Grant aids the fight against knotweed

GREENFINGERED residents are ready to declare all out war on Japanese knotweed and Himalayan balsam, thanks to a lottery grant.

Saddleworth Parish Council has scooped £1,870 to attack the plants, which crowd out native species of and wildflowers.

It will join forces with Groundwork to educate people in how to spot and deal with the invasive weeds, and will co-ordinate an effort to remove the plants before they seed later in the summer.

Graham Gibbons, Groundwork Oldham and Rochdale communities team leader, said: “This is a very beautiful place, but non-indigenous species like the balsam colonise areas, destroy riverbanks and in winter leave ground exposed and liable to erosion.

“The situation is pretty bad. One balsam plant can produce 700 seeds that can lie dormant for three years. It just keeps spreading.

“We’re very passionate about this area and we’re going to do everything we can to solve the problem.”

The project was one of four in Oldham and 100 in the North-West to benefit from a lottery windfall totalling £726,221.

Rainbow

Other groups celebrating include the Rainbow Room parents carers and toddlers’ group in Limeside, which will use £3,069 to take around 20 children from disadvantaged backgrounds on trips to Blackpool Zoo and Knowsley Safari Park.

The Rainbow Room’s treasurer, Alison Hands, said: “It’s a chance for children, carers and parents to have fun. Many have never been near a zoo before and it will be so exciting for them to get new experiences and to see the animals.

“These trips couldn’t have happened without this funding. It’s an opportunity many of our children wouldn’t otherwise have been able to afford.”

Wrigley Head Residents’ Group, Failsworth, has received £10,000 to convert a rundown alleyway into a community space, and Gravelhole Methodist Church, Thornham, has been awarded £10,000 to improve its facilities for the disabled.

Michelle McNamee, Big Lottery Fund head of the North-West region, said: “It’s great to see Saddleworth Parish Council preserving its countryside and acting now so that future generations are aware how best to protect the environment.

“We’re delighted to help this and 99 other terrific initiatives reach their goals with close to £750,000 in Lottery awards this month.”