The Crowning Glory

As the Lottery project nears it's conclusion, the crowning glory was the installation of the wooden Totem designed and carved by Nansi Hemmings.
Great care was taken over the precise location and at last the day came to lift the 4.5 mtr. high solid Oak totem into place. Everyone involved on the day did their jobs to percection, and the totem was in place for all to see. And what a sight it was too!.
The carving of the totem is superb, and everyone who has inspected it feels the same. Nansi has surpassed all expectations and given Broadwaters Park a fitting monument for the long and complex  Lottery project.








Overall the project has been a stunning success, and all involved are to be heartily congratulated.
The official launch for the completion is to take place on 21st October in the park with a spectacular laser and firework show. A fitting climax to a magnificent effort.

Special thanks go, of course, to Jane Abraham for masterminding the whole project, and also Mike Abraham for his support.

Triumphant Once More!

The 'Friends of Broadwaters' greeted the news that our lovely park had once more won the prestigious Green Pennant, with great satisfaction. We did expect to win, as, due to  the joint effort of Wyre Forest Parks Dept., and the 'Friends', the park did look at at its very best on the assessment day.
Being able to demonstrate an on going commitment to improving our green space, was foremost in the decision to award the park the coveted Green Pennant, for the sixth consecutive year.
The fact that the recent Big Lottery award was in the process of being spent on the variety of projects planned for the park was also a big factor.
The members who met with the assessor were able to demonstrate their long term commitment to this cause, and also show that they were actively encouraging new members to take part in the plans.
All in all, a most satisfying culmination to a few months hard work by all concerned.

Work in Progress

The work to be funded by the Lottery Fund was begun in Mid May with the dismantling of the 'sensory' garden in preparation for a complete redesign and new pathways. The contractors began by removing our most cherished plants and placing them into storage until planting time in the Autumn.
The work progressed quite slowly at first due to various groundwork problems, but soon we were able to see everything begin to take shape
.

The pathways surrounding the garden were taken up entirely and the edge stones of the adjacent pathways, some of which were missing, were relaid and strengthened. During the relaying of these edge stones, the missing ones were found to have sunk into the soft earth!
The planned log roll edging was delivered and it was the installation of this that gave substance to the whole project.
New drainage was installed  to cope with the occasional flooding in this area. The pool in our park is number thirty in a string of thirty one fed by the Wannerton brook that rises in the Clent hills. The area is a class three flood risk.

The quality of work done by the contractors was outstanding and the care they took with the fabric of the park was very heart warming.



Soon it was time to lay the pathways around the garden, and this was a very speedy event.

Following quickly on from this, the pathways in the rest of the top end of the park were ripped up and within a few days the rest of the paths were laid.

Earlier concerns about the time scale of the work were allayed when the last bits of tarmac were laid, and the site was cleared of equipment, rubble and all the paraphernalia of ground work were removed, leaving the park in almost pristine condition well in time for the Summer Fayre on July 17th.

It didn't take long for the paths to be put into use. All in all a grand job. Now we are in the throes of organising the sculpture carving by Nansi Hemming which will be the crowning glory to a long project .

Annual Plant Sale

Saturday turned out to be the best day of the year so far as regards to the weather. It was scorching!

The 'Friends' as usual, turned out in force to set up for the big day, with the erection of our big gazebo and a smaller one on loan from Cyril and Shirley.
A lot of hard work had already been done in the background, by the 'Friends' and their friends. in growing hundreds of plants for our sale. The customary sale or return racks of plants from Highdown Nurseries were again in tip top condition and the 'return' part of the deal resulted in just a few trays being put back into stock.
The takings were up by  over £170 on last year, so the day was a great success considering the current financial climate.
After clearing everything away, (mostly to Mike and Jane's garage) we got cleaned up and then met up for a well earned drink or two in the Broadwaters Inn.

In addition to the plant sale, a prize draw was held. A local artist Ken Jenkins, donated an excellent water colour painting of Broadwaters park, so tickets were printed and £61 was raised on the day. The sale of tickets will continue until the 'Summer Fayre' in the park in July, and the draw for the painting will be made on August 4th at our general monthly meeting.
                                                                 
                                                                    Ken's Watercolour

The work begins!

Over the past months we have been busy with ironing out the details of the work to be done in the park. Quotes for the reconstruction of the paths have been received and the contract for the work has been allocated. This work is due to start in June and should be complete in around three weeks.
Due to a surprise reduction in the expected price for the paths, the residue of the pre-allocated funds have allowed to be diverted to pay for new paths to the two picnic tables. This will allow comfortable access for wheel chair bound park goers, instead of trundling across the bumpy grass. This means that we don't have to rely on an application for further funding from other sources.

The five Native Black Poplar trees, which are part of the Lottery funded project, were planted around the margins of the wetland area and have already come into leaf. These will make a splendid addition to the varied fauna in this area of the park.

The bids for the art work have been whittled down from twenty three to a more manageable four. A variety of styles have been included, and a public survey to choose the artist is in progress, and will continue at our annual plant sale on 22nd May.

Great News!!!

The 'Friends' have just been informed that our Lottery Fund bid has been granted!

Now the work can begin with regard to the art work and pathway installations.

Thanks must go to Jane Abraham for her diligent work over the past months.

Broadwaters Lights Fantastic

On 12th December, as part of the Broadwaters Christmas Fayre, organised by Colin Hill on behalf of the Scouts, the 'Friends', supported by Karen James and others at Wyre Forest District council, organised the ' Lights Fantastic' The funds for this event were provided by Mumshad Ahmed through the 'Positive Activities' fund, Howard Martin through the 'Leadership Fund', and Worcestershire County Council through the 'Generations Together' Fund,

(Click pictures for larger view)

The event was the culmination of weeks (months?) of hard work by Jane Abraham who took on the task following the disappointment of not being able to put on a similar event in March.

At last the money became available and the various parts of the event were booked. Chinese Lanterns (modern, 'green' recycled version) were produced with input from local schools and WFDC art workers.

A 'green' energy section was installed in the 'Friend's' large gazebo. This was a series of bicycles on stands connected to generators. These generators, when manned by sufficient 'customers'  provided electrical energy to power some rather fetching blue fairy lights to illuminate the rear of the gazebo.

 

More power (much more!) was needed to power the the kettle and the toaster which did in fact produce tea and toast, though not in sufficient quantities to feed everyone!

The lanterns were installed along the banks of the stream and gave an enticing view to passing motorists.

The climax of the evening was probably the most spectacular fireworks display ever seen in the area.

All in all, a very worthwhile exercise, and thanks are again offered to Wyre Forest District Council and all those involved in the organisation of such a successful event.