Boultham Park Beacon - Issue 5: Spring 2018

Issue 5: Spring 2018

Fully restored bandstand Interviews with key staff and volunteers Fab cake design competition and more!

In this issue...

Caroline’s community corner............. 2 Robert Pitchford, BPAG Chairman...... 3 Park advocate, John Pye.................... 4 Mini explorers....................................... 4 Volunteer Lindsay................................ 5 City of Lincoln Council’s Lee George 6 Bandstand through the decades....... 8 Education centre and café................ 10 Volunteer boost.................................... 12 Thank you to volunteers...................... 14 Magical music...................................... 16 Play Park .............................................. 18 Park Patrons.......................................... 19

Working hard on transforming the park at ground level are: Caroline Wallis Community Development Worker caroline.wallis@linkage.org.uk 07436 539936 Neville Coupland Project Assistant neville.coupland@linkage.org.uk 07834 335669

Caroline’s Community Corner Hello, everyone and happy New Year!

2017 saw a huge amount of redevelopment within the park and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your patience while the construction works took place.

I hope that you will agree with me when I say that the park is much improved and the new features, such as the café, look fantastic as part of the landscape.

With the restoration aspect of the project almost complete, 2018 will see us focus on bringing the park to life with plenty of events and activities for the community to enjoy.

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In this issue, we’ll be meeting some new faces; Rob Pitchford, Chair of Boultham Park Advisory Group, and Dave Walker, Volunteer Coordinator for the City of Lincoln Council. We’ll also be sharing some photos of the fantastic new Boultham Park Education Centre and Campus. Plus, news and reviews of what’s been happening, what’s coming up next and the ‘Play Park’ activity page.

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Oh, and keep your eye out for our special ‘Save the Date’ announcement!

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With best wishes

Barbara Moulson Fundraising Manager fundraising@linkage.org.uk 01790 752499

Robert Pitchford Chairman of Boultham Park Advisory Group (BPAG) The park sits in the middle of a bustling city The skyline visible all around.

There are large oak trees scattered about And winding paths hug the ground.

A gentle breeze pushes the soft grass Back and forth with effortless might.

The sunlight pushes its way past the leaves of trees Creating dappled, swaying light.

This is Boultham Park, where children come to play Tag and other mischievous games.

Their laughter almost drowns out the hard sound Of the bustling city that surrounds Who are we?

BPAG are an integral part of local community activity. Co-operating with the City Council, Linkage and national groups, as well as individuals, to create and maintain diverse volunteer opportunities while fostering a positive welcoming environment for volunteers in all park activities.

It has been my pleasure to take over the role as Chairman of Boultham Park Advisory Group. My predecessor, John Pye, has served the park well for many years and will continue to do so as Chairman of Beacon Activities who are the activity group supporting BPAG. The construction and redevelopment work is coming to an end and the result

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is tremendous. The café and glasshouse offer a venue for everyone who visits the park while the Linkage College offer a ‘best in class’ seat of learning for their students.

BPAG will continue to assist events planned for the park in 2018 and hope we can count on the support of all local residents to bolster attendance. I hope that we will be able to work with other parks, along with the City of Lincoln Council, to ensure we get the services needed to maintain the fabric of the park.

We are always looking for new members to join our team, if you are interested please email me at: robert.pitchford1@btinternet.com

BPAG Mission Statement:

To improve the outlook of our local Park and open spaces while maintaining its heritage as a premier green space in Lincoln. www.boulthampark.co.uk

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John Pye Beacon Brilliance, Weir Wonder now Bold Banksman!

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ohn Pye, local resident and park advocate extraordinaire, has once again shown the ethic of actions speaking louder than words.

In January he helped build up the lake edge around the weir to enable safe spaces for servicing. Collaborating with Continental Landscapes and the City of Lincoln Council, John and a team spent a few weeks in the cold and wet of winter making significant improvements.

