A moving service marked the official opening of the newly transformed Avenue Parade Gardens in Accrington, the latest addition to a growing series of ‘pocket parks’ brought to life with the help of students from Lancashire Adult Learning (LAL) as part of an ambitious town centre greening initiative.
The opening event was particularly special, coinciding with the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.
To mark the occasion, two new pieces of public art were unveiled, adding to Accrington’s growing collection of artwork that celebrates the town’s heritage, culture and community.
The students worked in close partnership with Hyndburn Borough Council to bring the space to life, gaining valuable hands-on experience.
The gardens now feature fresh new planting installed with the help of Level 2 horticulture students from Lancashire Adult Learning led by their expert tutor Kate Wels:
“This has been an inspiring opportunity for our students on a project that will leave a lasting legacy for the local community.
“By contributing to the creation of this vibrant new public space, our learners have played a key role in enhancing Accrington town centre while gaining valuable, hands-on experience that will support their future careers in horticulture and landscaping.
“Projects like this demonstrate the far-reaching impact of adult learning across East Lancashire. It helps transform public spaces into places the community can enjoy, as well as equipping local people with the skills, confidence and opportunities to build successful futures.”
The transformation of Avenue Parade Gardens reflected what can be achieved when partners come together with a shared vision.
Sarah Howarth ,Director of Tailored Learning at Lancashire Adult Learningattended the opening. She described the day as a genuinely proud moment:
“Standing in front of the sculpture this morning was incredibly moving.
“When you stop and think about the message behind it and the fact that we were gathered here on the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, it really does take your breath away.
“This has been a true community effort, and to see our LAL students’ hard work bring these gardens back to life is something we can all feel proud of.
“It’s a wonderful example of what we can create when we work together for our town.
“Next time you’re heading towards ARC, look to your right on Eastgate and enjoy this incredible piece of work.”
The pocket park initiative continues to green the town centre, one space at a time, thanks to the dedication of students, staff, and partners across Hyndburn.
The project formed part of wider regeneration work supported through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which continues to help revitalise Accrington town centre.
Interested in horticulture? We’ve a whole host of courses starting soon.
Sign up: https://lal.eastlancslearning.ac.uk/professional-learning/subject-area/horticulture/
