Gorton residents are being encouraged to take advantage of a new community project, which aims to promote sustainable living and help people get in touch with nature.
Gorton Growing Together saw the renovation of green space surrounding Gorton Community Centre into an area for growing food, with training available on how to grow and cook ingredients there.
The overgrown land at the back of the centre has been replaced with raised beds, planters and a polytunnel for growing fresh fruit and vegetables.
Sixty bulk containers were recycled and repurposed for the project, which local environmental project Red Rose Forest hope the public will takes advantage of.
Hilary Wood, Green Streets Manager for Red Rose Forest, said: “We’d like to take this opportunity to invite more local people to now come down and get involved.
“This is your space and your involvement and commitment will be vital to ensure its continued success.”
Ms Wood also thanked members of the community for throwing themselves into the project.
“Local residents and community centre users have shown 100% commitment to the project from the outset – getting their sleeves rolled up and putting in the time and effort needed to make the project a success,” she said.
“A piece of unused and unloved land has now taken pride of place in the local community.”
There will also be a lowered growing area for pupils from nearby Abbey Hey Lane Primary School, where the children will have the opportunity to learn about how food is grown.
The pupils will also be able to create a ‘Bug Hotel’ to attract wildlife to the site and improve its biodiversity.
The project was funded by the European Union’s INTERREG IVB, a programme to promote the economic, environmental, social and territorial future of the EU.
EU champion for the project Joe Larrigan spoke of the need for green space.
He said: “Green spaces are essential to the success of local communities like Gorton.
“They provide a place for people to come together, meet their neighbours, enjoy some fresh air and get in touch with nature.”
He added that: “They offer a bit of an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and are a great place to relax and recharge your batteries.”
A local resident himself, Mr Larrigan was pleased with the community’s response: “Local people have put their heart and soul into this project and will continue to work really hard to make it succeed.
“We’re looking forward to enjoying the fruits of our labour in the coming months.”
The project was also supported by international construction services company ISG and Manchester City Council.
Councillor Rosa Battle, Manchester City Council’s executive member for culture and leisure, said: “The Gorton Growing Together project is certain to become an asset to the local community.
“It has transformed an underused piece of land into a picturesque green space and also created an area for local people to grow their own fruit and veg.
Councillor Battle added that she was enthusiastic about how the project was able to build upon the existing services offered by the community centre.
She said: “Gorton Community Centre is already a hub in the local area, but we are thrilled that the project has attracted serious partners and funding that will make this underused space a true community resource – providing both a place of leisure and a place of education.”
ISG’s Northern regional managing director, Danny Murray, was also happy with the results of the project.
He said: “Bringing the community together is exactly what this initiative is all about and the creation of the garden has been similarly collaborative, with a range of agencies, funding partners and built environment specialists working hard to realise the vision for this underused space.
“Anticipation has been building as the garden has taken shape and now the transformation is complete, local residents have access to a fantastic space, cultivating community spirit and hopefully fantastic Gorton grown produce.”
Image courtesy of Manchester City Council, with thanks.