natural Play Area in Lower Falinge.

The Lower Falinge Gardening Club has been running for the last two years. Residents meet every Tuesday morning with the aim of growing their own fresh herbs, fruit and vegetables that can be taken home and used in cooking. In readiness for spring, recent work on the garden includes preparing the beds to be planted up and finding new and creative ways of making planting spaces, for example sowing seed potatoes into old tyres.

The Lower Falinge Gardening Club has been running for the last two years and is funded by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) and Rochdale Council. The group has recently been supported by residents taking part in the Falinge Community Action Team (Falinge CAT), a six week voluntary scheme delivered by Groundwork Oldham and Rochdale.

A number of the volunteers who took part in Falinge CAT and were introduced to the allotment have now joined the Lower Falinge Gardening Club.

David Fenwick-Finn is a local resident who has completed Falinge CAT and is now a member of the gardening club. He said: “It’s been great to get involved in both the six week Falinge CAT scheme and to now carry on with the gardening group; it’s allowed me to meet and mix with new people that I might not have usually met and to do something positive in the community.”

Gemma Russell, Community Project Officer for Groundwork, said: “With funding from M&S, we’re supporting communities to improve and manage their green spaces. The residents in Lower Falinge have done an excellent job over the past few months and Groundwork will be providing further assistance to the Gardening Club to help strengthen the group for years to come.”

Mike Barry, Head of Sustainable Business at Marks & Spencer, said: “@myurbangreen is a new, exciting programme that will create a dynamic legacy in communities across the UK for the ‘Greener Living Spaces’ we have created with Groundwork. It will help local people take ownership of their green spaces and ensure they are fit for everyone to enjoy. It’s a simple and effective way for our customers to get involved in supporting their local communities.”

If you would like to join the Lower Falinge Gardening Club or would like a tour of the allotment contact Gemma Russell at Groundwork on 0161 624 1444 or 07990 552 748.