Friends of Broadfield Park question council over Memorial Gardens

Friends of Broadfield Park have questioned to council officers regarding the proposed changes to the Memorial Gardens.

£35,000 has been set aside for improvement work on the gardens and phase one of the plans will include tree work, renovation of flower displays, improvement of the main memorial rose gardens and replacing poorly designed benches.

One question raised was why is this work being undertaken when the gardens serve their purpose well enough as they are.

Gordon Beverly, from Environmental Management at Rochdale Council, said: “Money has been set aside for open space improvements as part of the section 106 funding and the environmental management team approached Rochdale Township and said that we think the Memorial Gardens could use some attention.

“Previous work to the gardens did not undertake consultation so we are addressing a balance by doing that consultation and making the improvements that environmental management see fit. We have had a great amount of support from councillors and the general public for these plans.”

One member said: “It is great to know that new trees will be planted but it is not just about planting the trees. It is also about the pruning of the trees and the maintenance of the gardens.”

Ian Trickett, from Environmental Management, said in response: “We are looking at one person to go in and undertake the horticultural work in the gardens and then maybe once a month, we would look to send one person in who knows what they’re doing to look after specific areas.”

It is also hoped that extra security measures will be taken once the improvements have been made. It is hoped that this will include an extra police presence in the first few weeks to deter any potential criminals.

Members of the friends group were also interested to find out when the work will be undertaken and how long that process will take. Work on the gardens is due to start in March with the council proposing to be finished by May.

Ian Trickett added: “We have to be quick to get this done as we do want to be finished for any World War commemoration plans set for the gardens.”

After originally feeling negative about the plans for the memorial gardens, the friends group now feel that they have more information and have been updated on all aspects of the garden.

One member said: “It is a pleasure to see that our comments have been taken on board.”

Chairwoman of the group, Ann Beastley added: “I think before now we had a more negative view of the plans but now we have been updated and kept informed about what is going on, we have more of an understanding of what will happen.”

There are ideas and plans for a phase two of improvements but, as of yet, no funding is available.