Friends group wins £53,000 for Dewsbury park lake

Lottery cash worth £53,000 will go towards a park lake restoration project.
PAST TIMES The lake in Crow Nest Park as it used to look.PAST TIMES The lake in Crow Nest Park as it used to look.
PAST TIMES The lake in Crow Nest Park as it used to look.

The cash has been awarded to Crow Nest Park to restore the lake and get people more involved in the heritage of the area.

£52,900 of Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) cash was handed over after the Friends of Crow Nest Park and Kirklees Council staff submitted an application.

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Denis Ripley, chairman of the Friends of Crow Nest Park, said: “This is fantastic news for the park and surrounding community. The HLF grant will help us to renovate and open up this tranquil area of the park to a wider public.”

A Kirklees Council spokeswoman said: “As well as including for physical, wildlife conservation and restoration works to the lake and surrounding area the overall Heritage Lottery project will fund the installation of a park walk with interpretation boards which take in the park’s historical sites.

“The bid aims to work with local schools to increase young people’s involvement in the park, including the establishment of a Young Friends of Crow Nest Park group. As part of the project a webcam will be installed on the lake’s island so that people can identify the range of wildlife that nest and shelter on the island.

Fiona Spiers, Head of HLF Yorkshire and Humber, said: “Dewsbury’s open spaces play such an important role as havens from the bustle of daily life. We are delighted to be part of this project which will restore the serpentine lake and provide opportunities for local people to engage with, and learn about the wildlife and heritage of this grade II listed park.”

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A community archaeologist will also be carrying out a range of activities over the next year for residents including treasure hunts and photographic competitions. People’s memories of the park will be collected throughout the project.