Member Article

It's "Lights, Camera, Action" for Kepple Lane Park

Pupils from St Thomas Primary School, Garstang, joined patrons of the award winning Kepple Lane Park Trust, to celebrate the acquisition of a new power cable to provide lights and sound for its outdoor stage area.

The new cable has been funded by local housebuilder, Barratt Manchester, via its community initiative, the Legacy Programme. Park trustees successfully applied to Barratt for funding of the £1000 equipment, which it says will mean that all future performances will benefit from top quality audio visual effects.

Formerly a Garstang waste disposal site, Kepple Lane Park has been transformed into a multi award winning recreational facility for the whole community to enjoy, including a toddler playground, a play area for five to nine year olds, two sensory gardens, an outdoor gym/trim trail, community orchard and veg bed and a youth shelter. The outdoor stage area, with its new power generator, will further boost the park’s impressive credentials.

The project, which has the backing of Garstang Town Council, Garstang Youth Council, the police, as well as local residents, has recently been awarded a prestigious Green Flag Award. Green Flag status is now accepted as the benchmark for parks and green spaces in the UK. To earn one, a park has to demonstrate how clean and well maintained it is, safety and security measures, conservation and heritage work taking place, plus community involvement.

Park volunteers have also been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK. It is also shortlisted for the 2016 North West in Bloom awards.

Commenting on the funds from Barratt Manchester, Trust Chairman, Gordon Harter, said: “We are extremely grateful to Barratt Legacy Programme for its generous contribution to our park facilities. The outdoor stage area is a really important feature, but now we have full power, we will be able to put on much more exciting and ambitious productions for everyone to enjoy.”

Barratt Legacy was set up by Barratt Manchester MD, Neil Goodwin, to support and enhance the communities in which it builds homes. The purpose of the Barratt Legacy Programme is to find opportunities where it can leave a lasting legacy. Sales Director, Michael Lancaster said:

“It’s always a privilege to work closely with community initiatives that enable us to make a really positive contribution in the long term. We’re currently building homes at our nearby development at The Links in Garstang, so we’re delighted to have been able to support such an excellent local facility.”

Barratt Manchester is to open a sales cabin at The Links development on August 13. For sales enquiries call 0844 811 7799.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Opper-Cunnane .