Volunteers flock to help local play area development in Albrighton
Volunteers in Albrighton and a local Shropshire firm have shown their dedication to local causes by volunteering to work with a community group at Abney Avenue play area in Albrighton.
The group known as PARC (Park And Residents Committee) was set up by Shropshire Council in 2009 following a series of complaints surrounding anti-social behaviour at the play area. Since becoming a formally-constituted group, PARC has managed to secure over £60,000 of external funding from Community Spaces and Awards For All to make vast improvements to the site.
By summer it is hoped that a new play area, welcome sign, fencing and seating will have been installed on the park, making it a nicer place for everyone to visit.
Complete Contractors, from Sheriffhales, were initially contacted by PARC to quote for the fencing installation contract on site. However, after getting to know the committee, the firm developed a soft spot for the project and offered to go the extra mile by offering to work longer hours and weekends so that the committee could meet grant deadlines.
Stuart Bruckshaw from the firm said:
“We have never come across such a brilliant local group before. Both PARC and Shropshire Council work so well together, they really manage to get things done. It was because of this that we offered to work longer hours to get things done with the volunteers so that PARC could meet all of their deadlines. We did this all completely free of charge and out of our own time. The group really are truly inspirational to work with, giving some of our time was the least we could do.”
A new play area is due to be installed on the site at the end of March 2012 in time for the Easter holidays. The new equipment includes a junior climbing unit, new swings, a roundabout and lots of other exciting pieces.
Councillor Malcolm Pate, Shropshire Council member for Albrighton, said:
“This project could not have gone ahead without the dedication of local volunteers. PARC have really developed over the past two years and I’m really proud of the excellent relationship they have with Shropshire Council’s officers. This project just shows that with everyone working together, we can really transform our parks and open spaces.”
Councillor Steve Charmley, Cabinet member with responsibility for leisure services, added:
“It’s really important that councils build links with local groups to help communities help themselves, and this is a great example of that.”
For further information on PARC, or if you are thinking about setting up a friends group for your local park or play area, please contact Amy Davies, community greenspace officer, on 01743 255912 or email amy.j.davies@shropshire.gov.uk.
