Issued on behalf of the Vitality of Penrith Group
Plans to increase planting and ‘greening the town’ began this week in Penrith, when a sub group of the Vitality of Penrith (VOP) in conjunction with PACT (Penrith Action for Community Transition) implemented the first phase of a programme designed to improve the appearance of and soften the landscape through the planting of trees, shrubs and flowers of sites throughout the town. This initiative has been designed to take forward one of the key priorities highlighted by last year’s Community Conference.
Eden District Council provided a grant of £5,000. This has been the catalyst to attract donations from local firms (The Penrith Co-operative, The Penrith Building Society and The Skipton Building Society), grants (The Penrith Lottery and The Neighbourhood Forum) and contributions in kind ( Richardson’s Timber Merchants, Larch Cottage Nurseries, TW Relph and Sons Ltd and Jenkinson Forest Products) all of which has helped to nearly doubled this figure.
Peter Ward, VoP’s Champion for the Environment who has led this strand of work said: “A great deal of hard work has gone into the planning and delivery of this initiative and I would like to thank the various people involved for their contributions including the group of volunteers and trades people who have helped to bring this project to fruition.”
The first phase of this work has entailed making good the areas around the benches in Little Dockray, placing planters around the Monument and in Little Dockray and planting semi mature trees (Sorbus arnoldiana - Salmon Queen) in the larger planters. These will be under planted with shrubs, flowers and bulbs over the coming weeks. The justification for this work is that not only does it deliver on a community priority but it helps towards the plans to boost footfall in Penrith town centre and attract shoppers from the developments at New Squares and Booths.
The Leader of Eden District Council and Interim Chairman of VoP, Councillor Gordon Nicolson said: “I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Peter Ward and his colleagues, who have had to address a number of technical and practical issues before this project could be implemented. It is a tribute to Peter’s patience and resilience that the project has reached this stage. I look forward to seeing the results now the groundwork has been laid.”
The Project Team will be seeking to raise additional funds so that this initiative can be rolled out across the town and supplemented by hanging baskets in the spring. The aim is to ensure that these new planters will be well maintained, with flowers being refreshed at least twice a year.
Peter Ward added: “We are looking for additional volunteers who will help us with this work and make Penrith a more attractive destination for both residents and visitors alike. Please contact us through the PACT website www.penrithact.org.uk As part of the broader scheme the Sub Group is also looking to upgrade existing facilities, including the painting of lampposts and street furniture, maintenance of benches etc, so we need all the help we can get.”
For more information about the Vitality of Penrith Group visit www.eden.gov.uk/vop and for more information on this particular initiative visit www.penrithact.org.uk
ENDS
Notes to Editors
For more information contact the Communication Officer at Eden District Council tel: 01768 212137.
Vitality of Penrith Group (VoP)
The Vitality of Penrith Group (VoP) was created in September 2008 in order to facilitate engagement and establish a mechanism for ongoing dialogue between the local authorities and the wider community. For more information visit www.eden.gov.uk/vop
Vision Statement
Vitality of Penrith wishes to become recognised by the local community as the body responsible for creating and sponsoring delivery of projects which support the economic vitality of Penrith and lead to a sustainable community.
