The money from the Funds’ joint Parks for People programme will enable the project to restore a number of buildings to their Edwardian splendour as well as improve the infrastructure of the park. Works will include the restoration and extension of the main pavilion to form a café and offices, refurbishment of the bandstand and bowling lobby, replacement of main gates and fencing, resurfacing of footpaths, drainage improvements and enhanced security by the installation of lighting and CCTV.

The project offers a number of training opportunities. Goole College will be able to deliver NVQ catering courses to its students and local charity, The Green Team, which will be able to teach propagation skills to its volunteers from a new poly tunnel installation. There will also be an opportunity for volunteers to be involved in the delivery of an oral history project, which will record people’s memories of the park from its earliest days to the present time.

Explaining the importance of the HLF/BIG support, Fiona Spiers, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund Yorkshire and the Humber said on behalf of the two distributors: “Today’s Lottery support will help give West Park a new lease of life by restoring the park’s historic features and vastly improving visitor facilities. These vital restoration works will have real benefits for the local community, rejuvenating this much-loved green space for everyone to spend time in and enjoy.”

West Park is the major green space in Goole. It was laid out in the shape of a crown in 1923 and funded by a grant from the Unemployed Grants Committee. Most of the work was undertaken by unemployed men of the town of which there were many due to the Goole Steam Shipping Company cutting its fleet from 25 to 14. The work took nine months to complete and the park was formally opened on Thursday 13 September, 1923.

Brian Robertson, Town Clerk at Goole Town Council said: “We’re delighted that HLF and BIG have given us this grant. West Park is the green lungs of the town and a major part of its social history. The grant will allow us to restore the park for the benefit of future generations and to engage with local people in the management and maintenance of its facilities."

Note to editors

• A confirmed award means that money had already been earmarked by HLF/BIG for the project in question and that the full amount has now been secured.
• Goole Town Council was formed in 1983 and is one of the largest and most proactive third tier authorities in England. It is responsible for the management and maintenance of parks, gardens and open spaces in Goole.
• The Parks for People programme uses Lottery funds to support the regeneration, conservation and increased enjoyment of public parks. The programme aims to improve the local environment and put parks firmly back at the heart of community life. In England the two Lottery Funds have been working in partnership from 2006 to deliver a multi-million pound investment in public parks of £150m. Over the period 2006-9, the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) invested up to £80m (in England only) with £70m coming from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the UK.
• The Big Lottery Fund (BIG), the largest distributor of National Lottery good cause funding, is responsible for giving out 46% of the money raised for good causes by the National Lottery. BIG is committed to bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need and has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK. Since June 2004 BIG has awarded over £4.4bn. Website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

Further information

Brian Robertson, Town Clerk at Goole Town Council, 01405 800 815 or gtc@fsmail.net

Laura Bates, HLF press office, 0207 591 6027 or lbates@hlf.org.uk