The weir/gully is working tremendously and that means a lot of lake foliage and debris is drawn that way because of the

improved flow. Keeping that tidy means regular checks and going to the edge to clear it. As you can see the defined, solid edge now enables that to happen seamlessly. A huge hurrah goes to John and the team for making another leap forward in park performance.

You can see John in the cafĂŠ here after he was presented with a gift from the project team. He received a framed technical drawing of the weir he built. It was drawn by volunteer Lindsay Johnson, read her story on the next page.

Mini Explorers G

reat news for children and parents as we have a new local volunteer providing exciting daytime mini explorer sessions.

Lisa has a real eye for detail and provided some exciting sessions around the bandstand and the bowling club.

We look forward to some more fun when the weather warms up this year so keep your eyes peeled on our social media pages for those details. For those of you who love the forest fun with Jo, never fear, they are set to continue on Saturdays as well.

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www.boulthampark.co.uk

GIVING SOMETHING BACK

MY CONTRIBUTION TO THE ENVIRONMENT

Visualisation of the community garden

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ello my name is Lindsay and I’m a volunteer with the project.

After working in retail management for over sixteen years I made a big decision to retrain and gained a masters degree in Landscape Architecture. I felt it was time to do something in something I cared strongly about - designing and creating beautiful places and contributing towards developing sustainable landscapes, with thriving communities.

For the project, I have worked on a heritage interpretation board which stands at the head of the hall footprint; a ‘Nature Hunter’ leaflet to help children connect with their natural surroundings and learn about commonly seen native species; and the artwork for a new sundial face, which will go into the park on completion.

Another of my projects is a feasibility study for the community garden. It includes information about the site such as soil and geology type, vegetation and tree survey, climatic conditions, and it’s history and land use. All the information is then analysed and a solution to drawbacks,

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or enhancements to advantages are considered to produce a concept.

I have also worked on a design and access statement for a community garden on Hall Drive and produced a booklet that explains the design and outlines the thinking behind that proposal. It includes the masterplan, access and circulation information, planting information, planting plans and schedules and basic maintenance recommendations.

Volunteering has enabled me to build on existing experience and knowledge and enhance my portfolio and, as a consequence my career prospects. It has given me access to opportunities I may not otherwise have had.

The main advantage of working as a volunteer is that I am giving something back to the landscape of the city in which I have grown up and enjoyed. Green spaces are a gift in any city and it is important we care for them and maintain them. Fundamentally, they are the lungs of our cities.

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Lee George Community Contracts Officer at the City of Lincoln Council talks to the Beacon

What is your role at Boultham Park?

workers. Ensuring the park is clear and safe for public use is a major part of my work.

I am the Community Contracts Officer, which involves the responsibility for grounds maintenance and day to day running of the park.

What is your feeling about the restoration?

I’m also the Open Spaces Officer for the whole of Lincoln. General work from grass cutting to litter picking, hedge cutting and tree works in collaboration with the tree officer. Any additional issues arising are handled via myself through contacted 6

I’ve been looking after the park in various capacities for 19 years. The main body of the park has really improved the openness and the addition of the café and hall footprint redevelopment.

The sightlines across the park are better.

For evenings the new lighting has been www.boulthampark.co.uk

added and CCTV gives an added element of security for park users. The bandstand looks fantastic; the bridges have all been improved and the tilting weir is helping the lake. It will be great to see the main gates which are currently being restored as well.

clear approach to the lake, along with improving water quality and some tree works. We don’t currently have funding for these works, but we are committed to this aim.

What are your biggest challenges?

What was your first experience of Boultham Park?

Encouraging everyone to look after the park as it’s a free and open service which each generation has access to and in I moved closer to the park when I became years to come young people will be bringing their children along to use the an Urban Ranger and used to regularly park after them. As previously discussed, patrol the park. So I know it very well. I bringing the lake back up to standard so like that the park has wooded areas and open spaces which give lots of options for we have a fantastic looking park all round. walking or families to enjoy the park.

How important are green spaces Lakes and streams are nice to walk by and for Lincoln and people? now the new facilities really enhance it.

