Tree Felling at the Queens Park

There has been a few complaints this week about what's happening at the park. Firstly a lot of trees are being removed by the new cafe and by the lake so you can get a betters view of the lake etc from the new cafe. About 6 have already been felled and there are more to come. Many people don't agree that trees that have been around for year should be felled in this way what do you think?

The second problem is that one of the park keepers is finishing in June and wont be replaced and there has been discussions going on if the other park keeper will have to go. How the park will be protected and who will be there to help people is still open to debate. Having spent 6.5 million on the park don't we need someone to look after it and be there to help?

Thirdly its believed that firm who have done the cycle track to Nantwich have agreed to do the main paths in the park on condition bikes can go in the park. Again many fear the BMX will then come in and put people in danger. While sensible bikers maybe fine what about idiots?

The bowls hut is getting close to being finished as a new Zinc roof goes on and the main veranda is now in place. Lets hope its open for the new season.

The lodges are having a roof maker over as you can see. As a lot of the work is behind covered safety sheets there is not a lot to see.

The cafe roof is now not far off being done its seems to have taken forever to do the roof but its now looking good with all the daffs out(wonder how many will be left after mothering Sunday). Once the roof is done there isn't a lot of work to do inside as its a big open space.

The Boar war work has ground to a halt at the moment.

Boer War Memorial uncovered

The Boer War Memorial has had the base uncovered as part of the restoration. It has been covered for at least 35 years as we have photos showing it covered at that time how long before that it was covered we are not sure. What was amazing was that someone had covered the old bolts in grease and cloth all those years ago and now they are as new.

Below the statue as it used to be

Spring has come to the park in the shape of the daffs display which is always a good show but its been the first time in a few years that they haven't been behind the barriers so this time we can see them in all their glory

By the lake the trees and bushes are also bursting into life for spring with a wonderful show

Work is still going ahead with the cafe and bowls hut mostly on the installation of the roof. The old hut in the play area has now been totally  removed and will be put back soon in the new play area.

Friends of Queens Park Meeting No 23

Wednesday 9th March 2011
Queen’s Park

Attendances
Derek Morgan    Sheila Blackburn    Elaine Dodd Allan Leah    Mervyn Goodwin    Roy Cartlidge Pam Minshall    Graeme Fletcher    Roy Prince
Lisa Prime    Daniel Prime    Linda Cooke Ray Stafford    Dave Lumley    K Morrell Nigel Irlam    Carl Clarke    Jan Wright
Maureen Grant    Bronwyn Dean    Roy Sparkes Janet Sparkes    Keith Harding   

1.0  Apologies
Councillor Dorothy Flude    Tim Crewe - Ghost Tours    Hazel Evans
George Broughton    Mark Wheelton   

No    Item
2.0    Previous Minutes
The minutes of the last meeting were agreed as correct
3.0    Matters Arising from the Minutes
None
4.0

    Friends Chairperson’s Update and works in progress
Derek Morgan presented his report.
( Comments and questions arising are itemised below )

i. Pavilions – Contractor ‘Tolent’
Completion expected early May. Weather much better and some construction time has been caught up, but some time has been lost due to recent theft of recently installed electricity cables (copper value). The roof structure and walls are approaching completion and the internal works are in progress.

ii. Lodges- Contractor ‘ISG’
A 16 week programme commencing 31st January and completion date is 20th May.  A good start has been made with the site compound fenced off, cabins installed, scaffolding erected, demolition of non-original extensions completed and some stone cleaning underway.  A temporary access has been created 50 yds from the Lodge to assist users of the Park - it has been signed accordingly at both entrances.

iii. Structures – Contractor ‘Maysand’

The scope of works, for this contractor, includes the restoration of the Clock Tower, Boer War memorial, the monkey shelter (Southern Timber Shelter) and Play Area Shelter.  Works commence on the 14th March; completion date and programme are not known yet but probably about 12 weeks.

iv. Play Area- Contractor: County Landscapes
There are some defects still to be made good and a new path linking gym equipment is proposed,  plus removal of old play area agreed. Timescale is likely to be approximately four to six weeks and should commence on 14th March.

v. Footpaths
Costs for footpath works are due within the next two weeks, following which we will be able to agree the scope of works, programme, finalise costs and decide which contractors will be involved.

vi. Connect 2 Works

The traffic calming works and Tipkinder crossing is underway this week with a new cycleway across Tipkinder. Access for disabled drivers is possible but a bit restricted until the new access road through the depot is formed as part of the footpath works later in the summer.

