Park plan progress

An inaugural meeting has been held between landscape and heritage specialists, Atkins and the Egerton Park Innovation and Conservation steering group EPIC.

It means that the planning stage of the EPIC project to regenerate the well-loved town centre amenity over the coming five years is now underway.

Some 44,500 of funding through the Lottery's Parks for People fund has already been secured for the critical research and consultation that will underpin the whole project and the future management of the park.

The process is being led by the steering group whose members represent Rother District Council and key park stakeholders such as Sure Start whose Family Learning Centre is based in the park, Bexhill Museum and grounds maintenance contractor John O'Conner Ltd.

Fay Mitchell, programme manager for Sure Start, said: "Many adults who use our centre talk nostalgically about coming to the park as children. We need to ensure the next generation will also have a park that contributes to their positive childhood memories."

Also represented on the steering group is the Friends of Egerton Park. The Friends' committee will play a valuable role in feeding the ideas, concerns and aspirations of local people into the project planning and design process.

The committee currently represents the interests of 60 local families and individuals who support the Friends' aims to promote the park's conservation and enhancement for the benefit of residents, visitors and wildlife and to encourage greater use and enjoyment of the park by all.

Christine Govier, who chairs the Friends of Egerton Park, said: "Although we have only been running since March, we have raised over 300 and have held two small, but successful events in the park as well as being involved in a number of other events around the town.

"We plan to build upon this year's experiences in 2007 by holding a bigger and better Green Day and a mini Prom In The Park for the enjoyment of Bexhill residents and visitors.

"It is wonderful to be involved with this lovely park and we look forward to being part of the process to shape its future."

The Atkins team will be surveying and assessing the park later this month and would be happy to talk informally to members of the public about EPIC.

Drop-in consultation events are planned for Friday, October 26 at the De La Warr Pavilion and Saturday, October 27 at St. Andrew's Church Hall, Wickham Avenue.

Times for the drop-in sessions will be confirmed soon.

Part of the project planning process involves looking at the park's history and how it has changed over time.

All those with old photos of the park or stories of past times spent there are encouraged to come along to the sessions to share their memories.

Ken Sabel from the Atkins team said: "It is important to understand people's past and present experiences of the park and park's role in their lives.

"Only by understanding what people value about their Park can we develop sustainable plans for its future that are relevant and responsive."

The EPIC steering group is appealing to all those with an interest in the park's future to play a part in ensuring that the end result will be a facility that everyone can use and enjoy.

One way of doing so is by completing an on-line questionnaire about the park at www.greenstat.org.uk.

All those who complete one will have the chance to win a copy of the Good Parks Guide. For those without computer access, paper copies will be made available through public buildings in the town later this month or can be requested by contacting Rother parks development officer Rebecca Owen on 01424 787522 or [email protected].

Questionnaires can also be completed about other parks and open spaces in Rother and will be used to develop an open space strategy for the District, helping to protect and improve valued public space now and in the future.

Details of all future consultation events in relation to E.P.I.C. will be advertised in the local press and in the park itself. Updates on the project's progress can also be found at www.rother.gov.uk/egerton.

Speaking of her wish to see EPIC succeed, Cllr Deirdre Williams, Rother cabinet portfolio holder for working in partnership said: "Thanks to the Lottery funding we have a wonderful opportunity to improve the park in a way that will bring benefits to all, from the children who use it to play to those who just want somewhere safe, green and pleasant to take a walk.

"There is a real will amongst local people to enhance what we have and to protect this precious park for future generations."

The Heritage Lottery Fund joined forces with the Big Lottery Fund earlier this year to launch Parks For People '“ a new scheme which will see a further 160million invested in the UK's parks over the next three years. Together, HLF and BIG will fund a wider range of local parks and contribute even more to the quality of life for local communities.