The tennis, bowls and putting give a great variety of things to do there.

How would you compare the other parks and open spaces in Lincoln?

Hartsholme is a bit different to Boultham Park, it’s more of a country park. The Arboretum has a similar set of features but it’s not as big, so Boultham Park does have more options from its size, large lake and open space for sports. They all have their appeal depending on the day and activity.

Do you have any lake news?

This is one of the Council’s priorities and of course, like the public, it is something I want to see done. It’s such a big part of the park and its appeal. We have started with the addition of the tilting weir which was led by volunteers. It is slowly improving the water quality. The bankings are a major part of what needs doing to prevent erosion and creating an attractive and

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They are great! I have had first hand example of my three children learning to ride their push bikes in Boultham Park.

There are lots of streets with busy roads so you can’t do that there and you need a nice open space like this.

People can walk and exercise their dogs, have a picnic in the summer time, or just have fresh air and away from working in the city away from vehicles. Open spaces are critical for the wildlife and people using them.

What do you do in your free time?

Walking my dog, biking, relaxing and going out for a meal from time to time.

Thanks Lee! 7

Bandstand performances to get Boultham Park dancing through the decades

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or almost as long as it has been open to the public, the landscape of Boultham Park has been dominated by its iconic bandstand, officially opened in 1936.

Restored last year and now supplied with power, this handsome structure is all set to bring the music back to the much-loved community space.

Starting in March and taking place on the last Sunday of each month through to July, we have put together a programme of free-toattend performances by talented local bands and artists, each featuring different decades of the park’s long history, with the first focusing on the roaring 1920s.

Caroline Wallis, Community Development Worker, says: “We are delighted to be bringing the bandstand back into use after its extensive restoration and are looking forward to seeing people from all over Lincoln and beyond come and enjoy the music we have lined up.

On Sunday 25th March, we welcomed the City of Lincoln Band and the White Faces Project to take us back to the glitz and glamour of the 1920s (see left). The White Faces Project taught us how to dance like a flapper while the band played tunes from the era where the skirts got shorter and the strings of pearls got longer!

We are especially pleased that all of our musicians are based locally and we’d like to thank them for their support of the Project by taking part in these performances. Further thanks must go to Matt Hewson, who has volunteered to assist us with the sound set up for the events, and also to everyone who plays the National Lottery, who support Heritage Lottery Fund projects through the sale of their tickets.”

Those coming to watch are welcome to bring their own seating, if required, but dancing is very much encouraged. Drinks and snacks are available from the new Boultham Park Café (see pages 10-11).

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www.boulthampark.co.uk

Bandstand Through The Decades Last Sunday of Every Month, from 1pm - March to July 2018 To celebrate the restoration of the bandstand, we are putting on five performances, each featuring different decades in the park’s history.

Sunday 25th March 1920s

City of Lincoln Band …&… The White Faces Project

Sunday 29th April

30s/40s

Sunday 27th May Sunday 24th June Sunday 29th July

50s/60s 70s/80s 90s/00s/10s

Learn how to dance like a flapper!

Stand In Blues Band …&… Gary Rudd

George Formby Tribute

Rochelle Ayris …&… Lincoln Ukulele Band Suburban Toys …&… The Detail Courtney Jade …&… Naughty Step

Top tip: You are welcome to bring your own seating

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fter a long wait Linkage, the learning disability charity, are delighted that our learners are now settling into Lincoln’s very first specialist further education college for young people with learning difficulties and disabilities, as a key milestone of the Boultham Park Restoration Project is reached.

Valerie Waby the CEO of Linkage says “We are so excited to be open. This fantastic purpose-built education centre and campus is such an important part of the project, not only for Linkage and our college learners, but also for the whole of the community as the campus sees the introduction of a park café, something I know was on the wish list of many members of the community, and the addition of a mini-garden centre, both of which are open to the public. If people haven’t been to the café yet I’d really encourage them to pay us a visit, we’d love to see you there.”

