Already a few weeks in to the start of the new year, we thought it was about time that we dished out a massive THANK YOU to all of our supporters and volunteers. Still a relatively new charity, we couldn’t have managed without your help over the last 12 months.
Over the last year, huge steps have been taken to improve The Secret Garden (Doxford Park), and based on your feedback, it is clear that all the hard work is being recognised. As a result of some funding received through the DLUHC Pocket Parks Plus Fund we have been able to do lots of work around the central area of the park. This has included having space cleared to extend the orchard, a path and outdoor education area was created and new fauna and bird and bat boxes were purchased. This is ongoing work and soon we will be graveling the area and installing some bird feeders. There will also be an event to celebrate the park and the work completed which will take place at the end of March. More details will be shard about this in due course.
As well as the Pocket Parks work, some trees have been removed as a result of disease, a bug hotel has been built by some pupils from Portland School, the pond was dredged and cleaned out, new trees and shrubs have been planted around the cascade, there is ongoing maintenance work in the Walled Garden and we held our first ever Christmas Trail! The trail, in particular, was a great success and we are very grateful for the lovely comments we received. It was lovely to see so many happy faces, despite the awful weather!
All of the work undertaken in Doxford Park is as a result of volunteers. This includes grass cutting, planting, litter picking, hedge trimming, ordering of equipment and fauna, work planning, volunteer recruitment – and more. If you are able to be part of the group that maintains this lovely space, then please do contact us. Volunteering has benefits to your wellbeing, as does working outdoors, and it will benefit the local community. It is definitely a win all round!
We are planning more events through 2024 and look forward to receiving your continued support. We always welcome feedback and ideas. Please speak with one of our volunteers or drop us a message if there is anything you want us to know.
