Festive News 2017 by Hereford Lions Club | Page 26

Blitz Spirit Restores Civic Pride

PAGE 26 • FESTIVE NEWS • DECEMBER 2015

In a perverse kind of way the Government enforced austerity programme has returned Britain to the great
community spirit last seen during World War 2. In the years since we had got used to the local council keeping
our towns in good order. All that changed eight years ago with the onset of recession and cash strapped councils,
including Herefordshire Council began cutting some of the basic services, such as keeping the streets clean, litter
picking, grass cutting, flower bed planting, tackling graffiti and much more. It was a nightmare scenario,
especially for historic Hereford. Thankfully, communities across the City adopted the old Blitz spirit and took
matters into their own hands. Countless new community groups swung into action to keep their patch in good
order. Festive News turns the spotlight on the people power which has restored Civic Pride and made a big
difference to the quality of life of its citizens.

SAXON HALL

– Fighting to gardening

Right: Bloom volunteers tackle Victoria
Bridge flower bed

VOLUNTEERS TAKE CONTROL OF COUNTRY PARK

When Hereford based Special Forces Regiment 22 SAS moved
out of their South Wye camp in the middle of a sprawling
housing estate to a new base out of town the land was sold to
developers to build new homes. But a small bit of it, including
the camp chapel was handed over to Putson Community
Association and the extended chapel is now a busy community
facility. But it is what has been happening in the grounds that
is really interesting: the creation of a community garden. It is
still a work in progress but was ready in June for its official
opening, including two special gardens, the SAS Memorial
Garden,
cared for my army veterans and the other
The Country Park Supporters was formed in 2014 to protect and promote
Belmont Haywood Country Park in South Wye. A dozen turned up at the
inaugural meeting but has swelled to 30 volunteers committed to caring for
the much used park, and they have taken over virtually all of the care and
maintenance of the park from Herefordshire Council. The transformation
since the volunteers, led by Cllr Phil Edwards took over in Spring, 2014 is
stunning.
Mowing and cutting back overgrown areas within the park was
undertaken by volunteers using their own equipment and completed in time
for May Bank Holiday event in 2014 More professional maintenance
equipment was needed for volunteers to do the job properly and successful
grant bids led to the purchase of a ride on mower, industrial strimmer and
other equipment plus a secure store to house it. Thanks to the efforts of CPS
the park is now a well kept and much used community asset with play areas,
wildlife havens and picnic tables.
The park is also home to two very special benches, 'Soldiers and Sacrifice',
provided by Newton Farm city councillors to commemorate the start of
World War 1 a century ago and cared for by CPS The benches are
surrounded by wild poppies planted by local schoolchildren.. Future plans
include improved signage and interpretation boards identifying the flora and
fauna found in the park.

PRIDE IN THEIR PARK

A GREENER NEIGHBOURHOOD

A strong desire to green-up their streets has led residents in the area of St James
and Bartonsham to create several inspiring community projects. An unused
space has been turned into a ‘village green’. In Harold Street by the TA Centre
a row of trees has been planted whilst in Nelson Street a row of trees in five
planters with specially designed metal guards make a great impact on the
streetscene. A grant funded front garden project resulted in trees and shrubs being
planted in several front gardens to further brighten up the area.

BOBBLESTOCK AND WESTFIELDS
COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Lead by Councillor Charles Nichols has already made a terrific impact after
taking control of their Park off Grandstand road. The volunteers have already
restored the tennis court and recaptured the site from the brambles. It is now
being used for community events and a portacabin has been bought for use
as a community space.

Central Tupsley Community group’s big
achievement has been to rescue the old clay quarry
at its centre. The transformation is stunning and
The Quarry is now the hub of social activity as the
picture shows from Picnics in the Park to Bonfire
Night firework displays. The success of the project
has created a huge sense of pride amongst the
local residents and attracted a small army of
volunteers for scrub clearing, creating wildlife
corridors, improving ponds, building new paths
and regular litter picks.
The group also built a footpath through St
Paul’s Churchyard so that children could walk
safely to school and created new flower beds in
the children’s play area next to The Quarry which
has also benefitted from the relaying of footpaths,
new litter bins and benches. An outstanding
example of a community taking charge of its own
destiny.
Local Councillor Jim Kenyon is the driving
force behind this great example of ‘people power’
which is helping overcome the drastic cut-backs
by Herefordshire Council.

commemorating the Jewish teenager, Anne Frank, a victim of
the concentration camps and all the children who died as a
result of war.
South Wye Amateur Gardeners and students from nearby
Hereford Academy have played a key role in the development
of the garden, which includes an orchard, a sensory garden, a
poly tunnel for growing plants, plots to be used by special need
groups as well as a picnic and natural habitat area. This really
is a ‘people’s patch.’
Below: Hereford Academy pupils at work creating the gardens

MOOR FARM COMMUNITY
ASSOCIATION

Moor Farm is a large housing estate on the
western edge of the city dating from the
50’s/60’s era and for decades was known
locally as ‘the forgotten’ area of the city
with not a single play facility for the
youngsters. That all changed two years
ago when residents banded together to set
up The Moor Farm Community
Association to breath new life into a sprawling estate. The result is two
separate play areas, one for infants and the other for older children with the
£126,000 cost raised by the association. An outdoor ‘gym’ fitness facility has
been provided for the grown-ups. A community centre is on the wish list. The
next big project planned is a major environmental and conservation task to
clean-up the Yazor Brook running through the area, replanting with
appropriate species and attracting wildlife. Educational signage boards will
inform youngsters what to look out for.