Park to be revitalised following cash boost
AHISTORIC Carmarthenshire park is set to be transformed after being awarded more than £1m for revitalisation works.
Abergwili’s Bishop’s Park has been handed a £1,274,300 cash windfall – awarded jointly by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big Lottery Fund.
Ambitious plans have been drawn up to reintegrate, conserve and revitalise the historic pleasure gardens, walled kitchen garden, as well as parts of the Great Meadow and Bishop’s Pond, both of great ecological interest.
Centre-stage will be the Tywi Gateway Centre with activity and learning facilities, as well as the allimportant coffee shop.
Four members of staff will be recruited and volunteers, many of them local, will have key roles.
Visitors will see work starting in earnest by the end of 2017.
Speaking on behalf of the park’s trustees, Michael Norman said: “One of the great strengths of Bishop’s Park is that it’s much loved by local people; it’s their park.
“Working alongside the County Museum and the future Tywi Valley Cycleway, Bishop’s Park will therefore be a community-driven and reinvigorated place that’s more welcoming, accessible and attractive for quiet recreation and learning.
“Health and well-being will also be high on the agenda, as will opportunities for volunteering and employment.
“The park will mesh its visitor facilities with those of the Museum to help assure the future of both, an innovative concept we believe is unique to Wales.
“And if more people would like get involved we’d really like to hear from them!”
The park forms the grounds of the County Museum which is housed in the 19th Century Bishop’s Palace.
The building is surrounded by lawns, gardens and trees, and bordered by a lake which was part of the River Tywi.
Carmarthenshire Council’s executive board member for culture, sport and tourism, councillor Peter Hughes Griffiths, said: “This is a huge achievement by a dedicated group of local volunteers.
“Alongside the park scheme, the planned cycleway development and proposals to revitalise the museum will together provide a significant and high quality heritage and leisure attraction over the coming years.”
The money from the National Lottery has been confirmed as part of a £40m boost to 13 parks and cemeteries across England and Wales.
Others benefitting include the park where World Cup heroes Sir Bobby Charlton and Jack Charlton first began to play and train.
Football pitches at Hirst Park, Ashington, Northumberland will be restored thanks to a £2.3m grant.