Catherine joins Allan Gillard, Chair of the Friends of Gosforth Central Park
Newcastle North MP, Catherine McKinnell, joined forces with volunteers from the Friends of Gosforth Central Park yesterday (19th May) to take part in one of their regular Monday morning sessions.
The Friends of Gosforth Central Park was set up last year by a group of volunteers to care for, maintain and improve the well-used park behind Gosforth High Street, after pressures on Newcastle City Council’s budget led to reduced funding for the maintenance of local parks.
Meeting every Monday between 10am-12noon, the group of volunteers take on a range of different tasks each week – from litter picking, to painting park furniture and a host of gardening jobs.
Anyone is welcome to join in with the sessions, and stay as long as they are able. Volunteers are asked to arrive at the Park Keeper’s Hut (near the tennis courts) where they will be given a job and tools, whilst a tea break is always included. The group also meets on occasional Saturdays – the next sessions being on 31st May and 7th June – with more details available on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/fogcp.
Catherine said:
‘I had a really enjoyable time with the Friends of Gosforth Central Park this week – the group are so friendly, and any potential volunteers needn’t be put off by a lack of gardening experience!
‘Gosforth Central Park is a well-loved and really well-used local amenity, and it’s great to see such a committed group of volunteers working to maintain it on behalf of all its users.
I would strongly urge others to get involved with their sterling work.’
Allan Gillard, Chair of the Friends of Gosforth Central Park said: ‘The Friends have really appreciated Catherine’s support and it was great for her to actually come and join in with our volunteers today.
‘We’ve been going for over a year now and it’s always a boost for us to have our efforts recognised – and we can always do with more helpers!’