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When ‘Pride in Your Parks’ was launched In
July, the campaign aimed to prove that the borough’s parks, countryside
and play areas are great assets for everyone to enjoy.
This summer, despite some of the worst weather on record, local
residents have come out in their droves to join in a whole host of
exciting and interesting activities that have re-affirmed the value of
our borough’s green spaces.
Wigan’s WOW Festival wooed over 9,000 people with dance, music and
family fun on a hot summer Sunday in August. Another highlight was the
lung bursting performance of The Tyldesley Band, as Pennington Park
basked in pride and glory at ‘The Last Night of the Proms' in September.
Meanwhile, youngsters from all corners of the borough have been hunting
bugs, joining in orienteering, enjoying sports and chasing treasure at
the 18 major parks dotted around the borough. The biggest play event of
the year ‘National Play Day’ saw hundreds of little cowboys and Indians
dancing around the streets of Golborne in early August.
The older generations have also been busy enjoying jazz, theatre, health
walks and even tai chi at locations the length and breadth of the
borough. From Lilford Park in Leigh to Haigh Country Park, adults of all
ages and sizes have been entertained or have been taking the opportunity
to let these ‘green lungs’ help them keep fit and healthy.
Pride in Your Parks is a joint campaign between Wigan Leisure and
Culture Trust, Wigan Council, Greater Manchester Police and the Leigh
and Wigan Reporters. The campaign does not stop here.
The Trust is currently finalising plans for the regeneration of Mesnes
Park and is working towards Green Flag recognition for at least one of
the borough’s parks this year. GM Police will continue to work with
Wigan Council’s Community Safety Team to ensure that you remain safe to
enjoy park and play areas now and in the future.
The community has played a key part in some notable successes this
summer. Norley Hall Adventure Playground was successfully re-opened
thanks to the team spirit showed by all in the area. Local councillors
joined residents and the Play Team to clear up the area to allow the
Trust to re-open the much loved site.
Meanwhile at Pennington Flash, the local community united to launch the
borough’s new SHAPE campaign, proving that parks are great places to be
alive, be fit and be active. Thirty children from Gilded Hollins Primary
School, Lowton, joined Westleigh Basketball Club, Leigh Miners Rangers,
Lowton, Crankwood and Abram Bridleways group to get the SHAPE ball
rolling.
Chief Executive of Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust Rodney Hill sums up
the campaign: “I would like to thank everyone who has supported this
campaign, in particular the council, police and the Leigh and Wigan
Reporters. Our main aim was to encourage more people across the borough
to become more involved in their parks and play areas. We have put on
more events than ever and, thanks to our Grounds Maintenance Team, we
have had dozens of positive comments about the condition of the flower
beds and greenery in our parks.
“We also set out to encourage people to be our eyes and ears out in the
community and to help us, and the police, to clamp down on the vandalism
that has blighted some of our parks and play areas in the past. Thanks
to the involvement of the community we are making strides in this area.
However we need local people to remain vigilant and to keep helping us
drive home the pride message. These parks are yours. Enjoy them, care
for them and make them an everyday part of your life.”
Parks events continue throughout the year. To find out more or for more
general information about parks pick up an events leaflet from your
local library, visit
www.wlct.org/greenspaces, or call 01942 488550.
For information about Haigh Hall and Country Park call 01942 832895, for
Pennington Flash call 01942 605253, or for the Three Sisters Recreation
Area call 01942 720453.
Anyone who witnesses any vandalism or other criminal activity in a park
or play area, can report it to GM Police on 0161 8725050. Minor damage
can be reported to Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust on 01942 776612 for
parks, or 01942 875648 for play areas.
-ends-
NOTES TO EDITORS: For further information on this press release please
contact Chris Dunbar, Media and Public Relations Manager, on 01942
486937 or at
c.dunbar@wlct.org.
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust: Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust is a
charitable trust working on behalf of Wigan Council to manage and
support leisure and cultural facilities, initiatives and events for over
300,000 residents in the Wigan Borough. See
www.wlct.org.
Getting Wigan Active: Getting Wigan Active is Wigan Leisure and Culture
Trust’s vision to help people across the Wigan Borough to become more
physically, mentally and creatively active. It also aims to increase
community activity and to encourage good citizenship.
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Joe Riley and Heather Donlon enjoying
a park |