Communist's legacy of solidarity lives on in Moss Side

The land that communist Frederick Engels used to live on has been turned into a peace garden in Moss Side.

In a display of modern-day solidarity, students from Manchester University and other volunteers are about to plant flowers and shrubs at the site on the corner of Moss Lane East and Upper Lloyd Street.

The site is where Engels had a property in the 1850s and it's believed he rented out rooms in the now demolished house, to help finance the work of Karl Marx.

The peace garden project is due to be finished in summer and will have transformed what was a derelict piece of land into a restful idyll complete with benches, landscaped greenery and woodcarvings. There are also plans for a mural on the side of one of the houses, which backs straight on to the garden.

The idea for the peace garden started almost two years ago when residents expressed a desire to reclaim the land and turn it into a tribute to Moss Side today.

Anne Goldrick, Moss Side resident, who is part of the Peace Garden group said: "We wanted an area that we could all enjoy and appreciate the natural beauty. And, we then called it a peace garden because we wanted to celebrate today's Moss Side, which is synonymous with harmony."

The project has received backing and support from a number of groups, including Manchester City Council, Mosscare Housing Group and Adactus Housing Group. Keele University used the project as part of its work in the gerontology unit - as an example of how older people can be involved in a community venture along with volunteers of all ages, including the children from neighbouring Holy Name Primary School.

Councillor Mike Amesbury, Executive Member for Culture and Leisure at Manchester City Council, said: "The power of community pride should never be underestimated because it raises collective morale. New plants and trees are all symbolic of new beginnings, which is particularly apt for Moss Side, which is an area of hope and potential."