Lightwoods Park

Friends Group Meeting

Bob — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:02:58 +0000

Dear Member of the Friends Group,

I am writing to invite you to the next Friends of Lightwoods Park and House meeting. The meeting will be held as follows:

Date: Thursday 8th March 2012

Location: St Mary’s Church Hall, St Mary’s Road, Smethwick

Time: 7.00pm to 9.00pm

The agenda for the meeting will be as follows:

Welcome and introductions.

Brief update on the parks for people programme and the restoration of Lightwoods Park and House.

Brief update from the Chair of the Friends Group – including forthcoming events.

Presentation on how we move forward with the restoration project, developing the plans and volunteering opportunities.

Interactive workshop in the friends sub groups to discuss how you want to get involved in the project.

Thank you for your continued interest in Lightwoods Park.

I am looking forward to working with you throughout this project.

Cherie O’Sullivan

Lightwoods Park Project Officer

Plans for horticultural project in Lightwoods Park

Bob — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:21:53 +0000

The horticultural centre which is currently based at Redhouse Park in Great Barr is set to move to Lightwoods Park within the next few months. The project run by Adult Services will consist of 3 polytunnels, a shed and a container which will be used as an office base. It will be relocated to Lightwoods Park in the car park/depot area – it will take up half the area (the area nearest the Shakespeare Gardens) and will be fenced off separately and closely monitored by CCTV.

The aim of the project is to grow plants for commercial purposes, for Lightwoods Park and for Bearwood In Bloom. Adult Services has a Horticulture training provision which sells its products including hanging baskets…profits are reinvested into the provision which is delivered by adults with disabilities/mental health issues.

Here are some photographs of what will be moving to Lightwoods, and a plan showing whereabouts in the park it will be located.

What a year!

Bob — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:07:32 +0000

What a year for Lightwoods Park – wow!

I have to say its been fantastic to see the transformation of what was a neglected and very under used park to what is now a busy, bustling park that is full of life and part of the local community.

This achievement is not only down to Sandwell Council who took ownership of the park in November 2010 but mainly to the local community who have most definitely took the park under their wing and have helped it on its way to being at the heart of Bearwood.

In summary, (and please forgive me and add to this if I leave anything out) we have seen a new state of the art skate park installed (the first and only one in Sandwell), a new tennis court and games area, the house is in a stable condition and is lit up and looks a pretty sight by night, we have managed to formally constitute a Friends Of Lightwoods Park and House Group of which we have around 500 members – so astonishing! We have seen a number of events happen in the park which have all been very well attended, namely, the May Day Celebrations (coming to the park again in 2011 – put it in your diaries), a jazz concert, two great Bearwood Shuffle events and of course the spectacular Bearwood On Ice – another first in Sandwell – I would like to express a huge thank you to all of the volunteers who helped make the event – THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Talking about volunteers we also have run two volunteer days in the Shakespeare Gardens - see photos – it now looks neat, tidy and lovely! Most importantly we have also been successful in attaining the Stage 1 grant from the Parks For People Hertiage Lottery Award and are now in a position to employ consultants and move forward with community consultation and developing a master plan for the future plan for the park and house – its all very exciting!

I feel so proud and priveledged to be the Lightwoods Park Project Officer, for Sandwell Council.

This project is going to be totally amazing and together we will achieve great things!

So, now that the heritage lottery boards are up in the park (see photos) the next phase of the project has commenced……..!

Cherie O’Sullivan

Volunteers needed for Bearwood on Ice

Bob — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 10:15:47 +0000

There is a meeting this evening (Tuesday) at 7pm for volunteers who wish to help out during the Bearwood on Ice event next week.

Note: The meeting is upstairs at The Bear public house, not The Thimblemill as previously advertised.

Friends Group Meeting

Bob — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 10:55:43 +0000

Anyone interested in hearing about developments in Lightwoods Park or the House and Gardens, is welcome to attend the Friends Group Meeting on 5th December.

New Security System

Bob — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 10:42:27 +0000

This picture is taken from the new cctv system donated to the Friends Group by Ben Purewal… and pretty good it is too!

A spectacular sight

Bob — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:06:48 +0000

As mentioned by Richard in the previous post, we owe a great debt of gratitude to Ben Purewal and his company E~Consulting Ltd for the stunning lights and the security system they have provided for Lightwoods House.

Lighting up and securing the House

Bob — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:54:46 +0000

During the course of next week phase 1 of a new security system will be installed around Lightwoods House.

It will include closed circuit tv cameras and up-lighters to light the facade of the House. These works should be completed before next weekend.

The system worth over £4 thousand, and it has very kindly been donated by a local resident who loves the park and wants to do as much as he can to help out the area in general.

So it’s a great big thank you to Ben Purewal and to his company E~Consulting Ltd.

Richard Marshall
Chair, Friends of lightwoods Park and House

Bearwood Jam

Bob — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 08:56:10 +0000

Some great footage by local film maker Luke of the Bearwood skate/bmx park opening…

…and one of ‘Greasy’ Dave Hartland showing his tricks.

Minutes

Bob — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 09:35:36 +0000

Friends Group Steering Committee minutes for September now on the Friends page.