Alder Grange students help Rawtenstall bloom

Reporter: Viva PR
Date online: 25 June 2010

Green-fingered students from a Rawtenstall secondary school have been helping to make the town bloom this summer.

Year 10 students at Alder Grange Community & Technology School have brightened up a Rawtenstall landmark by planting pansies, gazanias, begonias and chrysanthemums. The horticulture students were put to the test planting flowers in the bed around the metal tree by Tesco, on Bocholt Way.

Sue Jeffries, of Myerscough College, who leads the course said: “The planting was part of the horticulture course the students are involved in. They were being assessed on their technical planting as well as their teamwork. They worked hard digging up the weeds and dead plants before putting the new ones in place.

“The students have been working at Whitaker Park and other sites in the valley, and their work has had a positive impact in Rossendale.”

Leabrook Nurseries provided the plants, which were funded by Alder Grange and community action group Civic Pride.

David Hampson, Head of School at Alder Grange, added: “The students are doing a lot of work with Civic Pride and Rossendale Borough Council at the moment to help keep the area looking tidy and attractive. It’s great to see the level of pride they take in their local community.”

The Year 10 horticulture group is led by Myerscough College, which takes 14-16 year old students from schools across Rossendale. Some of the students are hoping to continue their horticulture studies at Alder Grange’s new £8m Sixth Form, which will provide science labs and will run a Level 2 Btec First Diploma Horticulture course.

Alder Grange, based on Calder Road, Rawtenstall opens its £8m state-of-the art sixth form in December. It will cater for 300 students and will include: science laboratories; a media studio and performance space; an industry standard catering kitchen; nursery and creche facilities for child development students; horticulture facilities, plus ICT and library facilities.