Friends of Queen's Park celebrate 21st birthday

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Photo: Laura Wild

Friends of Queen's Park, including Founder Shelia Hill with the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Zulfiqar Ali, MP Jim Dobbin and the Deputy Leader of Rochdale Council, Councillor Ashley Dearnley

The Friends of Queen’s Park, Heywood, celebrated their 21st birthday today (Sunday 11 July 2010) with a fun filled party in the park.

Visitors were treated to an extra special Sunday afternoon which included a bouncy castle, sporting activities and performances from the Rochdale Youth Orchestra.

Dignitaries from across the borough including the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Zulfiqar Ali and MP for Heywood and Middleton Jim Dobbin joined the friends and of course users of the park for the birthday activities.

Founder of the group, Sheila Hill, described the 21 years as an ‘achievement.’

She said: “Over the years many memorable things have happened including the Heritage Lottery Grant in 2002, that was probably the biggest thing, followed of course by the 121st birthday of the park in 2000.”

Mrs Hill added: “What separates us from other parks is that we haven’t stopped working on the park since we got the money, we have grown over the years and every year we have something new.

“I have seen the park change drastically in 21 years, I can remember walking my dog around the park and not meeting a single soul along the way, it was neglected and a mess.

“Now it is so good to see so many people enjoying the park every week - that is what parks are for.

“We are the nation’s most loved park and that certainly says something.”

Mrs Hill concluded: “We must not forget the staff of the park, they all work very hard and have done very well in making the park a beautiful place they work every day collecting litter and planting plants.”

Mayor Ali, who is also the parks President for this year explained how important the birthday celebrations are: “It is a great pleasure to be here to celebrate the community running Queen’s Park.

“On my trips around the borough I see many parks but this is the one that is used all the time and excellent work has been carried out here over the past 21 years.

“Volunteers make a difference to our society and our community and it is nice to see that young volunteers are getting involved and I will ask more youngsters to join in in the future to carry this platform on for future generations.”

Jim Dobbin MP added: “I am one of very few MPs to have a Victorian park in their constituency. This park was given by Queen Victoria in 1879 and it has come a very long way and I am very proud of it.

“I have many parks in my constituency but this one is used the most by local people and people in surrounding areas and towns.

“Queen’s Park is what I would call the ‘jewel in the crown’ of all the parks in the local authority.”