A NEW venture into horticulture is taking place at Horwich for many people who attend Farnworth MENCAP's Day Service.

This is now called SPICE, standing for Supporting People in Community Environments. And this year, (thanks to supportive people like staff at Bolton's Do It All store), they are beginning planting preparations for next year's flowers and vegetables on a new allotment in Lever Park Avenue.

A MENCAP spokesman said: "Many areas of community integration are not feasible because access is often difficult or impossible.

"SPICE is determined to explore and develop new and exciting ways to bring variety into the lives of people who may, because of a degree of disability or behaviour, find it difficult to become part of the wider community facility user group.

"With support from and help from caring people in the community, we can bring about changes for a group of people who are at a disadvantage."

SPICE hope, over the next 12 months, to persuade the Lottery Board to buy two family-type houses so that a variety of services can be offered. "Training people in a variety of self-help skills, pottery and, of course, gardening would be high on the list of things we could offer both to the people who are disadvantaged and the staff."

SPICE passes on its thanks to Do It All for their generous gift of gardening tools, and asks if there are any other shops, stores or individuals who could donate items of gardening equipment as this would be a real help. The

organisation is also always glad to hear from volunteers with time to spare. Ring Bolton 573107 or 694037 if YOU can help in any way.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.