VOLUNTEERS turned out in their droves to help start the next stage of a green area’s transformation.
And new trees and saplings are in place and sponsored to make sure Dane Bank Green Space is here to stay.
People of all ages got their wellies and gloves on to put in about 70 semi-mature trees and 200 saplings over the weekend of March 19 and 20.
Chair Amanda Jones, Danny McKay of Tameside’s People 4 Wildlife and project manager Bob Rutt were joined by several community volunteers as the land off Windsor Road’s transformation goes on.
And soon plaques may be appearing in honour of the people who dug deep and planted trees.
Dane Bank Green Space was given the chance to use the land after private renter Ian Carmichael – who uses it for horse grazing – relinquished part of his agreement on the Tameside Council-owned site.
The Tameside’s People For Wildlife group will eventually use it as its base and the Kids Go Wild forest school will use part of it as a classroom.
In May, contractors will install a new entrance and access gate, an accessible-for-all footpath on to the field and around the main field pond.
There will also be a small, temporary car park for two vehicles put on site, enabling wheelchair users to also access the site.
Tameside’s People For Wildlife will also begin their work building rescue aviaries and a bat house on their site opposite
Once the footpath installation is completed, a grand opening event will be held.
And later this year, a funding bid will be submitted to the Big Lottery for help with phase two – a lodge on the green space which will be used for education in nature, wildlife, ecology and wellbeing and will also be a ‘hub’ enabling them to host a wide variety of community events.
Amanda said: “The weekend was a resounding success! It was lovely that so many people and families came to support and help shape the future of the green space.
All the trees were planted on the Saturday and will form a natural boundary to the area that will be used by Kids Go Wild.
“On the Sunday, we planted the saplings to help create a natural border at the end of the green space.
“It was really interesting over the weekend to listen to residents’ stories of their history and links to the greenspace and why planting a tree there was so special to them.
“People have connection to the green space dating back over 50 years.
“This year is a very exciting time for Dane Bank Green Space as we begin to see our vision and plans come to fruition!
“The local community helped shape this vision through the many public consultations we have held over the last five years.
“We couldn’t have done any of this without everyone’s support and we are so grateful. It’s an honour to be able to ‘give back’ to the community and provide a facility that will be for everyone in Dane Bank and surrounding areas to enjoy.”