AN ASHTON primary school is on its way to a cleaner, greener future after some 60 trees were planted in its grounds.
And this is the start of something bigger for Holden Clough as it is applying to have forest school status.
As part of Clean Air Day on Thursday, June 16, the school’s council was joined by head girl Sophia Devlin and head boy Oliver Ogden-Brezzi and year three pupils, to start what is hoped will become a transformation.
Local resident Stuart Harris-Heffer has been driving the campaign at the St Albans Avenue school, supported by Ashton Hurst Cllr Dan Costello.
“If you want to get anything taken seriously or have commitment or passion, you’ve got to get children involved,” said Mr Harris-Heffer.
“What better place to do it? There are a lot of parking problems around here and a lot of people come to school in their cars.
“If the children can say ‘Don’t idle your cars’ or ‘Park half way and let’s walk to school and learn about clean air’ that’s what it’s all about – the environment.
“I just got involved. I thought, ‘Nobody had done so, so we’re doing it.’ I’m surprised really at how the clean air education has been embraced.
“And I’d like to see more schools get involved. There are six in this area and three are involved already. I’d like to do it next year – I’d like them to like to do it next year.”
Cllr Costello added: “The issue of air quality is part of the general discussion. One thing everyone agrees with is ‘We want cleaner air, we want a better environment’.”