TV gardening guru returns to his roots

GARDENERS' World presenter Joe Swift (centre) with former apprentices Paul Byrne, Chris Woods, Michael Shaw and Andy Marsland

TV gardener Joe Swift took a trip down memory lane at Alexandra Park ­- 10 years after he first came to town.

The Gardeners' World presenter caught up with four former horticultural and arboricultural apprentices he interviewed in 2006 for a feature on the nation's public parks.

While attending an event in the area, he returned to find out how Paul Byrne, Andy Marsland, Michael Shaw and Chris Woods are getting on.

Supervising

Paul went on to become deputy head gardener of grade II-listed park and is now a greenspace officer, which includes supervising the team which creates Oldham's winning North West in Bloom entries.

He said: "When I first met Joe he showed how we could make a career out of horticulture and I haven't looked back since.

"I started my career at Oldham Council as an apprentice in 2001 and in 2005 I was awarded the title of Association for Public Excellence Young Horticulturist of the Year.

"Since then I have progressed to officer level. This is testament to the management and excellent training provided by Oldham Council."

Andy, Michael and Chris also continue to work for Oldham's environmental services team.

Councillor Barbara Brownridge, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and co-operatives, said: "Joe has had a long working relationship with Oldham Council and it's good he has come back to visit the four apprentices he first met 10 years ago.

"All four have helped maintain and look after Alexandra Park which culminated in it becoming one of the first green spaces in the North West to attain a grade II-listing.

"Thanks to apprenticeship schemes and the talent that comes into fruition as a result of them, we have a fantastic national reputation and some of the best public parks in Britain, including Alexandra Park which has been given the accolade of a Green Flag Award."