About the college

Linkage College is an independent further education college offering a specialist learning experience to young people and adults aged 16-25 with a range of learning difficulties and disabilities.

We give learners the opportunity to increase their knowledge and become skilled through engaging 10

in real-life and work-related purposeful activities which focus on developing independence and employability skills.

The campus

The new Boultham Park facility offers unique learning, training and employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities, giving them the chance to learn, develop and achieve their aspirations. www.boulthampark.co.uk

The campus is full of the latest learning technology and has fantastic purposebuilt facilities. The College offers a wide range of courses across all its campuses including Business and Administration, Retail, Hospitality, Catering, Horticulture, Media, Performing Arts, Sports Leadership and Personal and Social Development.

The education centre includes a selfcontained independence suite featuring a lounge, workspace, en-suite bathroom and a fabulous kitchen area with a height adjustable induction cooker (making it genuinely fully accessible). This space is invaluable in helping our learners develop the skills needed to lead as independent lives as possible.

The Boultham Park Café

The new community café offers a delicious range of homemade snacks and meals to members of the public, while providing real work experiences for our students.

Offering freshly cooked snacks and meals, prepared daily in our industry standard kitchen, there is a wide choice of eat-in and take-away options available, from all day full English breakfasts to daily specials.

For dog owners there is a serving hatch and picnic benches.

Visit us 7 days a week: Monday – Friday 9am – 4pm Saturday 8am – 4pm Sunday 9am – 4pm.

public will be able to shop from a range of produce grown by learners in our large outdoor Poly-tunnel, fruit cages and vegetable area. Our learners will also be supplying plants for the park and vegetables for the café.

Maintaining the park

It’s not just on the campus where Linkage learners are flexing their horticulture muscles, they’re getting to work in the park too. From planting and weeding to general ground maintenance, they are helping to restore the park back to its former glory and keep it in prime condition.

Room for hire

The Boultham Park project is all about community and as part of the Heritage Lottery and Big Lottery funding Linkage College will be making space within the education centre available to the public to hire. The room can accommodate up to 30 people (depending on the activity) and will be available out of normal college hours. If you are looking for a space to host a group, club or event contact Rebecca Cullen on 01522 812550 or email rebecca.cullen@linkage.org.uk for more information and costs.

Linkage is so proud to be part of the partnership with the City of Lincoln Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund, Boultham Park is a wonderful place for our learners and the whole community to enjoy!

The mini-garden centre

The large glasshouse onsite will serve as a mini garden centre as well as an exciting teaching space. Learners are currently planning the layout of the centre as part of their Project Based Learning studies.

Opening in the spring, members of the

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Volunteer Boost for Lincoln s we enter the final year of the A Boultham Park Restoration Project, we are looking at ways to ensure that the park continues to thrive.

The Project has benefitted from thousands of volunteer hours over the past four years, with many of those – both individuals and groups – returning on a regular basis, and we are particularly keen to keep the momentum going.

We would like to introduce you to Dave who will be the first point of contact for all enquiries relating to volunteering at Boultham Park from now on, although the Project Team will continue to deliver the majority of voluntary opportunities until September 2018.

Who is that?

Contact me on: 01522 518920 / 07912 898640 Or dave.walker@continental-landscapes.co.uk

Hello! I’m Dave Walker, the City of Lincoln Council’s new Volunteer Coordinator. My job role is quite unique as my employer is actually Continental Landscapes Limited, who have taken the opportunity to work in closer partnership with the City of Lincoln Council through the introduction of this post.

Lincoln’s South Common. However, there are several other sites where there are opportunities for volunteering: Boultham Park, of course, but also Hartsholme Country Park, West Common, Cowpaddle Common and Swanholme Lake which is also designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

I have the responsibility of providing opportunities for volunteering within Lincoln’s green spaces. This could include opportunities for individuals and organisations who are keen to be seen as proactive. The objective will be focused on the overall enhancement and added value of open spaces for both the general public and wildlife.

