Manchester & District Housing Association, and Moving and Developing Offerton Community Group (M.A.D.O.C.G.) took the first steps towards a local community garden next to Marlhill Close yesterday as they planted the first shrubs.
Local residents came together on the day (despite the heavy downpour of rain!) to plant out a selection of herbs and other sensory plants in the community garden, which they hope will become a haven of peace and tranquillity for other Offerton people.
Manchester & District prepared the land for the project after M.A.D.O.C.G decided on planning and developing a community garden after receiving a PCT Community Grant for £500.
Jan Brown from Manchester & District said:
“We have worked with MADOCG on a number of gardening days in the past, encouraging local people to create hanging baskets and other items for their homes and the idea has grown from there. The community garden is something that everyone can be involved in and will continue to benefit the residents of Offerton for years to come.”
Vale Contract Services, who are responsible for M & D’s ground maintenance has also provided staff to help, advise and support throughout the project.
Local residents will next work with a local nursery to learn about the plants and flowers that will now work best in the garden throughout the seasons. Although work will continue on the garden throughout the winter the next major event will be early next year as a major planting project will be underway for spring and summer 07, when the garden looks to be awash with colour.
The long-term plans for the garden are to add seating to the area and arrange community activities and events so that people can enjoy the garden in a variety of ways.