A GROUP of volunteers has come together to restore a Radcliffe landmark.

Headed up by Eric and Tracy Owen of Little Britain Anglers alongside Radcliffe Litter Pickers and using a grant from the Bury Community Fund, work has been taking place to spruce up the model of a canal barge on Water Street.

The barge reflects Radcliffe’s heritage as a major stop on the The Manchester Bolton and Bury Canal, which is now culverted under Water Street.

“It has been repainted and flowers have been planted,” said Gill Smith, of Radcliffe Litter Pickers. “ A bridge has also been added so it looks like the barge is coming out of a tunnel.”

The Woodies, a Men In Sheds group, also provided some raised beds with the Radcliffe Rotary Club involved with the planting.

“It has been a really good collaboration,” said Gill. “We’re on fire at the moment in Radcliffe with this sort of stuff.”

Gill is hoping this marks the start of even more work between the groups under the banner ‘Growing Together Radcliffe’.

Another project is planned for Church Street West, headed by Tina Harrison, who also co-ordinates Growing Together and Trinity Foodbank.

Gill said: “The litter picking especially has absolutely taken off and we’ve gone from having about 100 members at the beginning of last year to around 850 now.

“We’ve all made so many friends and it’s been a great way for people to meet each other.

“It’s made Radcliffe residents realise we need to come together, be kind, look out of the vulnerable in the community and push for change.”

For more information visit: facebook.com/grow.tog.rad