Dear Friend of Lightwoods Park and House / Neighbouring Resident
Firstly, may I take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support and assistance with the events at Lightwoods Park and with the Parks for People Project; the restoration of Lightwoods Park and House. I know for all of you this has been a long time coming so thank you for being patient and remaining enthusiastic about the project.
It is currently forecast that the restoration of Lightwoods Park and House will commence at the end of January 2015 (contracts and weather permitting). The current timescale for the grand opening of Lightwoods House and Park is August 2016. Please find attached an outline programme for the restoration. Please note that until the contract has been awarded to the winning contractor this programme is only draft. On appointment I will be asking for the phased programme of works from the contractor and will share this with you at the next wider group meeting which will take place as follows:
Date: 14th January 2015
Time: 7.00pm – 8.30pm
Venue: Bearwood Baptist Church Hall
Rawlings Road
The aim of the meeting is to brief all interested parties on the restoration elements (final scope of the works) and construction timescales (phasing plans). During this meeting I will also announce the successful contractor who will be carrying out the works and explain volunteer opportunities and training opportunities that will be available to the friends group during the construction phase of the project.
Some of you may be aware that there is a new job opportunity being created through this project, which will be funded by both HLF and Sandwell Council. We are recruiting a Community Engagement Officer at Lightwoods Park and House with the job advertised and open for applications from around 8th December 2014 on the Sandwell Council and WM Jobs websites. The officer will be responsible for delivering a programme of activities and events at Lightwoods Park and House over the next 5 years and will work closely with the Friends of Lightwoods Park and House.
They will also be engaging with a wide variety of local groups and working with local schools to encourage interest, development and engagement and use. I will introduce this officer to you following their appointment and from this point on they will lead on community involvement as I focus on delivering the physical restoration.
At a point in time, nearing completion of the project, we will also be recruiting a Lightwoods House and Park Manager who will be responsible for ensuring that the building is functional and self-financing. It is imperative that we develop the house for a variety of uses and ensure we get the balance of community and commercial just right – if anyone has any ideas on usage, events, would like to volunteer in the house and / or knows of any businesses interested in having an office in Lightwoods House then please get in contact via email: cherie_osullivan@sandwell.gov.uk or telephone on: 0121 569 4740. I would like to wish you all best wishes for Christmas and a Happy New Year.
I hope to see you at the meeting on 14th January 2015. If you are unable to attend please check the Bearwood Blog: https://bearwoodblog.com/ and Lightwoods Park Blog:http://lightwoodspark.wordpress.com/ for the minutes and further updates the week following the meeting.
Kind regards,
Cherie
Cherie O’Sullivan
Lightwoods Park Project Officer
The Bearwood Blog 