Schoolchildren help Heywood firefighters say it with flowers

Heywood firefighters are saying it with flowers when it comes to water safety

Heywood firefighters were joined by local schoolchildren from Hopwood Community Primary School who helped put the finishing touches to the community fire station garden by planting bedding plants and unveiling the water safety theme.

Green fingered firefighters have got into the spirit of the North West in Bloom initiative and have given their fire station a floral touch. 

Amongst the hanging baskets and borders, crews have used their gardening skills to spell out a message about water safety.

A boat and signs placed amongst the flowers is asking people to 'Stay Safe Around Water'.

Station Manager Ian Tracey said: “Heywood Community Fire Station is the first public building that the Britain in Bloom judges will pass on their way into Heywood so we wanted them to know that we’re at the heart of the community here and we’re all behind the fantastic efforts going on in Heywood for the competition.

“This summer, we wanted to promote water safety in a different way and everyone has pulled together to spruce up the station – hopefully it will make people think twice about getting into trouble in open water as the weather warms up.

“We’d also like to thank Bowlee Garden Nursery who donated the flowers.”

This is the second year that Heywood firefighters have entered the competition, last year, a tin man holding a pan urged local people to ditch deadly chip pans as part of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service’s drive to Ban the Pan.

Red Watch Crew Manager Chris Fowles said: “The tin man, PanBot, proved to be a great success with local people last year.

“He was recycled after being created by a friend of mine for the Olympic torch relay – and after a makeover, he’s back with us this year with a new look helping us spread the water safety message in time for summer.”

Heywood Fire Station’s garden is also part of the Safe4Summer campaign – a joint initiative between GMFRS, Greater Manchester Police and the county’s 10 local authorities aimed at keeping people of all ages safe from summer risks such as the dangers of water and grass fires, and addressing community concerns about youth-related crime and anti-social behaviour during those months.