Cash grant is a massive boost for devoted Burnley park volunteers

The Friends of Ightenhill Park have won the funding from the Lancashire Enterprise Fund to upgrade an area of the park that houses the polytunnel where volunteers grow plants.

News of the money is a shot in the arm for the thriving group which has had to shelve several of its community events this year due to Covid 19.

But despite having to cancel the annual Ightenhill Festival and the Bee Day fest, two events that draw hundreds of visitors to the park and raise much needed funds, the work of the friends' group has continued.

A 'pop up' shop, which started off selling a few jars of home-made marmalade, plants and face masks became a real hit with visitors. Following a suggestion from a member of the public home-made cakes with tea and coffee were then introduced and so far the group has covered what they would have raised at one of the festivals.

Volunteer gardeners have worked throughout the summer along with the bee keepers and the self style Ightenhill 'Grot Grabbers' have been out and about regularly.

In one tidy up session alone along Ighten Road and Tunnel Street they collected 30 bags of rubbish!

The group has thanked Burnley's Tesco store for donations and help and also the store's community champion Billie Jean Horne who is a regular volunteer in the park.

Work is underway to develop a picnic site in the park and volunteers are currently working hard to produce a base which will house a picnic bench, donated by Ashmeade Care Home in Padiham Road.

Volunteers are also working closely with members of Ightenhill Park Bowling Club to combat any incidents of anti-social behaviour in the park.