A WORCESTER community group has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award for their work in supporting and enhancing a historic city park.
The Friends of Fort Royal and Commandery Gardens is one of four groups shortlisted for the category of ‘Friends Group of the Year’ in a nationwide competition organised by Fields in Trust.
The other groups up for the top award are Friends of Angel Meadow, Manchester, Friends of Saltwell Park, Tyne and Wear and Friends of Starbank Park in Edinburgh.
The winner will be announced at the Fields in Trust Awards Ceremony at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Wednesday, November 29.
Friends of Fort Royal played a major role in shaping Worcester City Council’s £220,000 revamp of Fort Royal Park in 2013, which saw the installation of three new play areas inspired by the site’s civil war history.
The group organises a host of events throughout the year including Easter, Ramadan, Halloween, the Winter Solstice and the Queen’s Birthday.
The Friends also run a monthly voluntary gardening group at Fort Royal Park and have planted a number of new trees there. Their efforts contributed to Fort Royal Park securing its first Green Flag Award in 2017.
Coun Lynn Denham, Chair of the Friends of Fort Royal Park and Commandery Gardens, said: “We are thrilled to be selected by Fields in Trust for this prestigious award.
“It has been an amazing journey since the group was reconstituted in 2012. We have been able to help transform the park itself to Green Flag status and organise community events and celebrations for many different occasions and groups.
“The Friends are very grateful to Worcester City Council staff for the support that they have given us every step of the way.”
