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TOWN AND VILLAGE GREENS

by Nicola Hodgson, Case Officer,
Open Spaces Society

LEGAL MATTERS

D-DAY 80 – NEVER FORGET…

Town and parish councils across England and Wales played a major part in organising parades, services and beacon lighting to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-DAY LANDINGS. Tributes were paid to the fallen and those veterans who survive, all now around the 100-year-old mark, as the brave personnel who risked their lives for freedom and peace were honoured.

Eighty years on from D-Day, beacons were lit across the UK. This one at Diss in Norfolk.

 Caernarfon (Gwynedd) Dewi Wyn Jones
Diss (Norfolk) Kieran Murphy

TOWNS APPOINT THEIR YOUNGEST EVER MAYORS

Mayor-making ceremonies have been going on across the country in recent weeks. Among them have been two town’s appointing their youngest ever first citizens. In Gwynedd, Dewi Wyn Jones is 27 and the new CAERNARFON Mayor said: “It is an honour and a privilege to be made mayor of such a special town. I am incredibly proud of Caernarfon and her people.” Across in Norfolk, Kieran Murphy has been appointed Mayor of DISS at the age of 21, having already served one year as First Citizen. He joined the council as an 18-year-old in 2020 and also serves on South Norfolk District Council.

TILES ARE TELLING TALE OF VILLAGE

A mosaic celebrating a Cheshire village and the first anniversary of King Charles III has been unveiled. Residents and TATTENHALL and district parish councillors met in High Street to see the mosaic, which features St Alban’s Church, oak trees, acorns, birds, butterflies and dragonflies along with the Cheshire Wheatsheaf and the Royal Cypher. It reflects what is great about Tattenhall as a rural community and the King’s love of the countryside. The mosaic was commissioned by Tattenhall & District Parish Council with funding from the National Lottery Community Fund and led by Lindsey Kennedy, a mosaic artist from Shrewsbury.

Cheshire West and Chester councillor Mike Jones and Tattenhall Park Primary School head teacher Nicky Bolton unveil the mosaic.

SAILING AWAY WITH NEW PLAY AREA

FROME Mayor Andy Jones set sail on the Good Ship Helen at the opening of the Somerset town’s newest play area, set among the trees at Welshmill Woods. Sixty Year 2 pupils from St John’s First School joined the mayor to cut the ribbon and test out the new play equipment, which includes a pirate ship, named Helen, a mud kitchen, seesaw, balance beams and seating. The council’s ranger team worked hard to install the equipment after inspiration for the project came from the children, working with Wild About Trees officer Helen Viner to create designs and models of their vision for the space.

Ship ahoy! The Good Ship Helen is in place.

IN A JAM AND LOVING IT!

The Warminster skatepark jam proved to be a huge success. Run by Maverick Skateparks and Rubicon and hosted at the Lake Pleasure Grounds, the well-attended event, paid for by WARMINSTER Town Council, catered for skateboards, BMXs and scooters. It featured music, rider demonstrations, competitions and prizes, with food available from Hickory Henry’s and Royal Sweet Mix. A council spokesman said: “It was great to see so many residents coming to the Warminster Lake Pleasure Grounds. We remain committed to helping put on events for all ages in Warminster and hope to put on another skating event soon.”

Youngsters were out in numbers to enjoy the Wiltshire town's skatepark jam event.

ARTWORK IS HEAD-OVER-HEELS UNIQUE

As part of a year-long project with WOUGHTON Community Council and Motus Dance, Coffee Hall saw the Barrista Park jumping, popping, scratching and painting in the sun. People from across the Buckinghamshire estate and beyond enjoyed dance workshops, community painting, refreshed play equipment and a new nature trail running alongside the park. The highlight was the unveiling of four walls, which include nods to Woughton parish, the history of Coffee Hall and the importance of movement. Dancer and artist Josh Hoffman created a new piece of art, dancing while painting and working with youngsters to create something unique.

SCULPTOR BRINGS BEAUTY OUT OF DISEASED TREES

 Two prominent trees in FARNHAM felled after becoming diseased have been given a new lease of life. The town council commissioned local chainsaw artist Michael Jones to transform the stumps into beautiful pieces of public art. The first carving was made from a European Silver Fir, which was 26 metres tall, in West Street Cemetery. In celebration of wildlife in the cemetery, he carved a deer, fox, owl and two owlets, a squirrel and a kite in flight. The second carving was created from a common oak, and includes rushes, dragonflies, a heron, kingfisher and the castle element of the Surrey town council’s logo.

 A heron sits atop the 12-metre-tall carving in Gostrey Park, Farnham.

Chief executive Ian Brown with Mayor Katie Vigar, green spaces officer Chris Hogg and councillors Alex Kay, Alison Potter and Tim Trimble. 

FIVE-STAR PRIDE FOR PARKS’ BLOOMING MANAGEMENT

BRADFORD ON AVON Town Council has been given five stars in the Pride in Parks award by South West in Bloom for its management of Poulton Park and Barton Farm Country Park. Since taking over the management of both parks in 2022, the Wiltshire council has unveiled plans to improve the green spaces for biodiversity and their communities. Judging for Pride in Parks is based on community involvement, biodiversity, horticultural and general management of the spaces, as well as the scale and tidiness of the parks.

 Malcolm Wieck with a 50-year gift.

CLERK CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF SERVICE

Malcolm Wieck has celebrated 50 years as clerk to EDINGTON Parish Council. He is believed to be the longest-serving clerk in Wiltshire. Past and present councillors met in the Parish Hall with some of Malcolm’s friends and the chair of Wiltshire Council to celebrate and present him with gifts. Parish council chairman John Pollard said: “Malcolm has been a dedicated and loyal officer of the council and many past and present councillors are indebted to him for his support.