Green Gym in Ellesmere Port

It all started when Paula Blair was walking near her home and, to her surprise, a young relative complained to her about a large pile of litter on the street.

It does not have to be that way, thought Paula, so she, her friend Lorna Jeffs and fellow neighbours in Stanney Grange, Ellesmere Port, decided they were going to do something about it.

That was at the start of the year. Nowadays members of the Friends of Stanney get together each week to tidy various areas of their community.

They also organise special events when possible – including a function for VE Day and a sports day – as well as arranging community activities to help keep children occupied during school holidays in a low-cost way.

Efforts of the Friends of Stanney have not gone unnoticed and members are now engaged in a 12-week Green Gym pilot project arranged through Neil McMahon of the Conservation Volunteers who turns up each week alongside volunteers from Chester Zoo and other organisations to help spruce up the patch.

Ellesmere Port and Bromborough MP Justin Madders is also supportive of the project, as is the Mayor of Ellesmere Port, Councillor Katie Kendrick, while Wolverham ward councillor John Stockton is a regular at the weekly sessions. The volunteers are particularly pleased that they were able to clear and make safe an alleyway near The Oaks Community Primary School.

Paula is in no doubt that community relations in Stanney Grange are improving and she is looking forward to Girl Guides being established in the area.

Paula and Lorna are now proud members of the Ward Board for Wolverham which council officer Collette Littler and Cllr Stockto have set up. This enables them, with other organisations working in the ward, to input their ideas about how to improve the Wolverham ward and make important contributions along the way.

Volunteers start off from outside the shops in Alnwick Drive at 10am on Thursdays for sessions lasting up to four hours and newcomers are welcome.

Paula said:

“Just come along to meet fellow residents, even if it’s just to have a cup of tea, “

Pictured – Lead volunteers Paula Blair and Lorna Jeffs.