Thank you to our fab volunteers
Lichfield District Council’s parks team held a festive event on 4 December to thank park volunteers for all their hard work over 2019.
In the past year more than 150 people have spent a combined total of around 4,300 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 in Beacon Park, the volunteers play a huge role in helping the council to manage the district’s green spaces.
The Friends of Lichfield Historic Park were also thanked at the special event. This is the group that meet 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 and running a range of workshops.
The park volunteers have worked across a number of sites, including: Beacon Park, Stowe Pool & Fields, Prince’s Park, the council’s plot at the National Memorial Arboretum, Ironstone Road, Darnford Park, Festival Gardens (on behalf of Lichfield City Council), Wharf Lane, St Anne’s Churchyard, Church Street Open Space, Larks Rise and the District Council House garden.
One of the highlights of this year saw hundreds of volunteers taking part in the planting and opening of the Peace Woodland in Beacon Park – designed by Lichfield Cathedral’s artist in residence Peter Walker as a permanent living artwork. The woodland, which was planted and cared for by the council’s parks team and many volunteers, marks 100 years since the end of the First World War.
Councillor Liz Little, Cabinet Member of Recycling & Leisure, said: “We are ever so grateful to everyone who donates their time to helping our local parks and green spaces. It was a fantastic year for volunteering and they’ve all worked so hard. On behalf of the whole council, I want to thank all our volunteers again and we look forward to working with you again in 2020.
“We’re always keen to encourage more volunteers to help at our parks. It offers many benefits, including developing knowledge and skills, boosting health and wellbeing and it’s a good way to meet new people and benefit the local communities.”
To find out more about volunteering, please email parks@lichfielddc.gov.uk or call 01543 308869.