- Area:
- East Midlands
- Programme:
- Parks for People
- Release date:
- 15 4 2009
Whaley Bridge Memorial Park in Derbyshire has been given the green light to begin planning major redevelopments after receiving a grant of £24,300 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Big Lottery Fund (BIG).
The development funding from the two distributor’s joint ‘Parks for People’ programme will enable High Peak Borough Council to further develop their bid for £478,200 to transform and regenerate their much loved park.*
John Haken, High Peak Borough Council’s Executive Councillor for the Environment, said: “We are absolutely delighted about the outcome of the stage one pass for Whaley Bridge Memorial Park. This is a significant step towards implementing these exciting plans for the park – which is one of Whaley Bridge’s most valuable assets. I especially want to thank the members of the community and our partners who contributed to this successful outcome. We will now be working towards another successful outcome at stage two.”
The Park was created in 1920 to commemorate the loss of 106 men in WWI and includes a memorial cross which is the focal point of the area. Linking to the Peak District National Park it houses ornamental woodland planting which creates various habitats for an array of wildlife. Water is a key part of Whaley Bridge history; the Toddbrook Reservoir sits along the western edge of the park and supports many rare mosses and liverworts as well as over 30 species of bird.
Regeneration plans include reinforcing the local heritage of the park to remember all those who lost their lives in two world wars. It will also include the restoration of the war memorial area, reshape the site as it was originally in the 1920s and preserve the surrounding environment. Working with local volunteers and residents, the project will encourage mass participation in a wide range of events in keeping with the original use of the park. There will also be improvements made to the surrounding landscape to ensure the survival and success of the many species of plants and animals that live in Whaley Bridge.
Emma Sayer Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund, East Midlands said: “Our parks are hugely important to our society and significantly shape our surroundings; however, time takes it toll on these wonderful spaces. This is what makes ‘Parks for People’ so important, it gives us a chance to bring the parks back to their former glory and allows everyone to appreciate and enjoy them for generations to come.”
Mick McGrath, Big Lottery Fund Head of Region, East Midlands said: “The Big Lottery Fund is pleased to be part of the renaissance of our public parks. Today’s funding is a tremendous starting point for plans to transform Whaley Bridge Memorial Park into a fantastic community space that can be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.”
Further Information
For further information, please contact Roland Smith at the Heritage Lottery Fund on 0207 591 6047
Email:rolands@hlf.org.uk
Helen Harch at the Big Lottery Fund on 020 7211 3707
Email: helen.harch@biglotteryfund.org.uk
Out of hours: 07867 500 572
Notes to Editors
- * The Parks for People programme has a two-stage or two-round application process. At the first stage or round, an organisation can apply for a development grant to contribute to the costs of developing the project for a second stage or round application. The full grant is only awarded if the second stage or round application is successful.
- ** The 13 parks awarded a Stage One Pass with development funding are:
- Cedars Park, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire (£173,000)
- Forest Recreation Ground, Nottingham (£181,500)
- Horniman Gardens, Lewisham, London (£71,500)
- Memorial Park, Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire (£24,300)
- Victoria Park, Tower Hamlets, London (£295,500)
- The Green, Silloth-on-Solway, Cumbria (£106,000)
- Kings Gardens, Southport (£240,000)
- Telford Town Park, Shropshire (£162,000)
- Mote Park, Maidstone, Kent (£124,500)
- Brinkburn Dene's, Darlington, County Durham (£45,200)
- Duthie Park, Aberdeen (£71,500)
- Cambuslang Park, South Lanarkshire (£22,700)
- Brooke Park, Londonderry/Derry (£94,000)
The Parks for People programme uses Lottery funds to support the regeneration, conservation and increased enjoyment of public parks. The programme aims to improve the local environment and put parks firmly back at the heart of community life. In England two Lottery Funds have been working in partnership (2006-2009) to deliver a multi-million pound investment in public parks of £150million. Over the three years the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) is investing up to £80million (in England only) with £70million coming from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the UK.
Every completed park project will be expected to achieve the annual prestigious Green Flag Award and in doing so demonstrate quality standards of care and upkeep.
HLF will continue to fund public park projects with an approved investment of some £20million each year from 2009. The next closing date for applications is 31 August 2009. See www.hlf.org.uk for details.
Parks for People programme grants range from £250,000 to £5million with two rounds of funding each year.
Heritage Lottery Fund
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported more than 28,800 projects, allocating over £4.3billion across the UK. Website: www.hlf.org.uk
HLF has already invested more than £400million in 300 historic public parks, gardens, squares and promenades right across the UK.
Big Lottery Fund
BIG has invested more than £700million on environmental initiatives to date. For more information, visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
BIG rolls out close to £2million in Lottery good cause money every 24 hours, which together with other Lottery distributors means that across the UK most people are within a few miles of a Lottery-funded project. The Big Lottery Fund, the largest of the National Lottery good cause distributors, has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004.
Good Causes
Out of every pound spent on a National Lottery ticket, 28p goes directly to good causes. BIG is responsible for distributing half of the money to improve communities and the lives of people most in need. HLF distributes 16.67% of the money to heritage projects across the UK. There are 12 other organisations responsible for distributing lottery money to good causes. www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk
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