Tree Planting

Middleton Shopping Centre is extremely environmentally conscious and is pleased to be contributing to the many projects taking place across the borough, by giving back to nature and undertaking the planting of trees in our local parks.

Our Centre Manager, Marie Gribben, contacted the council with the proposal of planting a tree for every Christmas tree that the centre had used during the festive period. We committed to planting 27 trees in total and with an initial £2,000 donation, the first 11 trees, plus a further five trees donated by the council now feature at Limefield Park, King George V Playing Field, Mainway, Truffet Park and Jubilee Park. The trees planted include oak, alder, mountain ash, silver birch and a cherry blossom tree.

Marie Gribben, Centre Manager said ‘ The benefits of trees are one of our best natural defences in fighting against climate change and are crucial as they support wildlife, store carbon, reduce pollution and flooding in adapting to the climate crisis.  As a centre we have a responsibility in helping to create green spaces for people and wildlife to thrive and survive’.

Additional projects are taking place in The ‘Trees for a Laugh’ project which was brought to the council’s attention by Rick Attwood, the founder of Ace Lips – which has been running comedy nights for almost 10 years across Rochdale and Oldham. This project will offset the environmental impact of the carbon footprint generated by the comedians that travel to the borough to perform by donating a tree for every comedy show it hosts.  All trees will be purchased from the Woodland Trust and planted by the council.

If you, your school or your business would like to help fund projects like these, please contact the council’s environmental management team at: environmental.management@rochdale.gov.uk.