Eco community scheme wins £3,000 to spend

A tranquil stream and views of Colliers Corner, the Bridgers Community Group

In the old mining town of Howe Bridge, a dedicated group of volunteers are quietly rescuing neglected green spaces and turning them into places for the whole community to enjoy. Christine Ridyard is treasurer of The Bridgers Community Group, which has cleaned up the entire area and created a litter-free, wildlife-friendly place to relax.

Japanese knotweed was destroying the native flora and fauna, and the beautiful stream was almost hidden. Christine,
plus more than 60 volunteers, including children from local schools, police, councillors and the Wigan and Leigh Young Offender Unpaid Work team, cleared the area, pulling out the weeds, cutting back overgrown bushes and cleaning up the stream. They've also landscaped a seating area with railway sleepers and planted a host of trees, plants and bulbs. ‘We were pleased to have so many volunteers, but they didn't need much encouraging,' says Christine. ‘Once people realised we were working on something for the whole community they just turned up and got stuck in.'

[quote]Named ‘Colliers Corner', as a tribute to the local miners, the site is unrecognisable today. Daily litter collections and a strong sense of ownership from the residents has kept the area free of vandalism and children now play safely nearby. In 2006 the area was pledged to the village by the local authority, which recognised that it couldn't maintain the site to the high standards set by the volunteers. ‘Knowing we've
improved the local environment and that people now care about the area is especially rewarding,' says Christine. ‘We'll be ploughing our prize money back into our projects and I think Keith, who's vice chair of the group, could do with a new lawn mower. Our next aim is to set up a horticultural nursery, where we can grow our own plants for use in the town.

RUNNER UP
Lady Lane Spinney, Jane Rogers and the Denby Footpaths Group, Denby, Derbyshire WIN £500 B&Q vouchers

Once an overgrown tree plantation, the Lady Lane Spinney has been transformed by Jane Rogers and this group, as well as a host of volunteers, including schoolchildren who planted 500 English bluebell bulbs. Today courses are run in bird watching and traditional hedge laying, to encourage visits to the spinney and ensure the area is managed properly. ‘People use the spinney as a place to walk and enjoy the wildlife,' says Jane, ‘and the local school uses the site as an outdoor classroom. It's been satisfying to watch the wildflowers take root and in spring to see the hedge return to life.'