29 October 2020

Refurbishments to North Petherton Memorial Park in full swing

North Petherton Playing Fields Charitable Trust has raised the funds needed to turn the community’s ideas for a multi-purpose park and green space into a reality, including an £80,000 grant from the Hinkley Point C (HPC) Community Fund, administered by Somerset Community Foundation (SCF).

Val Bishop, Programmes Director at SCF explains: “It is well known that getting outside in nature has many mental health benefits, and research has shown that spending time at a park or any green space can have the same effect.

“And so we are delighted that the grant award supports this brand new integrated leisure space, in the centre of North Petherton, which is being created for local people of all ages and abilities.”

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The improvements at the existing North Petherton Memorial Park will include new playgrounds for juniors and toddlers, a Multi-use Games Area (MUGA), a young people’s arts and performance space, a trim trail and outdoor gym area, a multi-use circular track for walking, running or cycling, and picnic and seating areas, landscaped with trees and flower beds.

Andrew Cockcroft, HPC’s Senior Community Relations Manager, said: “We are delighted to be able to support this local project which will create a space that can be enjoyed by all in the years to come.

“It is wonderful to see the HPC Community Fund benefiting schemes across Somerset, supporting local people during these difficult times.” 

Peter Farnell, Volunteer Fundraiser and Project Manager at the Memorial Park Project added: “It was important to take into account the needs of everyone. Following an in-depth consultation with local residents last year, which included primary and secondary schools, local businesses, youth club and Brownies, we were able to start work on the project in mid-September. We’re very excited that there will be opportunities for outdoor physical activity for all, which will improve the health and wellbeing of our entire community.”

The build is due to be completed later in the autumn, with an official opening planned to take place in the spring of 2021.

Peter continued: “The project will help families who are new to the area to integrate into the existing community. Friendships can be created or developed as the community families come together through recreation in an attractive space and the whole community is really looking forward to being able to make use of it.”

A filmmaker based in North Petherton, The Local Film Company Limited, has been documenting the park’s progress. The second in their series of films, ‘What’s Happening in the Park?’ features an interview with Val Bishop, Programmes Director at Somerset Community Foundation.

You can view the film here.

The HPC Community Fund is part of a wider £20 million commitment of funding, provided by EDF through Section 106 agreements, for communities that are affected by the development of the new nuclear power station, to promote their social, economic and environmental wellbeing and enhance their quality of life.

If you run a local community project in Somerset and would like to find out more about grant funding from the HPC Community Fund please call Somerset Community Foundation on: 01749 344949 or visit: www.hpcfunds.co.uk

Pictured: L to R: Gary Hobbs, Headmaster of North Petherton Primary School; Dan McAlwane, Project Manager, HAGS; Cllr Peter Clayton, Chairman, Sedgemoor DC; Cllr Alan Bradford, Mayor of North Petherton; Cllr Linda Hyde, Chair of the North Petherton Playing Fields Charitable Trust.