TOWN’S GREEN SHOOTS OF RECOVERY
■ The demolition of a derelict bandstand is seen as the start of a colourful new chapter for Ashbourne’s park and recreation spaces, as a volunteer group which has helped to secure £70,000 to make improvements has vowed to make the town ‘one we love and can be proud of’
THE first steps have been taken towards what promises to be a colourful new beginning for Ashbourne’s green spaces, as the town’s derelict bandstand is finally being removed.
Derbyshire Dales District Council waited until the summer holidays drew to a close to start what many hope will be a project resulting in the park achieving coveted Green Flag status.
A newly formed community group has been working with Derbyshire Dales District Council and Derbyshire County Council to help steer the efforts, and to ensure an initial funding pot of £70,000 is spent wisely enough to provide long-term benefits for the town.
Initially dubbed the Ashbourne Fishpond Meadow Improvement Group, the volunteers have gathered on a few occasions to walk around the park with officials and to discuss ways each key green space can be improved.
By maintaining separate focuses on the Memorial Gardens, the Recreation Ground and play area, the Fishpond Meadow area and even the Fishpond itself, it is hoped the group will be able to keep an enthusiastic but realistic level of momentum up on whatever projects the town wants to see tackled.
Derbyshire Dales District Council will work closely with the group as it moves forward with the first projects, which include replacing the bandstand and reinstating a longforgotten shelter just above.
One of the group’s founders, Lisa Dawn, told the News Telegraph the chief initial aim is to bring Ashbourne’s green spaces up to the standard of other neighbouring towns.
She said: “We just want Ashbourne to be a thriving little town again. For a long while now Ashbourne has felt like a forgotten town compared to others. I’ve got a small daughter and I go to the parks in Matlock, Buxton, Belper and they’re absolutely amazing.
“And then you come to Ashbourne. In fact some people come to Ashbourne and don’t even know the park is there, which is a real shame.
“It would be nice for Ashbourne to become the little town that we love and a town we can be proud of. It’s just sad to see it at the moment.”
Lisa says the early stages have seen interested people pooling ideas of what they would like to see done to each distinct area, and these ideas will be developed and their feasibility assessed, before work can progress on fund-raising or applying for permissions for the various landowners.
Work to demolish the bandstand in the centre of the Memorial Gardens began last week, a job that had to be brought forward due to increasing issues with the rotting structure becoming a target for vandalism.
The district council says the plinth will be retained and temporary timber fencing will soon be erected to allow the public to use it safely while a replacement structure is being planned, with a view to installing that “early next year”.
The authority’s leader Garry Purdy, a ward member for Masson, says he has had Ashbourne’s park in his sights for many months and reiterated his aim to bring it up to Green Flag standard, as with Leys Hall Park in Matlock.
He said: “Immediately following on from the dismantling of the bandstand, our contractors will be completing the new block paved entrance and new uplighters to the memorial gates.
“This work has been delayed by a national shortage of building materials.
“A large conifer tree next to the gates, which is causing damage to the wall and obscuring the memorial gates, will also be removed and a replacement tree planted in a more suitable location. Further works to paths and footbridges are planned for next year.
“We are keen to ensure these new structures complement their location in a memorial park and also meet with users’ requirements.
“We will therefore be consulting on future options for the bandstand and proposed new shelter with the park’s newly formed interest group and will provide more information when we have some initial plans.
“All this is in addition to improvements earlier this year to the park’s play equipment and tennis courts, plus some spectacular planting schemes put together with the valued support of the Royal British Legion, Ashbourne U3A and the local Rotary Club.
“So while there will be more to come next year, the works we are undertaking now should make the park a more welcoming place in the coming months.”
It would be nice for Ashbourne to become the little town that we love and a town we can be proud of.
Lisa Dawn