Trainees counting on their chickens

Trainees counting on their chickens

THE garden centre at Chadderton Hall Park has taken delivery of 16 new feathered friends.

And the team of horticultural trainees whose job it is to care for them, are eagerly waiting for the chickens to lay their first eggs.

The venture is a new one for the ever-expanding garden centre, which is also branching out into growing plants for cut flowers.

Eggs from the free-range chickens, along with bunches of fresh flowers, will soon be for sale from a new shop..

They will be on the sale alongside plants, shrubs and trees, and a range of handmade garden furniture and bird tables.

The garden centre acts as a stepping stone into work for people with learning disabilities.

Eight of the 15-strong team are on duty at the centre each day, and with the arrival of spring, the plot is a hive of activity.

It’s all systems go for the trainees, who are planting and potting on, watering and feeding, painting pots and creating spring flower arrangements, and taking their turns to tend the chickens.

The garden centre is linked with a project called Together into Employment (TIE) which provides support to help people gain and improve skills with the ultimate aim of getting a job. It opened in 2005 and has gone from strength to strength.

It is non-profit making, and all the money from sales is ploughed back into the service.

Rebecca Mears has been working there for two weeks, and got the job through TIE.

She said: “It’s my first ever job and I love it. I love being outside and it’s a challenge getting to know the names of plants.”

Cabinet member for adult services and health, Councillor Brian Lord, popped into the garden centre to look at the new arrivals.

He said: “It’s great to see the chickens have arrived and the trainees are doing a fantastic job of looking after them.

“I am looking forward to trying some of the free range eggs!”

Chadderton Hall Park garden centre is open from 10am to 3.30pm, seven days a week.