“Spruce Up” Longbarn

“Spruce up Longbarn”

This project is a set of sub-projects all about making and keeping Longbarn looking as good as we would want it to look.

The good work is clear to see for all residents.  We benefit from some of the best, if not the best, maintained green areas of any part of the town.  Many visitors and people who pass through have said how impressed, and even envious, they are.

As a result of this project, Longbarn was awarded a Level 5 (Outstanding) certificate in the Britain In Bloom (North West) 2016 competition – the highest level we could have been awarded, and this in our first entry into the competition!  This award is a reflection and recognition of all the efforts put in to spruce up our green spaces and shared areas.

NW In Bloom Certificate

There are a number of separate organisations that have a responsibility to maintain the green areas but residents agree that they find many of their efforts are non-existent, too slow to happen or of an inadequate quality.  It may be hard to accept that, but “it is what it is”.  LRA, supported by the hard-working volunteers, recognised that if we wanted Longbarn to look good and be a pleasant estate to live on, we had to do it ourselves.

The scope of the aspects addressed includes:-

 ·         Maintaining the planters – A very special feature of Longbarn that gives us an identity, looks great and sets us apart.

Planting up

The Planters

·         Cutting the grass on the verges.   This makes the sides of the roads look so much better.  LRA has bought a mower which can be used by anyone to do this.

·         Edging the grass verges.  The icing on the cake that takes the look of the verges up a level.

Edging the verges

·         Maintaining the large embankment on Harpers Road.  This area has been transformed.  It has had a massive tidy up and continues to be improved e.g. with the planting of bluebells and tulips.

·         Trimming shrubs that need attention.  Sometimes we just don’t want to wait for those responsible to get round to it.

Remember, the project is manned by volunteers from the estate whose support is essential for success.  More volunteers are always needed.  There are a number of dedicated people who turn up time and time again, but a large pool of helpers is required, otherwise, the same small number are putting in all the effort while the whole of the estate feels the benefit.

 Pease ask yourself, whether YOU couldn’t spare a little of your time to help make a difference.  You don’t have to do that much to make a valuable contribution.  An hour or two is good.  Contact one of the Committee, use the Contact Us page on this site or watch the website and just turn up when you see a call to help.

You will be very gratefully welcomed and you might feel the sense of pride in looking after the area you live in. 

Transforming the Embankment

Sam and Charlie Jones planting bulbs