Local school children name new play park near West Vale development

Schoolchildren who named a new play park next to First Choice Homes Oldham’s (FCHO) West Vale development were guests of honour when it was officially opened.

The pupils from Richmond Academy, The Harmony Trust were asked by the housing association to think of suitable names for the much-needed 150 square metre park at Broome Street it has funded.

Onyx class then came up with the winning name of Mill Town Park as the judges agreed it perfectly encapsulated Oldham’s cotton mill heritage.

The brief to the children was to find something linked to the local area’s industrial history as the £20 million project in Coldhurst comprising 88 homes was previously Bankside cotton mill.

Each class watched drone footage from FCHO showing the demolition through to the new buildings going up, and they got to work researching the history of Oldham to come up with names.

The £103,000 park - close to the school - boasts a see-saw, swings and other equipment all designed to give local families a fun place to enjoy quality time outdoors together.

The ribbon was cut by the children to officially open it recently and then they and guests toured West Vale as it nears completion.

“Thank you so much to all the pupils at Richmond Academy for showing so much enthusiasm and knowledge in coming up with some great names for the park,” said FCHO chief executive Mark Gifford, who was also one of the judges.

“West Vale is a new chapter for the area but it is so important we acknowledge its past industrial life and Mill Town Park does that beautifully.

"I know it will become a focal point for the wider community and the new residents of West Vale as they start to move into their new homes soon.

“The naming project is a good example of FCHO engaging with the local community and it is great we have made new friends at Richmond Academy and given the chance for our young to learn more about Oldham’s rich industrial past."

The other judges who took part were Oldham Council Deputy Leader, Cabinet Member for Value for Money and Sustainability and Coldhurst Ward Councillor Abdul Jabbar and Richmond Academy Trust leader Charlotte Smythe and school Principal Claire Rahman.

Ms Smythe said: “We set out a challenge to the classes and together they all came up with different names.

"The children have really, really engaged with this - they have loved learning about the history of Oldham and knowing they were going to play the important part of naming a park in their local community.”

And following the tour of West Vale, she added: “The children were left feeling very inspired and empowered.

"Whilst walking back to school, one little boy said: "I would like to build houses like that when I'm big!"

“The visit had a huge impact on them.

"It was truly a wonderful morning that the children won't ever forget, and I appreciate all the planning which made it happen.

“At Richmond Academy, we are very passionate about providing our pupils with as many different opportunities to develop their skills and learning.

"We do this through the 'Harmony Pledge' which aims to broaden children's experiences and aspirations.

"This fantastic opportunity with First Choice Homes Oldham has really supported this! Our Eco Team loved learning all about the new sustainable houses which also gave them a unique first hand experience of the Harmony pledge point 'Be an Eco Warrior'."

West Vale is FCHO’s biggest ever scheme and a mixture of 26 two, three and four-bedroom houses for shared ownership and 62 one and two-bed apartments for affordable rent.

All are sustainable and incorporate green technologies and energy efficiency measures.

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