Last week I was commissioned to judge another local authority park as part of the national Green Flag Awards scheme. I visited Gheluvelt Park that nestles on the banks of the River Severn in Worcester.
Gheluvelt Park has a growing national reputation as one of the nation’s finest green open spaces. Over the past two challenging years, like many parks it has become a location of vital importance where people can exercise, walk dogs, meet others in a socially distanced manner, play and have time to think and reflect.
Gheluvelt Park splash pad and play area
Since first securing a Green Flag in 2007, the park has successfully renewed that status every year through to the present day. So, no pressure on me to ensure it meets the Green Flag criteria!
I was met by Mark Worrall the council’s team supervisor for green space along with Mark Baylis operational team leader for street scene who also introduced me to another work college Jeremy Ross and two councillors, Mel Allcot and Karen Lewing.
L-R: Mark Worrall. Jeremy Ross, Mark Baylis, Ross Madden, Cllr Karen Lewing, Cllr Mel Allcott
I always find it rewarding talking to the people who are responsible for looking after these important assets. Without their guidance, support and dedication many of these parks would be in decline and not fit for purpose.
Improvements following funding
The park has recently secured centenary Fields in Trust status and has been awarded a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence in recognition of the consistently strong reviews it receives. Much of Gheluvelt Park’s success is at least in part due to the Heritage Lottery funded investment of over £1.6 million in 2010. This enabled the council to introduce some new play equipment for all ages, including the popular Splashpad water play area and exercise equipment.
In 2019 the council improved facilities still further with the construction of a new Sons of Rest pavilion adjacent to the Splashpad - providing more toilets, a snack kiosk and a community meeting room. The city council’s Cleaner & Greener team contribute a year-round effort to maintain exceptionally high standards within the park.
Gheluvelt Park was originally named Barbourne Park, after the area to which it belongs. In 1922 the park was re-named as a commemoration of the Battle of Gheluvelt. Fought in Belgium on 31 October 1914, the battle saw the Worcestershire Regiment act with great courage to win a significant victory,
The park comprises two distinct areas, the ornamental park, Victorian in character, and the riverside conservation area, which is managed in a ‘naturalistic’ manner incorporating wildflower meadows and an area of undisturbed ground along the northern boundary close to the river that is managed for wildlife and informal unimproved lawns.
The two areas are separated by Barbourne Brook, which discharges into the River Severn. The historic importance of Worcester’s Gheluvelt Park has been recognised with Listed status. Historic England, (formerly English Heritage) has given Grade II Listed status to buildings and structures in the park and has also placed the park itself on the official Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.
The twelve houses built within the park for disabled servicemen, now operated by Haig Housing, are listed. The houses are the work of prominent local architect Arthur Hill Parker, who also designed the park’s arch, gates and railings, which have the same Grade II status.
Gheluvelt Park’s bandstand which is also listed and was built in 1924 is set on an island within a large pond. Work on the refurbishment of the access bridge and bandstand is soon to commence and once completed will enable the council to promote some music events back in the park once again.
Six of the entrances to the park have people counters which have been in place since 2010. There was a decline in total numbers visiting the park since the peak of 2011/12 when the new play facilities were initially installed. In subsequent years visitor numbers remained well above 2010 numbers which reflects the increased use of the park, both in terms of its standing facilities and in respect of the events held.
Mark Worrall and Neil Bushell
During Covid the park’s visitors increased dramatically. This for me proves the importance these parks played during the pandemic. It should be a good indicator for government to start investing in these green spaces. I personally believe it’s about time parks management and maintenance became a statutory service.
The council along with other partners including Worcester County council are looking at further work to enhance the park with the aim of building a Kepax Bridge to provide improved cycle and pedestrian connectivity to the north of Worcester City.
River Severn
Councillor Marc Bayliss, leader of Worcester City Council, said, “The start of work to prepare for the building of the Kepax Bridge is an exciting moment. The bridge will bring a major boost for the health and wellbeing of people who live or work in Worcester, encouraging many more to walk and cycle around our beautiful city. Combined with the Diglis and Sabrina bridges, the Kepax Bridge will create an attractive and appealing figure-of-eight route for enjoying Worcester’s riverside.”
Exciting times ahead for the people who live nearby and use this exceptional park. I’d like to thank, Mark Baylis and Mark Worrall and the councillors for making me feel very welcome and giving me the time to hear the plans for this park in the coming years.