LAKE

The Weeping Willow just coming into leaf looking good

Fish are to be returned this month. Following checks it appears that there has been a lot of poaching of the large carp. When the holding pool is partially drained it will be possible to determine how many large carp are left. A health check requires ten fish, so assuming there are only fifteen it would be better to give them away to our partner angling clubs and purchase a new healthy stock.  This will be investigated.

CAFETERIA PROCUREMENT

The Queens Park Cafeteria Services was recently advertised via the Councils procurement process, however, the contact was linked to three park sites of which CEC has received an objection.  We await legal advice on how this will be resolved and will let the group know in due course. 
The Parks Manager has applied for a Cafeteria Licence for the sale of alcohol and to utilise the venue for entertainment to increase opportunities to maximise footfall through events, functions and refreshment sales.  Maximum opening hours the cafeteria could potentially operate is between 8am – 2am with alcohol and hot food sales up to 1am -- again to facilitate the venue fully for functions and events. We will invite the successful contractor  to introduce themselves to a future Friends meeting once the contract details are confirmed.

POTENTIAL RE-OPENING EVENT
No Palace confirmation has been received.  Therefore, it is proposed to plan for the
re-opening possibly on the second Saturday of September.  This will allow sufficient time to make the event arrangements and engage with the community.  Also, the Park will be much closer to completion.  Should the Palace confirm, separate arrangements for an appropriate event/display will need to be arranged.

The heritage lottery visited the site to discuss the Managers initial pre grant application.  Whilst that went well, they require longevity of activities to be confirmed.  Given the restricted resources available in terms of administration we are not sure how practical this is.   The grant application was £15k; however, some limited monies have been identified within the project which would ease the event arrangements considerably. 
Key events would include a re-creation of the original procession which entered the Park.  Already discussions are underway with local art workers to produce costumes with school children to recreate this, a marching band and fireman’s arch echoing the event of some 120+ years ago.  The later date makes school involvement possible.  Plus, Victorian themed side shows.... budget permitting.  And, concluding with a pyro-show, the like of which most local residents would not have seen.  This would be an interpretation of Crewe evolving from an industrial engineering town into today’s more modern economy.  We await to confirm availability of this performance.

5.0    HLF Agreed Project Extension
HLF has agreed to extend the expiry date until the end of September.
6.0    Lake Fishing
Refer to Chair’s report above.
7.0    Cafeteria Procurement
Refer to Chair’s report above.
8..0    Re-opening Event
Refer to Chair’s report above.

9.0    AOB
Q: Is the Tipkinder Car park to be resurfaced?
A: (A. Leah) no money is available for resurfacing or bay marking etc – to undertake this project would take monies from the paths in the park. The problems with the TipKinder car park are problems with holes, rather than a need to resurface – finding filler for these can probably be arranged.
Park access for events and disabled drivers will change as the paths are completed – there will be no vehicle access via the east gate when the project is finished.
To the west, the new Cycleway needs soil and reseeding from the Golf Club area.

Opening of south and west gates: The gates are being fabricated. The final costing for refurbishment of paths is greater than foreseen. This is partly because some of the paths were not  originally well-constructed. It is envisaged that the paths project will enable a link norh –south and east –west through the park and across the bridges. Other paths might have to be given a temporary surface until further funding is available.

Q: When will the Games Pavilion be completed? The season begins on April 1st.
A: It is scheduled for completion by 1st May and won’t be far off completion when the season starts. Temporary facilities will be confirmed in the interim – Elaine to arrange.

