Growing up

BLOOMING marvellous . . . Children from Hodge Clough junior school get planting with the help of Groundwork Oldham and Rochdale and BPP Law school in Manchester — pictured, from left, are George Crawford, Gemma Russell (Groundwork), Emma Russell, Joshua Smith and Joyce Ebiagbe (BPP law school)

WE may be waiting for Christmas, but pupils at Hodge Clough are already looking forward to a blooming good New Year — thanks to Groundwork Oldham and Rochdale.

The Sholver School has been awarded £500 from the St James’ Community Chest so that they can plant fruit and vegetables in the school grounds, and the youngsters are already getting stuck in.

The moves are part of the Groundwork’s Wellbeing project, which encourages healthier lifestyles, and staff from the organisation lent a hand in getting the planters set up.

And they were joined by 14 students from the BPP Law School in Manchester, working as business in the community volunteers.

Gemma Russell, a St James’s community development officer, said: “I’m so grateful for the volunteers who are helping us install and begin this project in Sholver.”

Scarlett Dowdall, one of the volunteers, said: “It is easy to forget about the community around us when living our modern, busy lifestyles. Participating in these events brings the community closer together.”

Rebecca Falvey, community engagement officer for business in the community, said: “Cares is business in the community’s national employee volunteering programme and connects employees with their communities. We are delighted that BPP law school chose to help Hodge Clough Junior School by undertaking a gardening project in conjunction with Groundwork.”