 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
A day to remember at Memorial Park
June 15th was certainly a day to remember for residents of Newbiggin by the Sea as His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent visited Memorial Park.
Welcomed by officials charged with regenerating Newbiggin by the Sea; as well as forces veterans, members of Newbiggin Community Area Partnership (CAP) and children from the local schools - His Royal Highness was invited to re-open Memorial Park, which has been a focal point of village life since the 1920s.
Given a tour of the park by Newbiggin LIFE's Initiative Director John Johnston, His Royal Highness was introduced to veterans and asked to plant a tree by the local school children, before cutting the ribbon on a commemorative stone to mark the re-opening and rededication of the park.
After the royal re-opening Wansbeck MP Denis Murphy gave a moving and poignant eulogy about local people involved in the war followed by a rededication ceremony conducted by Reverend Judith Grieves to remember the residents of Newbiggin who lost their lives.
The parks restoration which has included cleaning and restoring the stonework of the park's distinctive archway and gates, resurfacing the footpaths, planting new flowerbeds, shrubs and trees and the replacement of the railings and gates. Memorial Park was completed as part of Newbiggin LIFE's programme to breathe village, receiving £175,000 from Northumberland Strategic Partnership to meet the cost.
Newbiggin LIFE Initiative Director John Johnston said: "The restoration of Memorial Park has been a community inspired project. Local residents have
new life into the village, receiving £175,000 from Northumberland Strategic Partnership to meet the cost.
Newbiggin LIFE Initiative Director John Johnston said: "The restoration of Memorial Park has been a community inspired project. Local residents have been actively involved in the LIFE programme from day one so it was fitting that they should identify the areas of their village that they felt needed to be improved and restored.
"Having His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent re-open the park gave us the opportunity to reward all those involved
in the project, emphasising what can be achieved through hard work and co-operation and everyone who has been involved in this project should be proud of what they have achieved."
Newbiggin Life would like to thank everyone involved in ensuring that the day was a success with particular thanks to Newbiggin and North Seaton Royal British Legion, The Salvation Army, volunteers from St Bartholomews Church, Reverend Judith Grieves, Mr Stan Green and Mr David Futers.
