Sue Bridgett
Chairman, Ashcom
ASHCOM was set up in
2018 by volunteers to improve Ashbourne and the surrounding villages by developing projects to deliver social, environmental and economic benefits.
Over the last year we have focused on building the Thursday market and developing the Shrovetide Walk Project. The market is now almost at capacity most weeks and the stall holders are providing a good variety of quality goods and services for local people, both of which were aims a year ago.
The development of Shrovetide Walk in the town centre into a beautiful and informative area is going well. We have now secured around 50% of the £100,000 cost and recently received planning permission from the district council.
So 2022 will be a year when we secure the remaining funding and build the new Shrovetide Walk. We will be talking to local companies who can help us with materials and donations over the next two months and then look to letting the contract for the actual work.
Henmore Walk will also be a focus for us in 2022 as we plan for a new properly constructed walkway along the Henmore behind the hospital, joining up Waterside Park with the town centre.
We are working with the Environment Agency, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and other local groups to develop the best environmental outcomes for the path.
In November we assisted with the survey of members of the Ashbourne Fishpond Meadow Improvement Group to pull the ideas together into a plan that will enable the group to work with the district council to bring widespread improvements to Ashbourne’s park.
The report is on our website if anybody is interested in looking.
We will continue to play our part in 2022 as one of the newest and independent community groups in the town and work with other organisations to help to revitalise the town centre.
We would love to hear from people who want to be part of that and help to improve the area’s environment.
Just visitash-com.co.uk or our Facebook page for more.