Friends of Broadwaters: October 2011

Friday 28 October 2011

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

Thursday 20 October 2011

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.

Wednesday 19 October 2011

The latest edition the Bugle

Click to see the large size

Thanks to Mike Abraham for producing this newsletter.

The Park

Friends of Broadwaters are a group of some sixty members now who help manage the park at Broadwaters in Kidderminster.
The group was formed following a project instigated by Wyre Forest District Council, and supported by Local Heritage Initiative.
The project began with the restoration of the almost derelict remains of the mill that had stood since the 13th century on the watercourse known as Wannerton Brook.
It has has had a varied history as to the mill function, and it's final incarnation was as a laundry, having previously been an iron forge, flour mill, and a fulling mill for the cloth industry.
The building that remains is but a small part of the original several storied construction.

Sponsorship and Fundraising

The 'Friends' work in the park is funded entirely from grants, donations and our own fundraising efforts through various events in the park.
Many members also donate large amounts of time and also things like plants and tools, and they have a knack of failing to claim back expenses incurred during various tasks undertaken in the park.

Should you feel that you could help in any way to bolster our funds, then please take the opportunity to contact one of us to arrange something either privately or publicly.

We do, wherever possible and with permission, make it known to the public at large, just who contributes to our efforts.

Please contact us at
saint-jamesatgmx.com
(replace at with @)