Friends tell why Castle Park is the jewel in the town’s crown (From Gazette)

Friends tell why Castle Park is the jewel in the town’s crown

11:00pm Friday 13th May 2011 in Leisure By Neil D'Arcy-Jones

COLCHESTER’S Castle Park has been enjoyed by residents and visitors for more than a hundred years.

And yet, it’s only been in the past five years a community group has been assigned the task of promoting it.

The Friends of Castle Park were initially put together as a focus group for Colchester Council, with the aim of getting community feedback and involvement on a number of projects.

That led to the group developing into more of a community organisation, helping out with general maintenance and project work around the park and organising events for children.

Until recently the Friends had access to the lower bowls pavilion in the park, providing a place for the public to meet members. Although that is now not possible, a new venue is in the process of being secured.

The group still works closely with the council, but in recent months has been looking to re-assess its direction with the aim of recruiting more members.

Chairman Peter Lynn says: “The Friends have been trying to become more of a pressure group lately rather than just a consultative body, although we still do work closely with the council and will continue to do so.”

That has included several meetings over the recent developments within the park, including the new £200,000 play area.

“But we want to be much more than just that,” Peter says. “We want to get more involved in what goes on in the park, bring pressure to bear on the council, if that is needed, and be more hands on.”

Which is what they’ve done when it comes to the popular summer season of bandstand concerts.

When council cuts meant scrapping live music on Sunday afternoons, the Friends stepped in along with the people who run the Cafe in the Park.

The cafe owners have sponsored all the concerts, except the New Orleans Jazz Band, on July 24, for which the Friends have paid.

Peter says: “This is a very popular event in the town’s summer calendar and we were delighted we could help out.”

The Friends have also started meeting other groups, such as Colchester in Bloom, with the intention of pooling resources, ideas and volunteers.

They will be heavily involved in the setting up of a special oral history project to coincide with the unveiling of the new Star Garden in the park next year.

The garden will replace the current sensory one, next to Hollytrees lawn, in June next year as part of the Queen’s diamond jubilee celebrations.

The Friends are keen to receive oral memories and photos from the end of the Second World War to the Eighties. Group secretary Anthony Roberts says: “Talking to people, I have found just how much they love this place. The idea is to encourage them to get involved.”

l Anyone who wishes to find out more about Friends of Castle Park can attend the group’s annual general meeting on Tuesday at the Cardinal Bourne Hall, Priory Street, Colchester, from 7pm.

To contribute to the oral history exhibition, you can e-mail yasmine.somers @colchester.gov.uk