The Castlefield Viaduct temporary project from the National Trust has transformed a disused Victorian era railway viaduct into an urban garden for two years and has attracted visitors from across Greater Manchester and beyond.
But the team have also been working off the viaduct to inspire communities to come together and create green urban spaces of their own.
One example is the garden at the Guidance Hub in Cheetham Hill. Sited in one of the most diverse areas of the UK.
The Guidance Hub is a Community Centre with a focus on Islamic education and spirituality as well as serving the whole community. They offer everything from study classes to after school football sessions. Castlefield Viaduct helped them take over a car park and create a garden.
It was built by National Trust’s community partner, Sow The City, using recycled materials and the National Trust provided plants and expertise to keep it growing. The Hub have set up a gardening club and with the viaduct’s team support, the local Strong Roots Community Interest Company has received Family Hub funding to provide a Community Engagement Officer. They will reach out to others in the community and lead nature and wellbeing sessions in the new garden and other places in the area.
Through funding provided by the National Trust’s relationship with Autotrader, the garden will also be expanded to include a pond, planters for trees, mural and more growing space.
Young people from the community have already been learning how to look after the plants and connect with nature, an important part of Islamic culture. Razia Ahmed, Manchester Quaran Academy Group Leader, said ‘The boys from class Yaqeen from our Madrassah are cultivating more than just gardens; they’re nurturing their souls and fostering a deeper connection to nature and our faith. Joining hands with the National Trust to nurture our connection to Allah’s creation.’
In summer 2023, the viaduct team collaborated with Strong Roots, Your Housing Group, Manchester City Council and Manchester Active to be part of a street party at Lok Fu Gardens, a social housing association area also in Cheetham Hill. The residents brought up the issue of some unmanaged land near the houses and their hopes to make it into something for the community.
With the National Trust’s advocacy, Your Housing Group have commissioned Sow The City, to create designs for the development of the land into a space for people and wildlife including an urban orchard and seating area.
These were suggested by the resident’s during community consultations in partnership with the National Trust team. With further support from the Castlefield Viaduct team, Strong Roots will apply for external funding to bring the designs to life after more community consultations in early 2024. This development, led by the residents of Lok Fu Gardens, will continue to grow in the year to come.
More community work has taken place directly at Castlefield Viaduct. For six weeks in Autumn 2023, Manchester Hospital Schools Leo Kelly School and Galaxy House came to Castlefield Viaduct for 6 weeks to begin their Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
The viaduct provided a local, welcoming green space in a calm setting that allows the students to volunteer and gain new skills.
Castlefield Viaduct is due to close in autumn 2024 but the National Trust team are currently seeking funding for a permanent future.
Part of that future will include more work around Greater Manchester that will empower communities to green their own areas and improve access to nature there or provide a space where groups that need a supported wellbeing environment can find it. Most importantly, the community work Castlefield Viaduct hopes to continue is about collaborating with all the people of Greater Manchester to create places where they can discover the joys of connecting with nature and improving lives in the process.
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