An alleyway behind rows of houses has had a dramatic transformation thanks to the efforts of neighbours who banded together to give it a well-needed makeover.
The newly green and aptly named 'Happy Alley' is a place where bees buzz amongst the flowers, neighbours chat over a cup of tea or walk the length for exercise while children safely play.
The alley, which sits behind several houses on Burlington Avenue and Gainsborough Avenue in Coppice, was once in a sorry state with weeds, litter and fly-tipping taking over until neighbours Maureen McGrath, 70, and Eileen Taylor, 78, decided to do something about it.
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Starting in 2017, the pair arranged meetings and emailed everyone they could for support before catching the eyes of Hubbub, a creative charity that is passionate about environmental action and making a difference in local communities.
Maureen and Eileen, who have been neighbours for more than four decades, said the Covid pandemic and other things such as ill-health and "organisational challenges" got in the way and stalled plans for some time, but they never gave up on their mission.
Then Hubbub donated funds towards the alleyway vision and, with a pot of £470, the whole community got to work.
The neighbours said the funds allowed them to plant flowers, purchase and set up lights, install fold-away benches and put up framed pictures and wall art that tell a bit of Oldham's history.
Children and neighbours in the surrounding area all chipped in and volunteered their time, planting for the alleyway.
A huge mosaic owl, hand-crafted by local artist Sue Kershaw, and children at Primrose Community Centre, was also put up in another nod towards the borough's proud heritage.
Eileen explained: "Everyone who worked on the alleyway has a mosaic piece in the owl.
"As we have a cobbled street, we can't put much on the floor in case emergency services need to access it.
"But we've done the best we can."
The pair said they are "proud" of what they've managed to achieve.
They also received a generous donation of a "truckload" of plants and flowers as well as paint and brushes.
Its name was given after a child said the flowers make them happy.
Now, Happy Alley is an attractive place for parties and celebrations, from Eid to Halloween and resident get-togethers, and has become a popular visiting spot for other communities to draw inspiration from.
Maureen added: "You couldn't even walk up the alleyway before.
"Now, one of our neighbours is often walking up and down it for exercise because she says she feels safe.
"People who come to visit it say it's the nicest alley they've been to.
"It just feels like it's your place. You can sit out there with a drink.
"We all know each other from the project - it's brought us all together and everyone looks out for one another."
The transformed space has also taken the pair beyond Oldham.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and North West Bloom presented the 'Happy Alley Transformation' project with a Neighbourhood Award in Level 3 - Advancing, which the friends collected in a ceremony with a special dinner in Southport.
They have also spoken at an event in Bury and have inspired other communities to take ownership of their places as far as Scotland.
The alleyway even reportedly "impressed" Jim McMahon MP and leader of Oldham Council, Arooj Shah, who came to visit the alleyway.
Eileen added: "The award was a lovely surprise.
"We have had some fun with this."
The project has also been made possible thanks to the support of Oldham Labour councillor, Sajed Hussain.
Cllr Hussain told The Oldham Times that the alleyway is an "amazing space" that inspires resident ownership and is adored by the entire community.
He added: "It's not just a back alley, it's a safe space for children to play and it has brought the community together.
"The lights are a deterrent from any unwanted behaviour, so it is safe."
He said it is all thanks to leaders like Maureen and Eileen for making it possible and crafting this "safe and beautiful space" - as well as keeping up with the maintenance.
The councillor added: "Maureen and Eileen didn't do this to be recognised or to go to talks, they did it because they actually cared for their community.
"It's great that they have been recognised for the work that they've done.
"The Council wants people to bring spaces such as these back to life.
"We always like to promote and help these projects that make places more secure, brighter and happier, where alleyways can be brought back into use and where people are proud of where they live."
Do you have a feel-good story or something you think is worth celebrating? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk with your news
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