Redditch matters - Redditch Borough Council - Worcestershire Hub

Park play garden to open in time for summerSENSORY fun will be on theagenda for young visitors to ArrowValley Park this summer as a newplay garden opens.The new sensory garden, which hasbeen developed with the help ofPitcheroak Special School andRedditch Borough Council’s PlayRangers, was set to officially open atthe end of June.This is the first time the Council hasinvolved young users in not only thedesign but also the manufacture andinstallation of a play facility.Pupils from the Batchley school helpedto produce equipment for the gardenincluding a sensory wall reflecting theArrow Valley Lake environment, copperplates and a copper fountain.They also contributed towards a mobilewhich is being hung from the trees andhelped to choose the type of equipmentinstalled in the garden.The new sensory garden also boasts abespoke bridge and gantry. The gantry hasa see-through floor which takes users outover the water and through a tree canopy.This was developed by some of the school’swheelchair users who had never had the opportunity get into a tree canopy.Ray Cooke, Leisure Services Manager at Redditch Borough Council, said: “We’re really grateful to thePitcheroak pupils for all their help and also to Worcestershire County Council for funding the projectthrough its Playbuilder fund.”Tee-m help golf courseopen day go with a swingLANDSCAPE staff from the Council’s Crossgate depot sprucedup Pitcheroak Golf Course earlier this year to help it attract newmembers.Neil Partridge and his team worked with Worcestershire andHerefordshire County Golf Partnership, who have beenmanaging the course since last May, on improving the‘playability’ of the course.Changes to the course were made from both landscapingand golf perspectives and included redeveloping the wintertees, improving all-year-round access and playability.Work was completed in time for the club’s open day at the endof March, when the team had a display charting its work in theclubhouse.Around 50 new members signed up on the day, along with aconsiderable number joining after the event.Redditch Borough CouncilAll the fun ofthe Green FairFUN for all the family is promised at this year’s Green Fair, whichthis year celebrates ten years of Arrow Valley Countryside Centre.The annual event takes place on Sunday 11th July on StitchMeadow in Arrow Valley Park. Entry to the fair is free, as is parking.The Green Fair runs from 10am-5pm and features a wealth ofentertainment, family activities, stalls and displays. These includelaser clay pigeon shooting, archery, a climbing wall, facepainting, flyball, crafts and circus skills.Visitors can enjoy living historyfrom the 13th Century, meetowls and ferrets, enjoy livemusic and join in anactivity with the BritishCycling Association.There will also begreen crafts anddisplays, includingrecycling andenergy efficiency,and much, muchmore.To find out more aboutthe event, contact ArrowValley Countryside Centreon (01527) 464000.Redditch matters 19