Community Spaces

Community Spaces is a £57.5m open grants programme funded through the Big Lottery Fund and managed by Groundwork UK. This is a place for the Community Spaces team, Facilitators, projects as well as passers-by to share their stories about transforming green open spaces.

Cake bake for swan lake

Posted on 12th January 2012 by Chris Burton

Swans, ducks, reed-planting, children from six schools and a home-made Swan Lake cake – just some of the ingredients at the launch event of the Lakeside Explorer project in Newcastle.

The party was a celebration of the hard work carried out by the Exhibition and Brandling Parks Community Trust to transform the lake in Exhibition Park.

A Community Spaces grant helped the trust to improve the landscape around the lake, making it more wildlife-friendly and with better opportunities for visitors to enjoy nature.

The Lakeside Explorer project combines the best of the past with a new future: it softens edges and builds boardwalks out into the lake, creates sheltered shallows planted with reeds which will soon be tall enough to hide people walking though them and brings new plantings of wild plants to the lake edges.

Well done to all.

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Blast-off in Alvaston

Posted on 11th January 2012 by Chris Burton

Space fans should be heading for Derby next week as the Alvaston Park Science Garden counts down to lift-off.

The Alvaston Park Friends – helped by a Community Spaces grant – have created a series of large-scale science exhibits in the park, which will be officially opened by the Mayor of Derby, Coun Les Allen at 12.30pm on Wednesday January 18.

The formal opening and celebration of the garden will run until 5pm, followed by the BBC Stargazing LIVE Star Party, which finishes at 9pm.

The party will feature Starchaser Industries’ Skybolt rocket. Mad Science will provide science-based activities, Derby Museum & Art Gallery will be organising craft activities with an astronomical flavour and Derby & District Astronomical Society will be on hand with telescopes for visitors to explore the night sky.

Find out more at www.alvastonparkfriends.org.uk

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Heeley wheelies

Posted on 11th January 2012 by Chris Burton

Heeley Development Trust is launching its new Mountain Bike and BMX track in Heeley Millennium Park, Sheffield on Saturday (January 14).

Built as part of the major revamp for the Millennium Park by BikeTrack.org and Heeley Development Trust staff the new track is just the first part of a Community Spaces Flagship Project. The new path weaves in and out of the trees across the whole of the bottom of the park.

Andy Jackson, manager of Heeley Development Trust, which owns and manages the Millennium Park, said: “Mountain bike riding is becoming more and more popular but not everyone can get out to the Peak District or the Pennines. This track gives people a chance to practise here in the city.

”There’s something there for everyone – from beginners to the most experienced – and folk can work their way up from getting round the corners up to some very technical ‘skinnies’ “ (that’s balancing beams to the rest of us). The Trust will have bikes for people to borrow on the day, experts on hand to give advice on riding the course and there’ll be a load of free-standing obstacles for people to try out.”

There have been big changes elsewhere in the park and in the playground a new giant birdsnest swing has sprung up. Park manager Thom White says: “Swings are one of those things that people have been asking for for years. I’m just glad that the Community Spaces funding came along and let us do it.”

Things will be kicking off from noon in the Heeley Millennium Park on Well Road, just off Chesterfield Road. Local councillors Tim Rippon and Cate McDonald will be cutting the ribbon at 12.30pm.

For more information go to http://www.heeleydevtrust.com/

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Toronto still thriving one year on

Posted on 9th January 2012 by Chris Burton

Residents of Toronto in Co Durham celebrated the first anniversary of the transformation of their local recreation ground with a Family Fun Day

The Community Association secured a Community Spaces Sustainability Grant following on from their original funding for the development of the rec, which has helped to fund further activities and events.

The family fun day followed an activities programme that saw youngsters from the community engaged in football, basketball, tennis and dance mats.

The Family Fun Day was a huge success, with over 150 people attending throughout the day. With activities to choose from such as basketball and football, a bouncy castle, soft play, and the popular 4 in 1 bungee trampoline, the day went down as treat (as did the home baked refreshments).

The project, which was developed by Toronto Community Association and Groundwork North East, included the replacement of the existing play area with a new improved facility along with the installation of a multi use games area and access improvements.

The scheme, which cost over £130,000, was part funded through Community Spaces. Other money came from Durham County Council Urban Rural Renaissance Initiative, Section 106 funds and Bishop Auckland Town Council.

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Helping out at Heeley

Posted on 6th January 2012 by Chris Burton

The Heeley Development Trust is looking for someone to organise a year-long programme of events and activities in Heeley Millennium Park, Sheffield’s largest community-owned and managed green space.

The Millennium Park is currently undergoing a £500,000 transformation with funding from Community Spaces and the Events and Involvement Organiser will be key to the success of the project.

This role is suitable for someone with a strong background in community engagement, in environmental activities and in events organisation. Experience of successful fund-raising and open space development would also be useful.

The job is for 30 hours per week on an initial one-year contract, with a possible extension subject to funding and comes with a salary of £19,656 pa pro rata.

The closing date is January 16.

For information contact the trust on 0114 250 0613, email
thom.w@heeleydevtrust.com or call in to the Heeley Development Trust Offices at 62-68 Thirlwell Road, Heeley, Sheffield, S8 9TF

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Keeping up with Conigre

Posted on 14th December 2011 by Chris Burton

The Conigre Mead Volunteers have set up a blog to keep friends and supporters up to date with developments at the project.

The volunteers, who help to maintain Conigre Mead Nature Reserve in Melksham, which is owned by the Wiltshire wildlife Trust, are using their £47,710 Community Spaces grant to improve the reserve.

