A �1 MILLION fund to recruit a new generation of green-fingered apprentices to keep parks and open spaces growing is being unveiled today by the Government. Housing Minister Margaret Beckett announces the new recruitment in a speech to horticulturalists, planners, developers and health officials at the Park City conference in London

A �1 MILLION fund to recruit a new generation of green-fingered apprentices to keep parks and open spaces growing is being unveiled today by the Government.

Some local authorities including three in East London are being given cash by Whitehall to take on budding horticulturalists of all ages for traineeships to improve their green skills and make sure our public spaces stay green.

The local authorities in Hackney, Newham, and Waltham Forest between them get funds to take on a total of five apprentices. They are among 10 authorities across London involved in the recruitment scheme looking for people who can prove their gardening prowess.

GREEN AMBASSADORS’

Housing Minister Margaret Beckett announces the new recruitment in a speech to horticulturalists, planners, developers and health officials at the Park City conference in London.

The new apprentices will be green ambassadors’ in their communities, she will tell them.

They will be taking responsibility for parks and open spaces which should not be an added luxury’ in new developments and urban regeneration schemes, but an essential part of them, “if we are to tackle climate change and protect the environment and public health.”

Green spaces, she will tell them, “need to be at the heart of our communities.”