Spring clean for Packer Spout

Date published: 11 March 2005

Green spaces close to the heart of Rochdale town centre have been getting a much-needed spring clean this week. Volunteers from Rochdale's 50th Groundwork Princes Trust team have joined up with Rochdale Council's warden for Broadfield Park to brighten up the area around Packer Spout and Leyland Bank, to the rear of Rochdale town hall.

They have been invited to carry out the clean up by Broadfield Park warden,Bob Bevan. Bob explained, "Groundwork Prince's Trust needed a location for trainees to gain experience, and this gives us the opportunity to enhance this valuable town centre area. We are very pleased to be working with the Princes Trust to achieve this."

"The work is helping to clear accumulated litter as well as cut back overgrown laurel and rhodedendron bushes that have acted as a cover to anti-social behaviour. The area will be covered by CCTV cameras, which previously were impeded by the bushes."

By transforming the environment in one of the town centre's most important green spaces, it's hoped that the area will once again become a popular and attractive place to visit. Pathways are being restored so they are easily accessible to all. Picnic tables wil be installed to  encourage town centre users to enjoy the area. Over 20 volunteers from Groundwork Princes Trust have filled bags full of litter from the bank. New litter bins are being installed on the steps linking Packer Street and the churchyard of St Chad's. The volunteers have carried out the work as part of a 12-week training course.

Lyndsey Craig, Groundwork Team Leader, said, "This is not only the fiftieth Prince's Trust team to work in Rochdale, but also the largest team we've ever run. This is an excellent project and the whole team are really enjoying making a difference to the area."

At the same time as the work on Leyland Bank, a team of offenders on Community Service Orders are coming to Broadfield Park to restore children's play equipment. The brightly coloured paintwork will be given a fresh coat,and the equipment will be modified to make it easier to keep clean and harder to abuse. Bill Brooks of the Probation Service said, "This is unpaid community work, which enables offenders to put something back into the community, helping them to make a positive and rewarding contribution."