Police chief finds hidden gem in Hyde

Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Peter Fahy has opened a new public garden in Booth Street in Hyde.

The residents’ association vision has transformed a piece of neglected land in to an area that will benefit the whole of the community. The ground has been cultivated to include a sensory garden, vegetable patch and a grassed area with park benches and picnic tables for disabled residents.

Pupils from Leigh Primary School on Walker Lane are also involved in the project and will now be tending to the garden.

Chair of the local residents’ association Don Dargavel said: “The garden will hopefully provide somewhere for the community to come together and become something of a focal point.

“When I think back to how the area had become neglected and overgrown with rubbish dumped on it and surrounded by damaged fencing, the transformation has been tremendous.

“Hopefully with the school children helping tend the garden, they will learn about their environment and look after their surroundings when they get older.”

Chief Constable Peter Fahy said: “It is a pleasure to be asked to open the garden that will benefit so many members of the community.

“The residents’ association has worked hard to improve this area for local people and it is by working together that Tameside can become a safer and more pleasant place to live and work.”

Tameside Chief Superintendent Zoë Hamilton, Councillors Joe Kitchen and Peter Robinson and New Charter Group Chief Executive Ian Munro also attended the event.

Ian Munro said: “It’s a transformation, but what’s great to see is the residents’ commitment to looking after this garden. Simply spending money to improve an area does not guarantee success. Here, Walker Estate Residents’ Association will ensure that this is an asset which everyone locally can use and be proud about.”

New Charter funded the £29,000 to create the garden, and Tameside council donated flowering plants as part of its Britain in Bloom efforts.
www.newcharter.co.uk