SHAW student Kurt Stubbs has been getting down and dirty helping to transform neglected woodland areas.
The 19-year-old is a Level 3 Landscaping, Gardening and Aquaponics student at Hopwood Hall College and has been working with Rochdale Council’s Green Volunteers restoring green areas and community spaces.
“While it has been cold, wet, hard work, we have all enjoyed it knowing it’s for other people’s benefit as well as the local environment,” said Kurt.
“It’s great for us too in terms of work experience and doing some practical learning outside of the classroom.
“I just hope the local community get out and use it all now!”
Kurt and his fellow students gave the community task force what would be a normal month’s worth of volunteers in the space of a few days.
In addition to general clean ups, the group created new pathways, hedgerows for wildlife and carried out habitat management to give both the public and nature a healthier and safer environment.
The students’ work follows numerous community projects from the Hopwood Hall College course, such as the restoration of parts of Rochdale Canal and the grand gardens of the listed Hopwood Hall.