Welcome to the Memorial Park - Wheatsheaf Road entrance
The activities and attractions to suit all ages and tastes range from children’s rides, quizzes, a tea and coffee stall to music from Whaley Bridge brass band, bug hunts and a climbing wall. Children will also get the chance to learn fun arts and craft activities in a yurt provided by High Peak Community Arts
Anthony McKeown, e xecutive councillor for community services said: “This is an exciting project and one I know the local community is behind one hundred per cent. It will give us the opportunity to update local residents on the progress of the plans. If you want to find what’s in store for the park, do come along and see us!”
The Memorial Park – owned and managed by High Peak Borough Council – was awarded £478,000 in 2010 to restore key areas of the park. The project is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and BIG Lottery under the ‘Parks for People’ programme.
PAUL EVANS, park keeper, is 56 and the father of two grown up children. His family moved to New Mills to escape the smogs of Manchester 50 years ago. Paul went to local schools. He is a big supporter of SureStart, with branches in New Mills. Chapel and Buxton, and would like to involve some of their members in the Memorial Park project.
Park keeper Paul meets users of the park's present equipment
Whaley Bridge Memorial Park was created 90 years ago to commemorate the loss of 108 local men in the First World War. A memorial cross in the park carries the names of those men, and others who fell in World War Two. Plans for the park include restoration work on the memorial, where a wreath laying ceremony is held on Remembrance Sunday each year.
People will have a chance to meet the new park ranger Paul Evans, and members of the Friends group. Details of the the plans to restore key areas of the park will be on show, including new park furniture, a new play area, new planting schemes and a new bridge.