Friends of Hopwood Park through to second round of the Aviva Community Fund

The Friends of Hopwood Park have made it through to the second round of the Aviva Community Fund, which could see them receive up to £25,000 pounds.

Chairwoman of the group, Sandra Trickett, said: “We need a total of £50,000 pounds. It would mean we can renovate the bus shelter for a community hub or café, which would increase visitors to the park.

“It would serve the wider community, as well as providing a base for The Friends, and we would have indoor facilities for activities.”

The Friends of Hopwood Park aim to transform a derelict bus shelter/toilet block into a community hub to provide a facility for many activities and projects. This would also act as an indoor base for The Friends of Hopwood Park.

The building, which has fallen into disrepair, needs completely renovating to include a new roof, external repairs to the brickwork, rewire, plumbing, internal alterations and fixtures and fittings.

A spokesperson for the Friends of Hopwood Park said: “Once complete, it will be an ideal venue for many uses, sitting on at the entrance to Hopwood Park. The park has become a popular recreational green space to visit for many in the community since improvements have been made over the past six years with the involvement of the Friends Group.

“Hopwood Park community hub will provide a much-needed indoor base for The Friends of Hopwood Park.

“It will be a safe, fun facility to promote social interaction and build relationships in an aim to encourage young ones to get involved in the work of the many varied projects of The Friends of Hopwood Park.

“It will also be a place where socially isolated individuals or the elderly can call in for a coffee and have a chat.”