Why have you been appointed into this role?

Initially I identified volunteers interested on improving Birchwood Nature Park and 12

Part of the Council’s vision for 2020 involves the enhancement of the city’s natural environment by embedding the principles of nature conservation wherever possible. Therefore part of my role will be to help improve the biodiversity of Lincoln’s green spaces. This will involve looking at the development of areas in new ways. www.boulthampark.co.uk

Lincoln’s green spaces are very varied and each have their own set of challenges when it comes to how to best manage them. Birchwood Nature Park and the Common areas contain a wide range of natural and semi-natural habitats. However, the Arboretum is maintained to a very formal standard where the challenge faced is how to increase natural habitat sensitively and bring wildlife into the city. Boultham Park has both formal and semi-wild areas, bringing its own unique challenges!

as a method of reducing anxiety and stress, working with like-minded individuals in a friendly environment can also help encourage the development of social skills. Further benefits is in the empowerment it gives and feeling that you are giving something back to society or the environment as a whole. It can be life changing and very beneficial to health and state of mind and a great opportunity to develop transferable skills which may be especially valuable to the long-term unemployed.

It has also been my responsibility to draw up sympathetic management proposals which identify areas that could be enhanced using volunteer groups.

I am very enthusiastic about my new position and look forward to, with your support, enhancing Lincoln’s green spaces, but what truly enthuses me is the opportunity to encourage biodiversity within Lincoln where it is sadly lacking.

Why would people give up their time to volunteer?

The benefit of working in open areas, especially woodland, is well documented

I would love to hear from you if you would like to volunteer in one of Lincoln’s green spaces.

Save The Date

Saturday 19th May 2018 Boultham Park Opening Celebration

To celebrate the completion of the Boultham Park Restoration Project in Lincoln, Linkage and City of Lincoln Council are holding an Opening Celebration on Saturday 19th May. We would be delighted if you could join us.

Thank you, Park Friends

Co-op keep in touch n a sunny day in June we were O lucky to have the voluntary manpower from the Co-op, Lincoln.

Led by Rachel the Education and Volunteering co-ordinator, the team set about undercoating the St Helens Church railings just by the Hall Drive car park.

Above: Some of independent voluntary group ‘Beacon Activities’ with Chair and Secretary of BPAG, Rob and Di Pitchfield.

Left to Right – John, Isabelle, Liz, Kirsty, Jack, Rob, Di, John and Colin.

A group of the volunteers also did an excellent job clearing debris from the car park edges. Visually the area looks a lot more presentable and much easier to maintain. It is great to see the local businesses and staff enthusiastically helping out for the benefit of the communities around their stores. We thank everyone involved for their efforts.

Not one to let a job go unfinished the Coop came back with reinforcements in July. A smaller team of five people completed the top coats on the church and car park railings along with a bonus litter pick around the park as well.

Great community effort!

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he restoration project team would like to thank and commend Trudi Hayes for her outstanding volunteering work on a variety of park related topics from designing leaflets, signs and maps to Beacon production and a whole host of other things which have been invaluable. Trudi has now moved onto pastures new.

Many thanks and best wishes from all at Boultham Park.

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See www.boulthampark.co.uk for more photos.

www.boulthampark.co.uk

Local people lend a hand We have been really blessed by the hard work and effort of the Barton TocH team.

Led by the UKs youngest group leader Martin Bavin in the cold of January they once again pulled out the stops to make the memorial garden a smarter space.

Majorly in this visit the work included creating a new entrance which encourages visitors leaving the park to pop in and have a look round. The younger members had fun spreading the wood chippings around the paths while some of the bigger people spread out the silver birches which were lined up ceremoniously.

The extended footpath makes use of the entire space. The garden feels bigger and zones are established for planned features in the future. There is a lovely peaceful ambiance as you pass by the WW1 memorial.

Credit to Nick a local volunteer who has been involved with the garden as well as the Linkage allotment, a big thank you to him and Barton TocH. Let us know what you think on your next visit, and if you feel you can be involved get in touch. www.boulthampark.co.uk

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Magical Music

PLAY PARK Design a birthday cake for Boultham Park!

