Our fabulous volunteers!
Lichfield District Council’s parks team held an event on Wednesday 7 December to thank its park volunteers for all their hard work over 2016.
In the past year 68 people have spent a combined total of 3,067 hours volunteering across Lichfield District Council’s parks and green spaces.
From thinning trees and clearing scrub as part of the Countryside and Parks Conservation Group, to helping keep Beacon Park tidy at the Neaten and Natter monthly sessions, through to volunteering for big events such as Lichfield Proms and the Victorian May Day festivities in Beacon Park, the volunteers play a valuable role in helping the council to manage the district’s green spaces.
The Friends of Lichfield Historic Park also play an important part, meeting each month to suggest ideas for how the city’s parks could be improved, and many go on to volunteer at events and park activities. More volunteers have also helped with gardening, making props for events, reciting poetry in the park for World Poetry Day and running a range of workshops.
The festive event included hot drinks, mince pies, a fun quiz and a speech by Councillor Bob Awty, Chairman of the Leisure and Parks Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Of the event, he said:
“I was delighted to welcome the park volunteers and to highlight the amazing amount of work they have done over the past year for the district’s parks. The event offered us a chance to thank them and to celebrate their achievements.”
The park volunteers have worked across a number of sites, including: Beacon Park, Stowe Pool and Fields, the council’s garden in the National Memorial Arboretum, Muckley Corner, Pipe Hill, Christian Fields, Shortbutts Park, Rake Hill, Eights Croft, Ironstone Road, Darnford Park, Sainte Foy Avenue, Wharf Lane and more.
Councillor Andy Smith, Cabinet Member for Leisure & Parks, said: “We’re ever so grateful to all our volunteers for their hard work, dedication and friendliness. They put in such a lot of time and effort into the parks and I hope this small event has gone some way to showing them how much we value them.”
The council is always keen to encourage more volunteers to help at its parks. It’s a great way to develop conservation knowledge and skills, boost health and wellbeing with all the outdoor exercise, and it’s a good way to meet new people and benefit local wildlife.
To find out more about volunteering, please email parks@lichfielddc.gov.uk or call 01543 308869.