Q: When will there be access to Burma Star Island and use of that bridge? Could the barriers be removed so that the bridge can be used as a viewing platform?
A: It will be linked to the forthcoming footpath project and  take into account changing levels and gradients, plus some changes to footpath layout.  The viewing platform suggestion will be considered.

Q: Will the large roof space area of the new pavilion be utilised?
A: No. As in the original plans, the beams will remain exposed and the open-plan design will allow a clear vista.

Q: Is the double swing in the new playground dangerous?
A: It is in accordance with required health and safety standards – some signs about suitable age group of users and usage will be considered.

Q: The gym equipment area gets very muddy – what can be done about this?
A: A path link is to be added and drainage improved.

Q: What are the two Lodge houses to be used for?
A:  They will be used for offices, staff facilities and as a community facility with approved and signed disabled access and toilets.

Q: What sort of re-opening event will there be? Will it be in place of the Carnival?
A: The event is no longer contingent on a royal visit (see Chair’s notes above) but requires an amount of funding that is not currently available. Nigel Irlam suggested approaching the townspeople for support by staging publicity events in the town centres.
It was pointed out that the Friends Group, as organisers, is not a registered Charity.

It was also suggested that a plan of action for the publicity be put to the Town Centre Manager by Nigel.
There was a further suggestion that the opening event should involve local community groups and reflect the multi-cultural society we live in.
With regards to Carnival, CEC has not approved any event budget.  The re-opening event is a separate issue and has only £10k allocated at this time with a further £5k contributed form Crewe Trustees.

 

Q: How will children and young people be involved?
A: Elaine referred to the success of the Christmas Lantern Procession. If the opening goes ahead in September (?) there will be a Victorian Parade with multi-generational involvement. School-based workshops could begin in June. If there is to be a parade, a route will have to be agreed – all ideas are welcome!
AOB    Derek Morgan : presented the Friends Group with a cheque for £85, this being half the proceeds of Santa’s Grotto in the Park, as agreed. He was thanked for all his work on this project.
He also advised the group of a September event for Scouts: The Monopoly Live Run with groups camping overnight in the Park, entertainment, a Jamboree and sponsored prizes.
Donations will be made to the Friends Group.
AOB    Elaine informed the group that there is to be a competition to name the new Pavilion and details will be in the Chronicle.
A time capsule will also be buried this year and suggestions for its contents are invited.
DONM:
    Wednesday 20th April at 5.30pm
Venue to be confirmed

Name the new Cafe

With work well underway on the new cafeteria pavilion in Queens Park, the Chronicle would like to offer readers a chance to name the building, which is to replace the 34-year-old Jubilee Cafeteria.

The impressive timber structure is now in place and the design will enable users to view the internal timbers when using the new facility.

The wall materials, on both the cafe and games pavilion, have been carefully chosen to match the sandstone on the two lodges located at the park’s main entrance, where possible.

Councillor Andrew Knowles, Cabinet member with responsibility for health and wellbeing, said: “Queens Park, as the name implies, has many royal connections with a history to suit. Readers may wish to name it after a royal event, maybe one that is taking place this year or even a past occasion.

“The details of the winners will be engraved on a plaque within the building and they will also be invited to be the first people to enjoy a meal in the new facility, together with up to five of their friends and family.”

Readers are also invited to suggest ideas for what items they consider should go into a time capsule, which will be buried in the park grounds. Those with the winning suggestions will receive a voucher for coffee or tea and cake for two at the cafe.

Councillor Roy Cartlidge, ward member for Crewe West, said: “This is a quality facility which will be the hub of activities within Queens Park and a focal meeting point for many years to come.

“We obviously can’t keep referring to it as the new pavilion and so would welcome readers’ ideas. The idea for the time capsules is a fun one which will provide much enjoyment when it is unveiled in years to come.”

Queens Park, once renowned as one of the finest parks in the North West, is undergoing a £6.5m transformation to bring it back to its former glory. The Heritage Lottery Fund is providing a £2.7m support grant with the rest of the investment coming from Cheshire East Council.

