Ambitious plans set to boost green spaces in village
Recreation ground art project
MEMBERS of a parish council have announced a series of proposed projects designed to boost a village’s recreation ground and community gardens.
Checkley councillors hope to create an accessible footpath into the Upper Tean recreation ground.
This would allow villagers, for the first time since its inception in Victorian times, to enjoy the green space on an all-weather wheelchair friendly and safe riverside footpath.
Grant funding under Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s Improving Disabled Access to Public Facilities has already been applied for, and the outcome of the bid for funding is awaited.
The experience of enjoying the green open spaces will be enhanced by complementary projects, including art installation ‘And The World Changed’ by Emma Varughese – a well-known creative practitioner who is resident in Upper Tean.
‘And The World Changed’ is a longterm, outdoor installation starting in Well Meadow Gardens, taking in the old water hand pump on the High Street, the recreation ground, the footbridge, and riverside walk to the rear of Tean Hall Mills.
Taking direct inspiration from the natural world, ‘And The World Changed’ uses large-scale log installations, worked on the cross sections, each one includes a brass plaque engraved with poetic/ lyrical text, accompanied by visual art rendered through pyrography and decorative metal hardware.
The parish council also plans to establish a new sensory garden alongside the footpath to be dedicated to NHS staff and key workers as a thank you for their tireless dedication throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
Other projects include tree planting in both green spaces, including the initiation of a new community orchard,.
Grants for planting have already been secured from Staffordshire County Council’s Community Climate Action Fund, with the support of county councillor Mark Deaville.
In Well Meadow Gardens, the three existing island beds will have newly planted trees, and the Victorian style lighting is due to be painted in traditional street furniture black.
A further residents’ association volunteer project to paint the roadside railings in Riverside Road is also planned.
Subject to funding being secured, the projects are due to be completed in summer 2021, at which point the parish council will consider giving the two green spaces a new overall designation as a park with a new name.
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and Checkley parish councillor, Pete Wilkinson, said: “This project has many aspects to it and shows how Checkley Parish Council is adapting to the changing world.
“With the many restrictions as a consequence of Covid-19, we have become more aware of our own
surroundings.
“This project embraces this and allows all sectors of the community to enjoy and access it.
“With the orchard and tree planting, Checkley Parish Council are taking steps towards tackling climate change, and shows that we can all make changes and adaptations to help towards the goal of zero carbon emissions.”
Councillor Keith Flunder, chairman of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and a Checkley parish councillor, said: “The fantastic inclusive nature of these projects, supporting both the whole community as well as disabled and wheelchair users, needs to be celebrated.
“The separation of the walkers and other users of public spaces away from roads is essential over the coming years as all local councils work to provide more user-friendly environments.
“I fully endorse all these projects and I’m proud, not only as chairman of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, but also as a local Checkley parish councillor, to support such endeavours.”
Councillor Deaville added: “These are exciting and wonderful projects that will further enhance the heart of our village.
“Our local green space and the heritage of our village has never been more important to us than it has over the past difficult and challenging year.
“These projects will be of great value to our mental wellbeing as well as our physical wellbeing.
“I am delighted to support these proposals, they will provide massive long term benefits to everyone in Upper Tean.
“I spent my childhood growing up in the Riverside Road area, playing football and cricket until dusk. I am, therefore, personally delighted to see these projects progress.
“We love our village, and we love our community – these proposed projects will make Upper Tean an even better place to live, to learn and to play.”
These are exciting and wonderful projects that will further enhance the heart of our village
Councillor Mark Deaville