Chasetown Memorial Park spruced up for Remembrance Sunday

Nov 6 2008 By Janet Lee

Chasetown Memorial Park entrance is all spruced up and ready for this Sunday’s Remembrance Day service.

But it’s thanks to the efforts of local pensioner Ian Johnson who has worked tirelessly to achieve this goal.

Ian’s family have even borne some of the costs themselves. Ian and his son spent £1,500 of their own money on the new gates.

And while all his efforts are applauded, local councillor Paul Atkins is asking why the work could not have been done by Lichfield District Council.

But the district council stressed they have supported the work - and intend to hand over more cash in the future.

“The district council spends thousands on Beacon Park,” Cllr Atkins said.

“This is their responsibility. They have just applied for a £1m lottery grant for Beacon Park (in Lichfield).”

Cllr Atkins said the district council should ‘spread a bit to Burntwood’.

“Burntwood ratepayers pay for that service,” he pointed out.

Ian, 67, from Hammerwich, set up Friends of the Park and appealed for donations.

But despite being disabled he has worked hard to ensure the Memorial Park is a fitting tribute to those who lost their lives in the wars.

Ian has struggled so much this year he has even had loans from family and friends to make sure the work was done.

And his 17-year-old grand-daughter Josie has put in hours of work painting the Sopwith Memorial and the new planters.

The family has even renovated the nearby bus shelter after failing to find out whose responsibility it is.

“We decided it would be quicker for us to tackle the work,” Ian said. “We employed a carpenter to fit missing wood panels then Josie cleaned and painted the building. We have also had help from others for a few hours.”

Friends of the Park fitted the new gates at the entrance to the Queen Street park, installed new benches and more.

Lichfield District Council has pledged £4,000 to the project - but Ian still has not received anything.

Ian decided if he waited for the council funding the gates would not be ready in time for Remembrance Day. He hopes the money will arrive in the next few weeks.

Lichfield District Council strategic director of democratic, development and legal services, Richard King, said: “Parks make such a big difference to local people’s lives and the district council works hard to provide clean and safe parks and open spaces for local people to enjoy.

“Each park is used differently, and different investment is required - from play equipment, to restoration work.

“We work with local people to ensure we are investing in the right areas, and over the past few months the district council has invested over £360,000 in parks and open spaces in the Burntwood area - from supporting some of Mr Johnson’s renovation works, to investing over £160,000 in a new games area and the restoration of the Pavillion in Redwood Park, through to over £200,000 investment in Chasewater reservoir.

“In the coming months, we are set to invest a further £84,000 on improvements to Burntwood Park, Jack’s Wood and new play equipment in Redwood Park.

“We are incredibly grateful to Mr Johnson for all his work and plan to invest a further £14,000 towards the restoration of features within Chasetown Memorial Park in the next few months.”

l If anyone would like to help Ian and Friends sweep and clean the entrance this Saturday or Sunday morning (November 8 and 9) ring him on 01543 672753.C