Within the park’s 45 acres are walkways, trees, shrubs, planting, children’s play area, crown green bowling, putting, boating lake (currently drained for construction works), grassed areas, memorials and cafeteria.

For more information on the Queens Park restoration project, visit the Queens Park web pages at: www.queensparkcrewe.com or www.cheshireeast.gov.uk – then click on ‘leisure, culture and tourism’, then follow links to the park pages.    

Those without online access can request a paper copy from Queens Park manager Elaine Dodd, on 01270 537896.

SEND YOUR ENTRIES TO:

Suggested capsule items can be sent on a postcard to:

Elaine Dodd, Pym’s Lane Depot, Pym’s Lane, Crewe, CW1 3PJ.

Entries to be received no later than Friday, March 18.

Don’t forget to include your name, address, daytime telephone number and email address if you have one.

This week has seen the new steps go in and part of the roof going on

The lodges are progressing with the West lodge having the rear which wasnt original knocked down

The scaffolding is also up around the lodge for external work to be done.

The bowls hut is coming on with most of the wood now in place and its hoped it will be open for the new season, the grass has been cut ready to go.

Some news from the Friends meeting that the work on the Boar War, the clock tower and the Monkey hut will start next week. fish have been put back into the lake this week but there is still more to come so hopefully people will be able to fish soon. Outside the park by Tipkinder new drains have been going in this week as the area is always flooded.

Spotted on the lake on Saturday this Coot. I am not sure exactly what type it is but its new to the park and if you look closely you can see its ringed on its leg. It doesn't appear to be a common bird in this area.

Latin name

Fulica atra

Family

Rails (Rallidae)

Overview

All-black and larger than its cousin, the moorhen, it has a distinctive white beak and 'shield' above the beak which earns it the title 'bald'. Its feet have distinctive lobed flaps of skin on the toes, which act instead of webs when swimming. It patters noisily over the water before taking off and can be very aggressive towards others.

Where to see them

Mainly on freshwater lakes, gravel pits, reservoirs, rivers and town park lakes when deep enough. Sometimes seen offshore, especially in winter if freshwater areas are frozen.

Friends agenda

 

QUEENS PARK
RESTORATION PROJECT

Friends Meeting (22)
Wednesday 9th March, 2010   5.30pm
At   Marshfield Community Centre, off West Street, Crewe

Agenda

1.    Apologies

2.    Minutes of Last meeting

3.    Matters Arising

4.    Friends Chairpersons Update and Works in Progress

5.    HLF Agreed Project Extension

6.    Lake Fishing

7.    Cafeteria Procurement

8.    Grant Applications - Potential Re-Opening Event 2011

9.    Any Other Matters

10.    Date of Next Meeting

On Thursday there was a taster session for Fitness Walking and Nordic Walking Poles in the queens park. Its hoped that further sessions will take place later in the year.

The work on the lodges continues as the rear of the east lodge is being removed as part of the restoration.

The bowls hut veranda is coming on and the second chimney is now visible its hoped the slates can go on the roof in the near future.

 

The cafe they are just starting to put the roof tiles on and the ends are now completed so you can see the sandstone effect coming alive now. If the weather hold I would imagine the roof will be near completion next week

Lodges

There is work going on at the park but its hard to show much change from last week that can be seen in a picture. The lodge has now got scaffolding around it ready for the work to begin. As you can see we are starting to see the first flush of spring as the pansies come into flower.

The cafe you can just see the bricks on the front triangles but there is still so much scaffolding that its hard to see but once again the flowers brighten the place up

Gatehouse lodges update

The work on the lodges is well under way and the rear of the lodge above has been knocked down all ready. Scaffolding is going up around the lodges so the roof etc can be done.

The second chimney on the bowls club is now visible and the roof is under way. The  work done over a week doesn't show up well in a photo unless you look close at the weekly pictures to see the changes.

Our friend the Mandarin Duck has stayed with us over the winter and is looking very colourful at this time of year.

