Member Article

Gallagher Park gets the chop

Gallagher Park in Bedlington has been having a tidy-up thanks to the efforts of a group of hard working volunteers, a conservation charity and funding from the Banks Community Fund.

The Park, situated on the site of a former spoil heap offers amenity grassland, football pitches, a BMX track and large areas of wooded plantations and open meadows against a backdrop of fantastic views of the Cheviot Hills and the coast; it is one of five sites being improved by Northumberland Wildlife Trust as part of the SENSE II Project.

SENSE II is funded by the Banks Community Fund (through the mining, property and renewable energy developer the Banks Group) and is a three year scheme aimed at making practical improvements to a number of green sites in South East Northumberland which will benefit both members of the public and visiting and resident wildlife.

The Friends of Gallagher Park group is a very active band of volunteers who meet up once a week with Anthony Johnston, Northumberland Wildlife Trust SENSE II Project Officer to undertake essential estates maintenance on the site.

The Group has been busy cutting down hundreds of self-seeded conifer trees over the past 4 - 6 weeks. The wet weather over the summer had caused the trees to grow at a rapid rate and they were beginning to obstruct the wonderful views from the heap; likewise, the meadow areas, were in danger of fast disappearing under the carpet of self-seeded conifers which the Group is managing to encourage the growth of grasses and wild flowers.

Anthony and the Friends of Gallagher Park are now working towards opening up the path network through the wooded areas, installing seating and making the whole heap area a safer and friendlier place.

Anthony Johnston, SENSE II Project Officer said: “Gallagher Park is a hidden gem in Northumberland; don’t just take my word for it, come along see for yourself how wonderful it is.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sue Bishop .