Bolton community groups receive Green Spaces funding

The groups have been awarded the money by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) from its Green Spaces Fund. 

It was recently announced that 18 projects across the city region which aim to provide access to better green spaces have secured over £400k of funding, five of which are being backed by over £96,000 from Auto Trader. 

Five of the 18 projects are in the Bolton area. 

Harpers Lane Community Garden has received funding for its Ivy Road Community Project. 

Chairperson Heather Berry said: "The money is to kick start our project to create a community Forest Garden in the heart of the community. The council are supporting us and are also donating two 'chatty benches' to add to one already donated by Rotary Bolton Lever.

Harpers Lane Community Garden (Image: Harpers Lane Community Garden)

"A significant part of the funding will be to make the area more accessible to people with disabilities by laying down better paths and installing raised growing beds. That's very significant, as we want everybody to be part of the project. 

"Part of the funding will also go towards trees and plants to feed us and the wildlife which is when it will become a forest garden.

"Another part is to allow us to put on fun community events connected with wildlife and wellbeing such as tree identification, herbal and mushroom foraging and cooking using wild ingredients."

She added: "We will also have events to encourage people to grow their own food.

"Anything produced at Ivy Road will be free, a sort of incredible edible Bolton. We will also have areas for families and children such as a willow tunnel/maze, a picnic area and a fairy glade."

New Bury Community Allotments has also received funding for its Ash Pit Growers project, which aims to improve and enhance the site with native trees and hedging, fruit trees, and shrubs. 

It will also "improve biodiversity" with habitats and food sources for wildlife, as well as installing raised beds for food growing. 

Daisy Dell Action Group is another group which has received the GMCA money, for its Going Green in Deane project. 

Work at Daisy Dell in 2017

It aims to "improve the site with additional trees and hedging, fruit trees and shrubs", with a wildflower area and bog pond to be added to the site. 

The group will also install raised beds for food growing, as well as a willow dome. 

In Atherton, Wardour Street Community Allotments will create safe, accessible access to the site with the money, allowing its use by the local community after two years of site clearance. 

Growing Together Radcliffe has also received funding, to be used for its Redbank Partnership. 

The scheme, developed between the group and Radcliffe Football Club, Radcliffe Primary School and Radcliffe Anglers, will improve a 'deprived urban area'. 

It will create natural spaces that feels safer and more welcoming at Redbank Lodges, create a community garden at the football club, engage children and families at the school, and improve Milton Road Field from fly tipping and encourage greater use by residents and wildlife. 

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “The natural environment is critical to the health of Greater Manchester’s communities and the prosperity of our economy.

"That’s why we put the environment at the heart of our Greater Manchester Strategy – our vision for a greener, fairer, more prosperous city-region.

“The projects backed by the Green Spaces Fund over the last year and a half are always brilliant and demonstrate the creativity and passion of residents across the city-region wanting to make Greater Manchester a better, and crucially, greener, place to live.

"These projects ensure everyone can access the benefits of green spaces, for both individuals and communities, and I look forward to these latest projects taking shape.”