A group of volunteers aiming to improve the woodland in the Tame Valley is now a month old and it has just found out that its first bid for grant funding has been successful.
The Friends of Tame Valley was formed in February by Denton MP Andrew Gwynne, who is secretary, as well as local councillors including Denise Ward, who is the group's chair.
It has already held its first AGM and has over 100 members.
The group was set up to secure improvements to the section of the Tame Valley which runs from Shepley Woods in Audenshaw, through Jet Amber Fields, and along the Upper Haughton and Whittles Meadows to Mill Lane in Haughton Green.
Dedicated volunteers of all ages have already shifted over 200 bin bags of rubbish from across the area, after arranging their own litter picks to work in their own bubbles.
On Wednesday (17 March), the group learnt that it will receive £6,420 after applying to the Bradley Park Community Fund.
A statement said: "It is the first grant we have been successful with, and what a way to celebrate our first month as a constituted group!
"The funding is limited to the Landcare part of the Tame Valley, and is to be spent on maintenance work, habitat renewal and restoring paths, signs and fences.
"We are applying for other grants to make improvements and enhancements across all our parts of the Tame Valley, but this sum will get the ball rolling.
"Thank you to Bradley Park Community Fund and Landcare (Manchester) Ltd for your support for the Friends of the Tame Valley."
Councillor Ward, Chair of the Friends of the Tame Valley said: “I am delighted that our grant application has been approved. This money will allow us to make some real and lasting improvements to these sections of the Tame Valley, for the benefit of the whole community. On behalf of the whole group, I’d like to thank the Bradley Park Community Fund for making this funding available to us.”
Connor Martin, Vice Chair, commented: “This fantastic news tops off a really successful first month for the Friends of the Tame Valley. We’ve already collected over 200 bags of rubbish from across the Tame Valley, making the area a cleaner, more pleasant place to be.”
Andrew Gwynne, Secretary of the group, added: “We’re all really excited to be involved with this group and to see the difference we’ve been able to make already. We’re a very welcoming group and I’d encourage anyone reading to get in touch and get involved.”
Anyone interested in joining the group can email either GwynneA@parliament.uk or denise.ward@tameside.gov.uk
Read more from the Tameside Reporter
Click here for more of the latest news
Click here to read the latest edition of the paper online
Click here to find out where you can pick up a copy of the paper
Ashton restaurant threatens to expose dine and dashers after they scarper leaving £159 bill for food and cocktails
Sound of music at The Vale as venue announces new gigs
Mooch and natter in Mossley this May with the 2024 GM Walking Festival
Hyde theatre receives £20K funding boost from the People's Postcode Lottery
