Praise after reopening of Rock Garden at Moss Bank Park

The garden, one of two gardens in the middle of Moss Bank Park, reopened to the public at all times last month.

In 2012 it reopened to the public at certain times after a big boost in the form of tens of thousands of pounds from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Some highlights are a bright red bridge and a Wych Elm from the Silver Jubilee of George V.

Paul Thompson in The Rock Garden (Image: Newsquest)

However it ran into difficulties due to a lack of someone to lock it and unlock it, and a lack of resources to look after it, as well as the coronavirus crisis and the damage done by a storm which tore up one of the trees more than two years ago.

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The Friends of Moss Bank Park, the friends group of more than 20 years, took on the task of bringing it back into use.

The Bolton News talked to two members, Margaret Irwin and Paul Thompson, on a trip to the popular park this week.

Ms Irwin, a member of six years from Smithills, said: "There were a few people who were committed to keeping it looking good. It is looking good and there are really, really unusual plants.

"There are a lot of people coming to the garden saying how much they remember coming to the garden as a child."

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Mr Thompson, a member of 14 years from Smithills, said: "When I was younger it was considered a spring garden. All of the shrubs, the azaleas and the rhododendrons, come out in spring so it is open a bit too late this year but at least it is open.

"We are hoping it inspires people to come in and we are hoping it inspires one or two people to volunteer with us."

Garry Veevers, a councillor for the area and the leader of the Lib Dem Group in the council chamber, thanked the Friends of Moss Bank Park on the behalf of the community.

On Tuesday every week the friends group assembles outside the Walled Garden, opposite the Rock Garden, to work on the two gardens for two hours from 10am to 12pm.

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Cllr Veevers said: "Because of cutbacks we cannot rely on councils to do what the volunteers have done so I am really, really pleased and really, really proud of what the volunteers have done.

"We thank them for what they are doing because it is a good advert for the park and a good advert for Bolton and Smithills."

For information on the Friends of Moss Bank Park and other friends groups go to boltongreenumbrella.org.uk/local-groups.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.