Blackrod: Bolton's first Wellbeing Garden being developed

Land on the corner of Church Street and Nightingale Gardens in Blackrod is being developed into a 'Wellbeing Garden" thanks to money raised by Talking Football, a football group in Blackrod.

The garden, which was originally a farm and then a waste disposal site, wukk be transformed by taking out the bushes and shrubs  and replaced with flowerbeds, and a ‘chatty bench’ will be installed.

The gardens as they currently are (Image: Newsquest)

Chatty benches aim to reduce social isolation.

The bench will have a sign on it that indicates whoever sits there is happy to have a chat.

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The work is being carried out by Flatters Gardening Services and members of Talking Football.

Mayor of Blackrod, Cllr Sue Baines, said: “It’s vitally important, it’s all about wellbeing and it’s all about reducing social isolation and being a good neighbour.

“It’s a lovely place for people to sit and reflect, and we want to encourage people to come and have a chat.

The bushes and shrubs that are set to be taken out (Image: Newsquest)

“This will be the first Wellbeing Garden across the borough, and the first chatty bench too.”

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Steve Bell of Talking Football said: “It’s just to give back to the village. It will be good to have somewhere for people to come to, they can come and have a chat.

“Even a couple of minutes of solitude, to sit and listen to what’s going on, listen to the birds sing.

The work begun on Friday (Image: Newsquest)

“The contribution from Talking Football is £2060, which was raised from our charity match last summer. We said at the time we wanted to spend the money in Blackrod.”

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Graham Farrington, Blackrod Town Council’s longest serving councillor, said: “It used to be a farm site, it came right up to the roadside.

Craig Flatters of Flatters Gardening Services said: “The work should take around three days. We’ve got to put plants in, and they will hopefully be grown and in full colour around summertime.”