Friends of Holmebrook Valley Park

Chairs Annual Report 2013

Membership

Since the 2012 AGM there have been no Friends group full meetings, activities or events. However, the committee have kept in touch and held four meetings, and a lot of work has been going on 'behind the scenes', mainly concerning the paths improvement project.

The Group currently has around 65 members. David Haworth (Sec) has continued to update the FHVP Website.

Liaison with the Park management

The committee has held meetings with Will Thornhill, Chesterfield Borough Parks Manager about the path funding bid and to hear of new initiatives planned by the Council for the park. Some of the issues covered were dog fouling, litter and pony grazing.

We have held two site visits with rangers and contractors to agree bench seat locations and the path improvement scheme. Each of the committee has also kept in contact with each of the rangers through the year.

We continue to support the new management of the café, Annette.

Our work as a friends group in regular liaison with the park management has played a part in enabling the Borough Council to gain the Green Flag Award for this park for the third year running.

One or more of our committee members has attended a meeting of the Friends of Parks groups (FROG), hosted by Leisure Services at the Town Hall.

The Path Improvement Project (Phase 2) – starts November 2013

In January I submitted the final funding application package to Viridor Credits Environmental Company, with supporting letters from CBC, St Mary's School and the HBVP Walking for Health Group. The offer of funding was eventually received in August and contracts were signed in September. Work is due to start in November, so by New Year the newly surfaced and widened path between the Pavilion and the bridge near the underpass (a distance of one kilometre), should be finished – complete with widened entrances from Green Farm, new bench seats and sign posts.

Looking forward to 2014

Path Project Phase 2 - Opening celebration and guided walk / cycle / ride

Path Project Phase 3 – Submit funding bid

Winter Hedge laying and Coppicing programme – volunteers welcome

South Stream path and vegetation cut back – volunteers welcome

Sensory Garden – re-landscaped with ideas and support from FHVP

Spring Clean Day

Summer Event?

Motorised Scooter (Tramper) loan scheme?

Web site articles and photos

etc. etc.

With support from Friends members we aim to widen our membership and publicity for the group and for the park. We need more people to organise activities, volunteer days and events. Can you help?

Thanks

I would like to extend thanks to your committee - Bob Gibson, Vice Chair, David Haworth, Secretary and Web operator, Peter Barr, Treasurer. Thanks to Parks manager Will Thornhill for his encouraging support to the group

I think we should all give a big thanks to the rangers Geoff and Zoe, for keeping the park safe and smart – grass cutting, litter picking etc. to maintain this beautiful park to Green flag standards.

Howard Langley, Chair

8^th October 2013

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