In Progress Projects

“It’s still quite early days, but people are already saying that they feel safer in the valley. There used to be a lot of drug users down there. Abandoned cars were also a problem. But things are improving, and there’s money available to achieve a great deal more.”

Roch Valley Community Project
LOCATION Greater Manchester
MANAGING ORGANISATION Friends of Roch Valley / BCTV
THE PROBLEM
Roch Valley is old cotton mill country, located between Rochdale and Bury. During the 19th century there were up to fourteen mills along a three mile stretch of the River Roch. Today the valley is made up of dense natural foliage and interesting ruins from the Industrial age. However, because the space has been neglected it has attracted anti-social behaviour and is not being used to its full potential.

THE PROGRESS SO FAR
BTCV have appointed Mike McDermott, a resident of nearby St Helens, as a Local Ranger for Roch Valley. Click here for more...

Mike’s challenge is to capitalise on the area’s assets. The long term aim is to involve the community in the regeneration of the valley in order to rebuild their sense of pride in their surroundings.

Mike’s day job involves communicating his message to as many people as possible:

“I spend a lot of time at the local school, talking to the kids. The headmaster is absolutely great, really motivated by environmental issues. I also take kids on walking trips around the Valley. For this project to be successful the kids are so important.”

“I liaise with dog walkers, who probably use the walkways as much as anyone, as well as ramblers associations and fishing groups,”

He also leads walking tours, usually with a theme, perhaps litter picking or a visit to an abandoned mill.

One initiative that has already been carried out is the planting of a new 2,000-tree wood at the top of the valley. The trees were planted by a group of children from the local primary school, with support from the local community forest.

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
Currently Mike is working on a woodland management plan with the Friends of the Roch Valley, a 14-strong group of local residents. This will involve a Planning for Real event, where everybody from the area is invited to express their opinions about the future development of Roch Valley.

GET INVOLVED
For further details or to discuss any ideas you have contact Mike McDermott T. 01706 366464, E. m.mcdermott@btcv.org.uk

“I met a lady the other day who told me that said she likes walking. So I told her about Roch Valley. She said, ‘that sounds great, where is it?’ Its 300 yards from her house.”

Mike McDermott, the BTCV Local Ranger for Roch Valley