TLC for trees gets underway

Hanley Park passed a crucial milestone last week, when we received 'permission to start' from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

This is the key step that enables our restoration work to begin. Without further ado, we are in fact already getting underway, and this week our visitors and near neighbours will see tree surgeons N&J starting work in the park.

As we wrote in our last newsletter, they will be undertaking some much need maintenance on the park's trees. This TLC is expected to take around 65 working days. Residents and visitors should expect some noise and path diversions around the park, as the tree surgeons work their way around the park's 63 acres.

A number of trees will also be removed - in most cases this is because they are dead, dying, or diseased, or because they have become weak and are unsafe.

If you have any questions or would like to find out more, why not join us for a Restoration Walk with Park Liaison Officer Tom Pine on Saturday 27 February at 10am? We'll be meeting at the fountain in Cauldon Grounds, a short walk from the Stoke Road entrance and we'll be delighted to welcome you.

Hanley Park is fortunate to have a fantastic Friends group, and we'd like to thank all involved for their unflinching support of our successful lottery bid since the group's formation in 2012.

Friends of Hanley Park holds its AGM on Saturday 13 February at 10.30am, and there will be further public meetings on 16 April, 18 June, 13 August, 15 October and 10 December. All are very welcome to attend. Meetings take place at the former bowls pavilion by the grass oval in the centre of the park.

If meetings are a little formal for your taste, then join us at the same building on any Wednesday afternoon at 2.30pm for tea, coffee and a chat about how to get involved.

Directions to the former bowls pavilion: Starting from the play areas, follow the main path as it winds towards the pavilion. Cross the canal by the bandstand and look over to your right. You will then be able to see the former bowls pavilion.

At Hanley Park, we are regularly joined by guests whose work is not always seen at close quarters by all our visitors.

The question that often arises is, "who were those people and what were they doing?"

From time to time, we'll be including a spot in this newsletter to celebrate the contribution of our regular guests to the life of the park.

Congleton-based Circus Starr have been joining us during April for a number of years now, and will be returning in 2016. They are a unique 'Circus with a Purpose,' but their tent is not open to all, which at first seems unusual to many park visitors.

Rachel Oliver takes up their story: "A first trip to the circus is just one of those things that sticks in your memory – the atmosphere, the smell, the colours, the thrill and trepidation. It’s one of those formative experiences that wows the senses and inspires.

"Circus Starr is the UK’s only 'Circus with a Purpose' hosting free, relaxed and inclusive shows for disadvantaged, disabled and vulnerable children. Each show brings the fun, excitement and magic of the circus to children who would not normally get the chance to experience such an event. It’s an opportunity for these families to step outside the complications of day-to-day life, feel better connected and more confident."

Director Neville Wilson continues: “The children we invite to our shows face many challenges. Some have physical disabilities or learning difficulties, others have life limiting illnesses or are living in refuges. For all of them, life is a struggle and few ever have the chance to experience a live show such as ours."

Circus Starr is a not-for-profit organisation that relies on the generosity of local business supporters to help put smiles on the faces of thousands of children every year .

If you'd like to find out more, get in touch with the team on 01260 288690.