It’s time to celebrate.  These members of the Friends of Memorial Park, pictured below, are overjoyed that the bid, which they supported, has been successful.  From the left: Jon Goldfinch, local councillor; Helen Roberts chair of the Friends, Sarah Heyes, secretary of the Friends, Karen Spencer and two youngsters Hugo and Jackson .

Helen Roberts, chair of the Friends group said “we are overjoyed that the bid has been successful, and very proud that our input and involvement has helped to bring about this result. It will make a tremendous difference to the park and is a huge boost for Whaley Bridge”

Jon Goldfinch  said ” This is a fantastic result for Whaley Bridge. Money for projects like these is going to be much harder to get in the coming years and there is a huge sense of relief that after at least two and a half years of trying, we finally have a successful outcome. I cant wait to see the work starting, and congratulations are due to Christime Latham’s team at HPBC, who put in so much hard work and effort to bring this to fruition.” 

The funding  will enable the implementation of plans including restoration of the war memorial and maintainance of woodland and wildlife habitats. Volunteers will get involved with the long-term maintenance of the park through activities such as hedge-laying, flower planting and dry-stone walling. New planting within the park will reflect original features and will increase new wildlife habitats. Overgrown planting will be removed to open up sightlines and vistas. A parkkeeper will be based in the Pavillion, and new pathing, benches and planting will be carried out. The play equipment will  be replaced, and entry and exit points will all be enhanced.