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Struggling town centre park needs some friends

Tom Rowley
27/12/2006

GLOSSOP'S sole town centre park needs some friends if it is to be improved.

While Howard Park and Manor Park already have friends' groups, High Peak Council only allows five for the whole of the borough. There are another two in Buxton and one in Whaley Bridge.

Friends' groups are not only a way of getting folk involved in the community, they help attract funds from different sources for improvements like new benches, play areas, benches, lighting, walkways and improved disabled access.

Howard Town councillor Jacqui Wilkinson fears that the focus on upgrading the High Street and the railway station forecourt is leaving Harehills starved of funds for much-needed improvements.

She told the board of regeneration body, Glossop Vision: "I've been told the council only has the resources to support five friends' groups in the borough.

"You can't get funding to improve Harehills Park without the backing of a community group and if we can't get the backing of the council, how are we to attract funding for it in the future? We are going to struggle without funding." However, a glimmer of hope was raised at the meeting when Linda Newman and Claire Miller, leading lights in both Glossop Environmental Trust and its offshoot the Friends of Glossop Station, voiced the "full support" of their groups to help Harehills Park attract funding from sources local authorities cannot access.

Councillor Wilkinson thanked them. She said: "Harehills is the only town centre park we have got. I intend to set up a friends' group, but need as many people as possible to get in touch so we can set up meetings in the new year."

A High Peak Council spokeswoman added: "The parks service has prioritised the establishment of friends' groups for the five major parks in the borough.

"In other areas, such as Harehills, volunteers may look to form such groups independently."

Residents interested in becoming involved in a Harehills group can e-mail Councillor Wilkinson at jacquiwilkinson@highpeak.gov.uk or call 01457 866531.