I caught site of this cheeky chappy  having his dinner on one of the bird box's

.

At Morton road end the clean up continues and the Monkey hut is now free from rubbish and the area is clean. Hopefully it wont be long before we can get the paths done and get round that side.

By the lake at the golf coarse end a tree has suffered from the high winds and come down with a bump

House proud at Queens Park

 

Work has begun to restore the gatehouse lodges at Queens Park to their former glory. 

While the work is under way, the adjoining main gates on Victoria Avenue will be closed. However, a temporary entrance has been created 50 yards along the road, for pedestrian access.

A total of £300,000 has been allocated for the refurbishment, which includes new roof cladding, replacement windows, porch repairs, demolition of extensions and structures that are not original, reinstatement of drainpipes and gutters to match originals and restoration of the garden and boundary walls to their original condition and location. 

Both lodges will have new gas central heating boilers, new floor coverings and be completely redecorated.

The West Lodge will also get a disabled toilet, new kitchen, offices, new memorabilia room and a meeting room for school groups and other users.

The East Lodge will be completely rewired and have new toilets, showers and mess facilities for the gardening team, offices, a training/meeting room for horticultural students, storage for hand tools and an external cleaning area for equipment within the walled garden. The work is due to be completed by the end of May.

Councillor Andrew Knowles, Cabinet member with responsibility for health and wellbeing, said: “It is fantastic that these premises will be brought into park use and will benefit from the significant investment in the Queens Park restoration project. 

“The Heritage Lottery Fund is extremely supportive to help bring the exteriors of the lodges back largely to their original condition – which is great news, as we think this particular view is probably one of the most photographed in Crewe.

“This is another example of our determination to be an excellent council and work with others to deliver for Cheshire East and enhance the environment.”

Crewe South Ward member Councillor Dorothy Flude said: “I am very pleased to see that the two lodges are being brought back to their former Victorian glory.

“The space within the West Lodge for use by school children is an excellent idea. It’s good that schools will be encouraged to use this facility so youngsters can enjoy learning about the history of the park and the wider Crewe area as well as taking part in environmental and conservation activities in their community.”

If you want to learn more about the project, come to the next meting with project officers and consultants at Marshfield Bank Community Centre, off West Street, Crewe, on Wednesday, March 9, at 5.30pm. Or, you can become a paper or email member by ringing Queen’s Park manager Elaine Dodd on 07825351808.

Queens Park was renowned as one of the finest parks in the North West. It is undergoing a £6.5m transformation to bring it back to its former glory. The Heritage Lottery Fund is providing a £2.7m support grant with the rest of the investment coming from Cheshire East Council.

Within the park’s 45 acres are walkways, trees, shrubs, planting, children’s play area, crown green bowling, putting, boating lake grassed areas, memorials and cafeteria.

For more information on the Queens Park restoration project visit the Queens Park web pages at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk – then click ‘Leisure, Culture and Tourism’ and follow the links to the relevant pages.    

The Bowling green now has a chimney sticking up clad in sandstone

The cafe mean while is going more and more pink as more roofing goes on in a nice pink colour

Life in the Queens Park 1900’s

We have some new old pictures of the Queens Park  park if that makes sense. It shows life in the park in the 1900 and the photos are courtesy of Rona MacKay. They are in very good condition considering they are over 100 years old

See the ducks were still there in those days

I am guessing this would be Burma Island in 1911

See we had snow in 1908

Another bridge not sure were this would be

Work on the two lodges is now getting under way as lots of workmen's cabins arrive ready to start work and the main gate is closed(it was open today Friday) Work is due to go on until June.

The cafe has pink lattes going on the roof this week and the weather has helped but there is not a lot to see.

 

The gardeners have been buzzy cleaning all the rubbish etc from the bushes along the railings and felling several trees over the other side of the lake. The area looks a lot better for a tidy up.

 

Using the new Finepix hs10 with 30* optical zoom I was able to get pictures of the band stand taken from the golf coarse. You have to admit its a good picture form that range and 30* comes into its own at times like this.