A green fund has helped community schemes in Bolton – and more funding is still available.
Green Spaces Fund is a Greater Manchester-wide programme which aims to improve or create green spaces in the city region by funding community projects invested in that aim.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, announced that 21 community projects had been awarded funding at the Greater Manchester Green Summit last week.
Bolton North East Wildlife Trail (NEWT) in Breightmet is one such project, aiming to preserve and enhance the biodiversity of Leverhulme Park, as well as surrounding parks.
Bolton NEWT will enhance the biodiversity of Leverhulme Park through 24 conservation volunteer sessions, 100 sessions at the Garstang Hub, 10 well-being walks, provide educational videos, photography, two guided bat walks and two large community events engaging the local community, which sits in the top 10 per cent for deprivation in the UK.
A spokesperson for Bolton NEWT said: “A big thank you goes to Greater Manchester Environment Fund for making this grant, specifically getting community and conservation together in one fund.”
They added: “Leverhulme Park makes up a wildlife corridor, along with Moses Gate, Seven Acres Park, Firwood Fold and Longsight Park, all separated by a few streets.
“Volunteer-led groups have the Garstang Hub. Primarily the hub is for socialising, it’s not just there to train up and volunteer, people can have a brew, a chat, something to eat and enjoy themselves.”
The spokesperson highlighted wooden poppy displays on Bury Road, mowing and planting of seeds done in Leverhulme Park and community events that would all be helped by the money from the grant.
They added: “The biodiversity is going to be off the charts. The community aspect is entirely free, the general public aspect all people even if not directly involved can see the benefits, with the Bury Road poppies and the fields of wildflowers.
“We had 600 to 700 people at our picnic in Leverhulme Park, we’re going to be doing that again this year.”
Another nearby community project that will benefit from the funding is the City of Trees scheme in Walkden, which has been granted £40,000.
It will use the money to help the local community to green Walkden Road by introducing street trees as sustainable drainage systems, with integrated rain gardens, it being a key route for those travelling to Walkden Town Centre, Walkden Train Station and the RHS Bridgewater.
Green Spaces Fund has also granted funding to community projects in Bury, Oldham and Salford, among other areas.
Mr Burnham, said: “I’m so pleased at the wide range of schemes we’ve been able to support through the first round of the Green Spaces Fund. It’s also great to see every Greater Manchester borough benefit in some way.
“Everyone should have access to some kind of green space, whether it’s a place to grow fresh food, plant trees, meet new people, learn new skills or simply enjoy being close to nature.
"I’m really proud to see local people taking ownership of such fantastic projects that add value to their community and the environment and that’s what the Green Spaces Fund is all about.
“We’ll soon launch the second round of funding and I encourage anyone who wants to develop or improve a green space in their community to apply.”
The second round of funding through the Green Spaces Fund opens on October 31.
There are two types of grants available: grants up to £10,000 and grants between £10,000 and £40,000.
For more information and to apply when applications re-open, visit the Greater Manchester Environmental Fund website.
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