Barr's Purple Crocuses

The continuation of the Crocus planting in partnership with the Kidderminster-Husum Twinning Assoc. took place on Wednesday 26th October. We were aided in our efforts by members from other organisations such as Kidderminster Horticultural Society and Friends of Springfield Park.
Local businesses have been very generous in their support and our thanks go out to them.
In all the fifteen folk who gathered in the park to carry out the planting did so with enthusiasm despite their collective aches and pains. A pleasant sunny day raised our spirits and a great deal of chat too place while divots were raised and handfulls of bulbs were carefully placed into the dry soil.

Please click the pictures for a larger view.

The extent of the bulb planing for future reference

Ministerial visit

As part of a somewhat whistlestop tour of projects in the Midlands, the minister for 'Civil Society' stopped off in Broadwaters to meet with delegates from a number of local 'Friends' groups.
A buffet lunch was put on in the Broadwaters Inn, where the minister, Nick Hurd, had opportunity to chat with representatives of the various groups.
The rather brief interlude was concluded with a photo opportunity in the park and the planting of some crocuses which forms part of the ongoing Husum Crocus project in Broadwaters Park.

Nick Hurd with members of Friends of Broadwaters and staff from WFDC Parks dept.

Nick Hurd was quite enthusiastic regarding the planting, the suggestion of which had caused a little discomfort to those organising the visit. Non the less, the minister took a hand in the planting of some 50 bulbs.

He was soon whisked away to pay a visit and give a short speech at the award winning Areley  Kings Village Hall. A short question and answer session climaxed the visit and the minister was then spirited away to pastures new.

The latest edition the Bugle

Click to see the large size

Thanks to Mike Abraham for producing this newsletter.

Family Gardening Day

Saturday last (10th September) saw our first 'Family Gardening Day'. An idea spawned by folk who had told us they would love to help with maintaining the green things in Broadwaters Park, except for the fact that we do most of our work in the week.
So, we publicised the event and put up our small gazebo on the day for serving drinks and biscuits, and low and behold! Fifteen of our members turned out and set to work with quiet enthusiasm.
We didn't expect droves of people to come along, and it was rather late on that a keen mom and her daughter arrived and set to weeding the glade area of the park.
It was hard work and perhaps a little disappointing that not many turned out to help, but this was the first time and we have learned a lesson about publicity. We are confident that the next one will attract more participants. Anyway we had a great social time and got a mound of work done including weeding the main border, which is always a major task.

Having a well drink of squash and a chocolate biscuit!

Irene, Ursula and Stella doing the big border.

A very keen pair. They even had their own transport!

Recently joined member Martin showing how it's done.

Roy attempting to revive our Katsura. A lost cause I reckon.

Almost complete!

Praise in the Park

Sunday afternoon in the park in fine weather. What could be nicer? Well a praise service, that's what. St.Oswalds and Broadwaters Methodists together with the 'Friends', shared an an hour or so of each others company and singing from the sampler of  the new Methodist Hymnal.
The shared service was led by Rev, Mary Austin, and a short word was given by Rev. Rose Lawley.
Tea, cakes and puddings were served to the more than fifty enthusiastic congregation, on a thakfully warm  and pleasant afternoon.
Shame about the graffiti on the wall, but thankfully it wasn't particularly offensive.

Once again.....

....your park has won the prestigious award previously known as the Green Pennant. This is now called the Green Flag Award, and the friends have received a small flag and certificate to mark the good news.
It is only through the hard work of volunteers that awards such as these are possible. At times the work is hard and when vandals strike with their mindless and selfish actions, it can be very disappointing.
However, the solution as far as the 'Friends of Broadwaters' are concerned is to keep on putting it right, which of course we will.
The many compliments that 'Friends' have received over recent weeks is very heartwarming, and we are sure that this latest recognition of the power of a group of volunteers to change things, will be well received by all our wellwishers.
Well done 'Friends'

Summer Fayre

The Friends took their usual spot in the park for this year's Summer Fayre. The weather, as forecast, was pretty dire worsening to monsoon levels. However the intrepid members still erected the gazebos and set up in plenty of time for the first hardy visitors to the park.
Fortunately, it wasn't too long until the sun eventually broke through and the team dried off in the warm sunshine.

The Friends main aim this year was to promote the group with the giving away of leaflets introducing the general public to the work and projects carried out by the group in its nine year history.

The purchase of a bubble machine was a great investment in attracting mainly children to our pitch, though many older folk displayed broad grins at being surrounded by hundreds of  bubbles which swirled around their heads and right through the park.

In addition to the bubble machine bringing great enjoyment to the children, lollipops and bubble packs were given out and free drinks were offered to everyone who came in to look at the displays inside the gazebo.
This year the Friends of Broadwaters were delighted to welcome representatives of the newly formed neighbouring group, Friends of Springfield Park, who also put on a display of their achievements so far.

Kidderminster's mayor Anne Hingley paid an extended visit to the Friend's gazebo She expressed a keen interest in the work that the friends group carry out in Broadwaters park.
All in all a great time was had sharing with residents and visitors in the eventual sunshine.

New Mill Artwork and Plant Sale.

     A double whammy this year for mid May. Today was the day for the new artwork in the mill to be launched. A project sponsored by Kings Charles School in Kidderminster, which took around eighteen months of planning, came to fruition to coincide with our plant sale day. So.....................we decided to celebrate, and the hard working committee contrived to organise a marvelous day in the park. We had the excellent dancing by the the 'Foxs Border Morris Dancers' from Cookley, and a Samba band which goes by the name of  'Someone at the Door'.
The sound and colour of both teams were excellent. A happy time spent with happy people.

Our new artwork

Everyone concerned, from the headmaster, Tim Gulliver to the extremely talented students who took part in the project with such enthusiasm, should be congratulated on a fine job of work.






 
The staff at King Charles should feel proud in being able to encourage youngsters to display their talents in such a positive way.
Their work is a fine addition to Broadwaters Park's wide range of attractions.

The brilliantly colourful artwork takes on a whole new form after dark. The existing colour changing lighting system enhances the new graffiti style installation with a dramatic, flowing colour and tone change.
Quite spectacular!

The plant sale was a great success. The final figure isn't in yet but the general feeling was that we  had sold many more plants than last year.

A planting

Three months ago, the 'Friends' decided to mark the upcoming Royal Wedding with the planting of a tree in the park. Conversations as to which kind of tree were fairly consistent in that its was felt that a 'blossom' tree would be appropriate.
              Research was undertaken via the internet and the choice of a native Wild Cherry was made. Further searching led to what appeared to be a good deal from Tree to my Door. In due course the tree arrived in a container inside a sturdy five tall heavy duty cardboard box. The tree looked in first class condition and promised to be an excellent addition to the park.
It was decided to make a bit of a 'thing' about the planting, and our two esteemed eldest members were invited to do the planting in time for the big day. At first we were going to plant the Cherry actually on the day of the wedding but it was felt that most folk would prefer to watch the wedding uninterrupted by a visit to the park. So the 28th of April (today) was chosen and sixteen members gathered to assist Fred and Cath Jennings to plant the tree  in the chosen spot. Flags and bunting had been added to the parks buildings to dress up the event.

So, on a bright and breezy day, the planting was done in the extremely hard and bone dry soil, and a drink or two of  sham Champagne was indulged in together with a slice of cake. As tired as were Fred and Cath, they enjoyed the hour or so chatting with friends and went home happily with a bouquet of appropriately coloured. red white and blue flowers.