Just before Christmas last year we heard the good news we had been waiting for – our bid for £49,999 from Community Spaces (funds from the National Lottery) administered by Groundwork had been successful. This money, together with match funding of £20,000 from Lancashire County Council Environment projects, and £25,000 from the Lancashire Environment Fund has enabled us to go ahead with Phase 3 of the Hawthorne Park Project. This completes the vision begun in 2003 when at a Wyre Strategic Partnership meeting, a Thornton Action Group member (Jenie Phillips) and the Vicar of St. John’s Church, Thornton (Rev. Paul Clemence) started the ball rolling to provide a much needed play and exercise space and equipment for young people of Thornton.
In January 2004, the Wyre Strategic Partnership Board adopted the project – as a 6 month long “quick win“. Six years later this mini project has matured into “a ground breaking co-operative venture” – to quote Bill Reed, the Partnership Development Manager – between a Community group and Wyre Borough Council. Essential to the success has been the support of the local residents, youth groups, schools, churches and police.
Phase 1 involved draining the muddy field, laying lawns and paths, planting trees and shrubs, creating the wild life conservation area and installing the first items of play equipment.
Phase 2 began the installation of teenage play and exercise equipment.
Phase 3 has seen the completion of the more challenging equipment for young people and the sports wall.
This will – we hope – encourage healthy exercise and reduce the boredom factor which can lead to troublesome behaviour.During this time the Trust (formally constituted in 2007) has formed a Friends Group, co-ordinated planting and litter picking, organised two Fun Days, and – most importantly – sought funding from a variety of sources. Our funders make an impressive list, headed by Wyre Borough Council and including the Wyre Strategic Partnership, Wyre Community Safety Partnership, Wyre Housing, the Lancashire Environment Fund, Awards for All, Candis, Rotary, Lancashire County Council, some local firms, Friends coffee mornings and our Youth Group (from the Youth Capital Fund). The Big Lottery Play Scheme funded Phase 2.
Phase 3 was completed by Easter and launched on May 15th by the new Mayor of Wyre, Councillor Russell Forsyth accompanied by the Mayoress, Mrs Forsyth.(Photo right) We were delighted that Councillor Forsyth could perform the ceremony – the first of his Maoyoralty as he has been so supportive of our project. We are indebted to our Wyre Borough Council partners who have supported and encouraged the project in so many ways through the efforts of officers and members. Our project manager for Phase 3 has been Mark Fenton of the Environmental Design team, and we have ongoing help and maintenance through the Green Spaces team, Wyre Countryside Rangers and the Friends of Hawthorne Park. The fact that the project is now completed is testimony to the importance of the guiding principles of the Wyre Strategic Partnership – we are “stronger together”.
On August 14th 2010 the Trust and the LCC Youth and Community Group based at Marsh Road, jointly organised
a Community Fun Day on the Park with additional funding from Community Spaces and money from the Youth Fund.
We provided extra attractions – a climbing wall, bouncy castle, circus skills, a puppet show, bicycle smoothie making,
face painting and tombola with cakes and refreshments available. The weather was sunny and more than 800 people had a
lovely, lively afternoon enjoying the Park.