The friends who are putting the spirit back into the community
A green oasis in the midst of an urban jungle that rubs shoulders with a major trunk road is currently bursting with pride and colour.
The Friends of Silver Jubilee Park in Coseley have been rewarded for their efforts in beginning the transformation of an old, disused bowling green into a community orchard and garden for the benefit of everyone. Spokesperson for the ‘Friends’ Jim Fletcher told us: “We had our first AGM in September last year after a group of us, all volunteers, decided to get together and create a community garden. To our delight we were nominated for the prestigious ‘Community Inspiration Award 2018’ and attended an event at the Al Miraj Banqueting Suite in Birmingham on July 6. We were even more delighted when we won, a recognition of the ‘Friends’ pulling together to make a difference for our local community.
“Mcdonalds of Coseley are kindly sponsoring us and we have also been helped by Bacon Nurseries, B&Q Bilston and Jack Moody of Shareshill. In July last year we also celebrated the presntation of an award in the Health Promoters category of ‘The Great Green Get Together’. The Friends had been promoting and encouraging healthy living within the park which included the idea behind the community orchard project.
“Unfortunately we are currently being plagued by vandalism in the park and have joined forces with The Big Local Coseley, Straight Talk, Local Forum and the local PCSOS to try and bring an end to this blight. It is heart breaking to see all our efforts torn to shreds by mindless idiots.”
Colliery
The history of Silver Jubilee Park goes back to December 1930 when former colliery land was obtained from the Earl of Dudley’s estate and turned into a park. In 1935 the park was named after King George V’s Silver jubilee and was officially opened on May 28, 1936 by Councillor Grange, the Chairman of the Parks and Open Spaces Committee. Also presiding at the opening was Councillor Greenshill, Chairman of the Cosely Urban District Council. Sadly King George V died four months before the park opened.
Today this corner of Coseley is a beautiful area of open green space and a canopy of mixed trees, with colour and spirit being added by the “Friends. of the Park.”