Changing the view of Wythenshawe

Brenda Grixti says Wythenshawe is "beautiful"

A team from Wythenshawe has been showing off its green side at the Cheshire County Show to improve its image.

Ambassadors from the Wythenshawe: Real Lives initiative manned a stall at the show talking to visitors about the area.

They have also been giving away plants from the district's Primrose Nurseries with positive messages attached.

Their aim is to change what they see as 'outdated image' of Wythenshawe.

Brenda Grixti, who recently won an MBE for her community work in the area, is one of the campaign ambassadors.

I want people to come into Wythenshawe and see how beautiful it is Brenda Grixti

She freely admitted that the area had its problems in the past and said it was up to the residents to change the public's opinion of the place.

"What they don't see is the way it's been changed around," said Brenda.

"People have changed it and with the introduction of the regeneration programme, it's the most beautiful place to be.

"I want people to know just how good Wythenshawe is. I want people to come into Wythenshawe and see how beautiful it is.

"We're a very close knit community and we worked hard to get to where we are today. We're so proud of Wythenshawe and I think that people outside need to know why."

Mark Rainey from Wythenshawe Regeneration agreed that the show at the the showground in Tabley was the ideal place to start changing people's minds about the district.

The team want people to concentrate on Wythenshawe's beauty

"The Cheshire Show attracts a lot of people that live in and around the Manchester area and a big priority of our campaign is to address the outdated image and perception of the Wythenshawe area in areas around just where we are."

The activities at the Cheshire County Show are just part of the Wythenshawe: Real Lives campaign, which began in October 2008.

Other events across the summer will see open-air theatre come to Wythenshawe Park in July and primary school pupils taking part in a vegetable-growing competition in September.