Garden to bloom at Orchard

FORGOTTEN land has been transformed into a beautiful garden area thanks to Oldham District Freemason.

The group was approached by Orchard House, a mental health facility in Milton Street, Royton, and asked if it could assist with a makeover of the grounds.

Patients at Orchard House, which is run by Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, are helped in their recovery by exploring ways they can gain independence, including producing hanging baskets and floral displays. But they had nowhere to grow vegetables or put potting sheds.

The land, a mound at the rear of the property, has now been levelled, paved and a large greenhouse installed. A patio area and small raised garden have also been created by 12 volunteers in only five weeks, thanks to a donation of £4,000 from the East Lancashire Masonic Charity.

The garden was officially handed over by the freemasons’ assistant provincial grand master Alex McLaren, from the Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire.

Orchard House now plans to link up with Royton Hall Primary School and involve schoolchildren in a gardening project.