Incredible change in alleyways
RESIDENTS TRANSFORM DULL BACK STREETS
A SELECTION of dull alleyways in Levenshulme Manchester have been transformed into oases of calm and tranquillity thanks to the imagination and hard work of local people.
Residents came together over four days to clear rubbish and plant a selection of flowers and herbs in alleyways behind Elmgate Grove in Levenshulme.
Improvements began when neighbours spent hours removing fly-tipped rubbish, litter, soil and moss from the rear of their properties – primarily the alleyways behind 1-9 Elmgate Grove and to the side of 18 Elmgate Grove.
Following the clean-up, 12 student volunteers from the University of Manchester lent a hand to plant fruit and veg as part of the ‘Incredible Edible’ project – a scheme that aims to give local communities the opportunity to grow their own sustainable fruits and vegetables while improving local biodiversity.
Work continued with planters being create out of old railway sleepers to provide dedicated plots for residents to grow flowers or veg plants.
The new planters already boast a wide variety of flora, including plum, damson apple, cherry and pear trees as well as selection of herbs and fruit bushes.
And plans are already afoot to add to the diverse planting, with roses, potatoes, carrots, spring onions, garlic and runner beans all being added.
To help pay for the improvements the residents received a £400 grant from Manchester City Council along with the loan of equipment and tools.
Local business also got involved allowing the volunteers access to their facilities and providing storage space for materials and to store a huge container skip – which was used for all the refuse that was cleared. The alleyways are already proving a hit locally, having been opened up to the public for the recent Levenshulme Open Gardens festival, which took place on June 3. The festival saw residents invite people into their gardens to showcase their horticultural skills and offer advice to other aspiring community gardeners.
And the work is far from complete as residents of Elmgate Grove continue to build on local efforts. The project has been entered into this year’s In Bloom competition and plans are under way to add a secure shed and polycarbonate green house.
Coun Nigel Murphy, Manchester City Council executive member for neighbourhoods, said “The metamorphosis of the alleyways off Elmgate Grove is truly miraculous and goes to show what can be achieved when we all work together.
“The hard work of Levenshulme residents is an example to us to all and I can’t wait to see their future plans blossom.”