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fter the first carol concert in 2016, by popular public demand the second carol concert at St Helens church was held in December.

Musicians Alex and Jo (above) led the guitar based carols for over 40 people enjoying the festive entertainment.

Singer Chrissy brought her beautiful voice to the church and we also had a guest appearance by Claire for a bouncy version of Winter Wonderland to add to the mix.

It was great to see some new faces join in the event and plenty of people were returning for a second helping. St Helens is such a wonderful atmospheric place it’s no wonder that the Ellison family developed the church as their place of worship, adding a spiritual ambiance to the park grounds and while giving us a fantastic place to visit, it also shows us a look into the past.

If you are interested in the church services, events and activities please get in touch with Angela Smith, the church warden, on 01522 530001.

We’re holding a huge celebration to reopen the park and where there’s a celebration there’s got to be a CAKE! The celebration will take place on Saturday 19th May, shortly after the park’s 89th birthday.

We’re inviting all primary school aged children in the Boultham area to design a cake for our celebration.

The winner will receive a VIP invite to the big day and a goodie bag, including a slice of cake!

We’d love your design to show us what you consider to be your favourite things about the park.

We’d also really like you to include the Boultham Park logo and the number 89 somewhere in your design.

Use the template on the next page for your design.

You can send your completed design to Room 538, City Hall, Beaumont Fee, Lincoln, LN1 1DD or email it to caroline. wallis@linkage.org.uk. Please remember to tell us your name, age, address and contact details.

The closing date for entries is Sunday 6th May 2018. GOOD LUCK! In collaboration with SugarArt of Lincoln

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PLAY PARK Birthday cake template

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Boultham Park Tidy Ups

Saturday 12th May, Saturday 7th July, Saturday 29th September 10am - 12pm Meet in the Hall Drive car park, LN6 7SW

Come and help us keep the park looking its best.

Everything you need to get stuck in will be provided, including a drink and a snack! Suitable clothes and footwear are essential.

Contact: Rob and Diane Pitchford 07765188544 - diane.pitchford5@btinternet.com

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www.boulthampark.co.uk

Park Patrons are helping us reach our fundraising target!

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new way to support the project was launched last autumn, which offers businesses and individuals the chance to become a Park Patron by making a £500 or £250 donation to the Capital Appeal.

There is still £95,000 needed to match the Lottery grant, and six companies have already come forward to help us reach our target.

Can you or your company help, too?

Please get in touch: email fundraising@linkage.org.uk or call 07879 451034.

Thank you for supporting the Boultham Park Restoration Project.

Thank you to our Park Patrons:

Gold Jointine Products (Lincoln) Ltd Pennells Garden Centres Crucis Consultants Gere Menswear Peter Cole Consultants Page Nelson Solicitors

Silver Lincat www.boulthampark.co.uk

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s part of the match funding campaign headed

by Philip Barnett and supported by Barbara Moulson, a number of Lincoln businesses have become Park Patrons.

Lincat were one of the businesses to support this initiative and became a Silver Patron. Robert Pitchford collected their cheque for £250 and presented the certificate to Helen Applewhite, Marketing Manager at Lincat (pictured below).

Philip, Barbara and the whole appeal team hope that many more Lincoln based businesses will support their efforts to achieve match funding through 2018’ 19

The Heritage Lottery Fund use money raised by National Lottery players to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about.

• • • • •

Largest dedicated funder of heritage in the UK Leading advocate for the value of heritage £7.1billion awarded to over 40,000 projects since 1994 Grants from £3,000 Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and visit our online community - hlf.org.uk/community

Linkage Community Trust is a Registered Charity (No. 504913) and Company Limited by Guarantee (No. 01240377) The Boultham Park Restoration Project is supported by a £2.7million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund ‘Parks for People’ initiative, alongside the capital appeal and many other valued contributions.