Ken’s artwork was at cutting hedge
●●10 YEARS AGO:
FUNNY-LOOKING hedges are a rare find in Castleton but one hiding in a back street has proven popular with some local residents.
Property repairs man Ken Jones, who has a barn on the site in Rodney Street, decided one day to trim the hedge into an interesting shape and what materialised was the face of a man with a funky hair-do.
Mr Jones, of Alder Road, said: “I just did it for a bit of fun one day when it was raining. It’s been an ongoing thing.
“The eyes need to be made a little bit deeper, but when the leaves grow you have to keep cutting it back.
“I don’t think much of it now, but I suppose it’s a novelty if you haven’t seen it before. I think it needs a haircut.”
Mr Jones took up his hedge cutters and started the masterpiece in 2006.
Residents have stopped by on occasion with some people even bringing their grandchildren for a sneaky peak.
One resident who stopped to have a look said: “He’s very artistic and it looks very nice.” ARMY cadets were in for the time of their lives when they set off on an adventure holiday with a military flavour.
The Rochdale cadets visited the Penhale army camp near Newquay for some summertime soldering, each spending seven action-packed days learning new skills and having fun.
Major Tom Cornmell said: “It is a camp right on the seaside, there is a private beach to the side of the camp and the cadets go there in the evening to play sports.
“During the day they have been doing an expedition along the Cornish coastline.”
Cadets had the chance to try out a whole range of exciting and adventurous activities, all under expert tuition. CHILDREN and adults alike were brought together for a fun-packed day at Belfield Community School.
The event, organised by Hamer Youth Group, was attended by more than 300 and was aimed at uniting people from different communities.
Community development worker Kate Arnold said: “The day was great fun despite all the rain. It didn’t put anyone off.”
Although the weather did not help, youngsters were still entertained by bouncy castles, cycle rides and face painting.
The event also helped to raise £900 for the Apagao project, which tackles poverty in Africa and helps young people to improve their lives.
As well as the fun day there was a football tournament involving teams from the area.
Ms Arnold said: “The whole day was about getting people together to have a bit of fun.” FIFTEEN-YEAR-OLD Aarthi Ravishankar was all smiles after achieving 10 A* grades.
Aarthi, from Bamford, a pupil of Hulme Grammar School scored one of the top five marks in the country for her French paper.
Aarthi said: “I was really shocked when I saw my results and I was shaking with excitement. The first thing I did was ring my dad.
“I had no idea that I had done so well.”
Another high-achieving Hulme Grammar pupil from Rochdale was Emma Washington.
The pair headed a successful group at the school who achieved a 97 per cent pass rate.
Hulme Grammar principle Dr Paul Neeson said: “We are delighted for the pupils and their teachers with another year of academic achievement.
“Their diligence and commitment to study has provided a firm basis for success at advanced level and beyond.” CHILDREN at Newhey at Milnrow bridleways club took to horseback as they went in search of hidden treasure.
A good time was had by all at the treasure hunt at Hollingworth Business and Enterprise College.
Around 14 people set off from the school for a three-mile circular ride.
Elaine Scanlon, joint chairman of the club said: “The weather wasn’t good but it was a pleasure just to try it out.
“Everybody enjoyed it and they all ended up with a rosette. We are hoping to do another one.
“We will just go over what we did because everyone enjoyed it, but it will be on a different route.” A husband and wife team opened the doors of Rochdale’s first specialist Asian florists last week.
Mohammed Arshad and his wife Munaza Yasmine, who is originally from Pakistan, own and run Designer Florist in Milnrow Road.
They decided to go for it as a joint project now their children are at school.
Mr Arshad of Newbold Hall Drive said: “There is no other Asian florist in Rochdale and I believe we are the only one in the Manchester area.
“My wife and I are Asian so we understand their needs and can provide exactly what they want.
Mr Arshad recovers road vehicles as his main job but added to his duties for the sake of his wife, who loves flowers and wanted a role outside the home.
Mr Arshad said: “Munaza loves flowers and we wanted to sun a business together. We thought, why not something we love with work?
“Our three daughters and our son are all at school so she was looking for something extra to do and no-one dislikes flow-