Rochdale Environmental Action Group planning meeting

Members of the Rochdale Environmental Action Group (REAG) held a planning meeting on Saturday (22 November) to discuss their options for the town.

During the meeting, the group discussed:

• Future planning for cleaning the area near Rochdale Infirmary.
• More publicity for awareness of the importance of improved environment in the Borough of Rochdale.
• Making Rochdale a “flowery town”.
• More and more public, businesses and organisation engagement in improving the borough.
• To offer help to those residents, businesses and organisations who would come out to clean their own area – e.g. REAG members work with superstores, residents of other areas and organisations.

Members at the meeting also undertook self-assessments and spoke about the reasons why they were involved and what they had achieved.

One member said: “I became involved in the Rochdale Environmental Action Group because they care about their areas and the Borough of Rochdale.”

Another added that the group felt like a “family and has brought people from various faiths, genders and backgrounds together. This has had a positive impact on the local community when they are seen together.”

Since the REAG began, they have received the 2013 Rochdale Diversity Award for Community, have worked with Rochdale Council and local councillors and have organised clean ups along Rochdale Canal and a number of streets in Rochdale.

REAG Secretary Ghulam Rasul Shahzad OBE said: “We are committed and dedicated to carrying on with this work and hope that the people of Rochdale join in with achieving the objectives of REAG by taking responsibility for cleaning the front and rear of their businesses and properties.”