Wigan
Everything’s coming up roses at Pembec in their new polytunnel.
Well, it’s herbaceous perennials mainly, which the green fingered pupils have been busy growing in their 40 foot polythene tunnel in the grounds of Pembec at Kingsdown High School (see photo, right).
This summer, the school was selected to run an environmental project with Neighbourhood Renewal Funding (NRF) along with Wigan Council’s Street Scene team. First on their shopping list was the massive poly tunnel where plants can be safely nurtured and grown.
Damian Jenkinson, the council’s Street Scene Project Officer, has been leading environmental sessions with the students, both in term time and throughout the summer holidays. He said: “The students have had reacted very positively towards this project. Year 11 have prepared the ground successfully and enjoyed the design part of the planting out process. The teamwork within the group has really shown through.”
And now, Year 11 pupils are working in partnership with the Business Enterprise link within the school to create a business plan for a special plant sale next summer.
Mrs Judith Bond, Deputy Head of Pembec at Kingsdown added: “We have really enjoyed working with Wigan Council on this project, it has made a visual difference to the school grounds with all the plants grown over the summer, and the students are now showing much more interest in the environmental issues in the local area.”
Damian, a trained horticulturalist, is keen to see the school enhance its eco credentials. He adds: “The initial club I ran during summer was a huge success and I have now been asked by the pupils involved to create an after school club for them to continue their participation with the project. I am very proud of what the school has achieved in such a short time.”
Lowton
Braithwaite Park in Lowton recently staged the latest of their community environment parties. And with something for all the family, it was better than ever as residents, schoolchildren and environment experts join forces to give the area a spring clean.
The day began with a litter pick around the park and surrounding area, with a host of fun activities for all, including a chance to sow wildflower seeds and make hanging baskets and bat boxes. Children took part in completing a large willow sculpture.
Fire and Rescue Officers and Leigh Cadets joined with council officers to make the day a popular one for all concerned.
Standish
The three local primary schools; St Wilfrid’s, St Marie’s and Woodfold have been working with the council's Street Scene team on a series of environment workshops dedicated to making a real visual difference to the community.
Over 25 pupils were selected to attend a fun and interactive workshop. The practical part of the day involved the children creating a set of baskets for each school, planted with bright flowers and placed outside the school on the guardrails.
Janet Kneale, head of Standish St Wilfrid’s, says: “Pupils have been really positive about this project. Staff and parents, too, tell me how much they appreciate seeing some colour outside the school, signalling the return of summer. Our pupils thoroughly enjoyed this activity and have asked to do more planting inside the school to improve their local environment. I would like to express my thanks to the team and I hope to work with them again in the near future”
All the materials needed by the schools were provided by Wigan Council’s Street Scene team.
Leigh, Ashton and Platt Bridge
A bloomin’ marvellous partnership is bringing a splash of colour to the borough’s streets. The local firm Metrolite, who employ disabled people to manufacture eco-friendly items, have joined forces with the In Bloom team to provide attractive street planters.
They are being placed on the streets of Leigh, Ashton, Platt Bridge and Wigan where digging down to plant trees would be impossible due to underground cables.
At least 30 of the unique planters are being placed around the borough with bright plants and carefully chosen flowers. Council environmental experts will ensure spring, winter and summer bulbs are planted to provide year-round colour.
Tom Milner is the manager of Metrolite. He says: “These planters are made from recycled plastic; a special technique which recycles old plastic materials to a durable and robust standard. It’s especially good for the team to see their handiwork out providing good cheer and interest for residents, shoppers and businesses.”
Beech Hill
Everything’s coming up…daffodils!
A sight set to inspire even William Wordsworth: A host of golden daffodils, bursting out all over Beech Hill every spring.
That’s the plan as some 8,000 bulbs have been planted by residents from Thickness Avenue and Rose Avenue as part of the council’s plans for Northwest in Bloom 2008. Following on from a cluster of awards in the 2007 contest, the council is eager to work with more residents and community groups to ensure the borough continues to be filled with new flowers, trees and displays.
Residents, Wigan and Leigh Housing and Wigan Council’s Street Scene Team are in Beech Hill with environmental improvements top of the agenda, working with the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers Team (BTCV).
Steve Topping of BTCV, said: “Last week, Wigan Council won most improved borough in the Northwest in Bloom competition. Working with the local community is very rewarding and helps to strengthen links between Wigan Council and its residents.”
Ian lythgoe, Chair of the Beech Hill Tenants and Residents Association, added: “The committee has been extremely busy over the past number of months. The bulb planting is a way of engaging with the community for the benefit of the whole area and helping to provide a touch of colour in the spring. We are very active in promoting and protecting areas of the environment for people in our community to enjoy. We strive for a community that is a nice place to live, where people feel safe and secure and that the tenants and residents are consulted regarding improvements for the area.”
And from Wigan and Leigh Housing, Rebecca Prior said: “This close partnership of a hard working group of is making a real difference in the community.”
Last year saw major daffodil planting along Beech Hill Avenue and a number of other eco-projects in the area from environmental services teams.
Ince
One of the most important routes in Ince has had a green makeover, thanks to local school children and Wigan Council’s Street Scene team.
Around 60 new hanging baskets have been given out to residents along Ince Green Lane as part of the area’s continuing environmental improvements funded by the government’s Single Regeneration Budget (SRB).
Ince St Williams and Ince CE Primary recently teamed up with the Street Scene team to prepare the baskets for Ince Green Lane. Mrs Schofield, Deputy Headteacher at Ince St William’s Primary, said: “Our school is committed to working with the local community to improve the environmental appearance of our neighbourhood. By getting pupils involved in this project they learn by direct experience that their local community is important and that they are a crucial part of it.”
Giving the hanging baskets to residents to maintain is an encouragement for the eco-work to continue as the funding from SRB6 comes to an end. The bid, organised by the council’s Street Scene team, included planting 40,000 daffodil bulbs, 18 trees, 56 pairs of alleygates, 10 new anti-vandal litter bins, a 3 month-long landscaping project to attempt to design out litter traps, and a series of anti-litter education lessons with all the local schools.
