A clean, green vision

Adults and children plant bulbs for King Street East Residents Association’s Community Planting day

2 More Image(s) In Gallery

Adults and children gathered together to prepare the ground and plant bulbs for King Street East Residents Association’s (KESRA) Community Planting day Saturday, 10 May.

The event was to mark a ‘fresh start’ in the Milkstone and Deeplish area.

The group were joined by Rochdale Council Rangers, Bob Bevan and Mike Cummings, Police Officer Simon Rogers and PCSO’s Martin Beever and Madasar Nasir

The early stages and preparatory work included the removal of unsightly shrubs that were acting as a litter trap and areas for people to stash drugs. The Rochdale Environmental Action Group (REAG) team arrived and picked litter in and around the play area and also recruited some willing children to join them. They all then helped with the bulb planting.

Shahid Mohammed, speaking on behalf of KESRA, said: “I wanted this event to be a way of bringing the community together to do something positive and to have a lasting impression on the Rainbow Children’s Play Area to counter all the negativity and anti-social behaviour in the surrounding area, which to some extent still exists. We will continue to work with the Police and others to address these issues, although I don’t think we can eradicate it completely.”

“We have had fantastic support from Ian Trickett (RMBC Parks & Open Spaces Development Manager) who has helped design and organise the phases of the landscaping. I was really pleased that the local Imam Mufti Zaid from Central Mosque joined us and got his hands dirty, he stayed with us until the end. He is an inspiration to many people both young and old and hopefully we will see more people get involved after seeing him. We also had Eleanor (ASDA Community champion) visit us and provide complimentary refreshments and also help with the planting.”

The odd shower of rain on the day didn’t particularly bother anyone and the group achieved what they had planned to do at this phase of development in the area. Mr Mohammed explained: “Everyone enjoyed themselves and were keen to offer their support for future projects and I am really proud of what we achieved on Saturday. I am looking forward to the next phase and when the flowers are in bloom that will make everything worthwhile.

“Our vision for the area is to be clean, green and safe for local people; I believe that we are setting down new roots, for new beginnings, it’s a fresh start for the area.

"I would like to thank all the residents, friends and the children that turned up and took time out to help us on Saturday.”

The group are also planning a Community Engagement event in the summer with Greater Manchester Police.