Work include new surfaces to paths, new gates, new notice and information boards, and new seats. It will be carried out during the next few months and will be finished by June 2012.

The work will make the reserve more accessible and friendly to all users, particularly those with disabilities. Wheelchair and buggy users will be able to use the reserve all year round.

Seats will be installed suitable for all ages and will be useful for school groups and others.

There will be up-to-date and seasonal information about the site and its wildlife

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A hero for Hanwood

Posted on 12th December 2011 by Chris Burton

Congratulations to Bill Longmore, stalwart of Hanwood Village Hall Management Committee in Shropshire and project manager for the village’s waterside park Community Spaces project.
He’s been named winner of the BBC Midlands Sports Unsung Hero Award for 2011 in recognition of his work to develop sporting facilities in Hanwood during 12 years in the village, in particular with the women’s football team and the local bowls club.
Bill, aged 73, said he was overwhelmed with the prize. “I think it’s going to spur us on and I hope we can really get things moving even quicker to get more people playing sport and more people involved.”
Bill will now represent the West Midlands against 14 other regional winners for judging for the overall 2011 BBC Sports Unsung Hero award to be announced on the BBC Sports Personality of the year programme on Thursday December 22.
He served 30 years with Staffordshire Police, retiring with the rank of Superintendent in 1986.
During his service he became known for his work in improving and developing police public relations especially with young people by organising and starting sporting clubs including football and BMX.
He moved to Hanwood in 1999 and soon became active in trying to improve sporting facilities in the village.
He became chairman of the village hall committee in July 2009 and led the bid for Community Spaces funding to improve the village hall grounds.
Work started in October this year and when completed will offer opportunities for walking for health, running training, fishing, leisure and recreational activities.
Good luck!

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Glastonbury guest of honour

Posted on 9th December 2011 by Chris Burton

Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis was the guest of honour as villagers at Stratton-on-the-Fosse in Somerset celebrated the launch of Phase 2 of their community garden.

He cut the ribbon to mark the opening of a new boules/petanque piste, a basket swing, wooden shelter, grassed mound with tunnel and slide and a seating and picnic area, all joined up with a metre-wide path.

The latest phase of the project was made possible through a £49,999 Community Spaces grant.

For more on what’s happening at Stratton-on-the-Fosse see the village website

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Search is on for outstanding green heroes

Posted on 8th December 2011 by Chris Burton

Octavia Hill

Do you know someone who’s worked tirelessly to protect a patch of green space near you? Have you got a favourite teacher who’s inspired you to do something for nature? Or is there a famous person who’s challenging the system to make life better that you admire?

If so, they could be a candidate for a new award named after Octavia Hill, a Victorian social reformer and a founder of the National Trust. The Octavia Hill Awards aim to find the modern-day champions and guardians of our precious outdoor spaces.

Octavia Hill died in 1912 and to mark the centenary the National Trust, in partnership with Countryfile Magazine, is offering six awards that celebrate individuals and groups that are keeping Octavia Hill’s legacy alive:

• Growing Hero – this award could be someone who’s set up a community growing scheme, or saved allotments and made a real difference.

• Natural Hero – for individuals working for community spaces that matter to people and wildlife – in woodlands, nature reserves or orchards.

• Inspirational Hero – recognising someone, perhaps a teacher, youth worker or ranger/warden, inspiring and nurturing the next generation of enthusiasts.

• The People’s Campaigner celebrates a person in the public spotlight who has done something amazing to champion an issue or cause.

• Green Space Guardians – this award is for a group or organisation, big or small, that has created a lot of noise (locally or nationally) to champion green spaces and places.

• ‘Love Places’ award – specifically for National Trust volunteers, individuals or groups who have enabled local communities to benefit from the open places that are important to them.

The awards are open to all ages and will be given for work carried out between January 1 2010 and December 31 2011. The closing date for entries is Monday January 16.

Full details of how to enter can be found here

The winners will be announced in June 2012 and profiled in Countryfile Magazine.

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Great news for Gretton

Posted on 6th December 2011 by Chris Burton

The village of Gretton in Northamptonshire is celebrating a £100,000 Lottery win with a new games area.

The multi-use games area was officially opened by international athlete and 2011 Corby Sports Personality of the Year Karen Harewood.

The games area has been funded principally through a £99,984 grant from Community Spaces following a successful application by the Friends of Gretton Recreation Ground.

The project was one of a number of ideas suggested as part of a Parish Plan produced by the Parish Council in 2004 and which highlighted that villagers would like to see a MUGA in the village along with better play and sports facilities.

The Friends of Gretton Recreation Ground was subsequently formed, including members of many organisations in the village, to bring these ideas to fruition. The group has already built a new Jurassic Adventure Playground and BMX track and is working on other projects, including a young children’s play area and improvements to the Changing Pavilion.

The group invited athlete Karen Harewood, the 2011 Corby Sports Personality of the Year to open the MUGA. Karen holds the English National 800m title and has represented Great Britain in the World and European athletics championships.

Tim Fox, chair of the Friends Group, said: “I hope that both young and old will enjoy this new facility.”

The afternoon included netball, basketball, football and tennis competitions, traditional games, complimentary hot food and refreshments and all serenaded by Gretton Silver Band.

The MUGA has a fencing surround with carpet surface and floodlights and Tim added: “It is a superb facility for many activities and we want to encourage as many people as possible to use it. The football and cricket clubs will be holding coaching sessions for junior players and I have been contacted by a group of ladies who would like to rekindle their netball skills.

“There is interest in forming a junior tennis group and both the Primary School and Chirpy Chicks pre-school will use the area regularly. The facility is open for all and there will be times which groups can pre-book.”

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