IN THE NEWS
April 2024
We have now begun the project with Dale and Stonehill; you may have noticed that the Parks Department have cut already a circular path into the wildlife area near Chatsworth Street; we hope to have a new bug hotel in place by the end of June, and the schools are planning various activities to use the new space and learn how nature develops in an urban area. If you would like to know about the project, please email us on fofnpark@gmail.com
January2024
We are delighted to say that our bid has been successful, and we have been awarded £7000 for our joint venture with Dale Primary School and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. We are still digesting the information, but hope to be able to share our ideas very soon.
End of year round-up 2023
FoNP have put in a bid to East Midlands Airport community garden scheme in partnership with Dale Primary School for funding to develop the section near Chatsworth Street into a nature reserve to encourage more wild life, and for outdoor use by the School. We shan’t know if we have been successful until the end of January, but we would like to thank Dale School and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust for their help and support with making the bid.
On the night of 20 December, Storm Gerrit completely blew down two mature trees, plus a large section of one other. Luckily no one was hurt. See the Gallery section for photos.
At our annual Outdoor Carol singing on 16 December, we took a collection of £85 which we donated to the Food4thought charity in Derby.
Our partners Sporting Communities have received grant funding for the complete renovation of the hard court area for a MUGA court (multi-use games area); this will include fencing and goal posts and an all-weather playing surface. Sadly bad weather has delayed work on the site, but we look forward to its completion.
September 10 Another successful Community Fun Day to celebrate the Park’s birthday (114 years old and still going strong). Thanks to Ali at sporting Communities who did most of the organisation for us this year.
July 2023 The levelling-up funding has helped to create the new Garden on the Green. The new beds and decorative iron-work features are now in place, and FoNP and Green Thyme are working in partnership with Dale Primary School to develop a seating area. Check out the photos in the Gallery section. Although late in the year, one of the new trees, a magnolia grandiflora, has decided to flower. so it must be happy in its new home.
February 2023 Thanks to levelling-up funding, the City Council has planted a number of new trees this month. They say that the existing trees won’t last for ever and the new plantings should provide colour and interest all year round. Some species should be more drought-tolerant as well. FoNP hope they will be left to grow and flourish in peace!
4 November 2022 Thanks to Ali Latif from Sporting Communities to organising Rolls Royce volunteers to spruce up sections of the Park. They have painted the ceiling and pillars in the old Rangers’ Office, tidied up around the Community Centre itself, and helped FONP to clear the area inside the fencing of the former ladies’ toilet block. Photos available in the Gallery section
We’d love to know your opinion on what has been written, so please email us on fofnpark@gmail.com or leave a comment on 07511 779223
New partners and activities
We’re still developing new partnerships and activities, in spite of our Chair Will moving away from the area. Check out our Partners’ page for more info.