NEWSROOM

The green-fingered members of the Friends of Telford Town Park (FOTTP) say they are delighted the group has been approved by the charity commission as it opens more opportunities to apply for new grants and funding, which will allow them to expand their work.

FOTTP was established in 2003 and has helped with the upkeep, development and regeneration of the Chelsea and Maxell Gardens as well as other areas of the award-winning Telford Town Park alongside Telford & Wrekin Council contractors every week since.

Adrian Smith, chairman of FOTTP, said: “All our members and supporters are over the moon that we have been granted charity status by the charity commission.

“It is something we have been thinking about for many years and marks a major milestone in the organisation’s development. Charitable status strengthens the group and enhances its credibility, while also opening new opportunities for funding, partnerships, and longer-term projects within the park.

“Most importantly, it supports the continued work to protect, conserve, and enhance Telford Town Park for the benefit of the wider community.

“We are really looking forward to the next few years and would like to invite anyone who would like to join us at our weekly meetings to come along, we’re always on the lookout for new people who would like to get outside and get involved – and we have a lot of projects so we would appreciate the help.

“Sincere thanks to local businesses for the support they have shown, and we are delighted that some of those supporters have stepped forward as trustees of our charity now, their commitment has been central to achieving this milestone. Supporting financially or with volunteers as part of a voluntary role is a way for local firms to show their investment in the local area and we would invite any other businesses near or far to join us.

“Looking ahead, there is enthusiasm for expanding activities, welcoming new volunteers, and continuing close collaboration with partners across the Borough, ensuring that Telford Town Park remains a vibrant, welcoming, and accessible space for all.

“We are also now looking for a celebrity patron of our registered charity – we would love for it to be an environmentally conscious person born locally, so we really hope someone can use their platform to help support us, the work we do and help to continue improving this wonderful green space that so many people enjoy.”

The FOTTP new charity number is 1219196, and their trustees include Adrian as well as their volunteers Adrian Nimara, Lucy Moore, Andy Bunn and Peter Bailey.

In addition, local businessmen Kevin Deane, the Delivery Executive at Fujitsu, and CEO of Simmonds Transport Bart Walkerdine have become trustees having supported the group with funding and man hours as part of staff wellbeing initiatives for over three years.

Councillor Carolyn Healy, Telford & Wrekin Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Planning and Sustainability, said: "The Friends of Telford Town Park have been a valued partner to the Council for many years, giving their time and expertise to help care for and enhance some of the park's most cherished spaces.

"Their volunteers have made a significant contribution to a wide range of projects, helping to ensure Telford Town Park continues to be a welcoming and enjoyable place for residents and visitors alike.

"Achieving charitable status is a well-deserved milestone and I look forward to seeing the group continue to build on its success, creating even more opportunities for local people, businesses and community organisations to get involved in supporting our award-winning town park."

The volunteers have recently completed a project to reopen the dipping pools at the Withy Pool in the Town Park and created a forest school area by the Grange Pool, as well as replaced the Crannog bridge and habitat work to encourage basking lizards and snakes in the local nature reserve.

The group is also investigating ways to raise money to replace the wooden walkway in the Japanese Garden in the Maxell Gardens and has almost completed a revamp of the sensory garden in the Chelsea Gardens.

There are 25 members of FOTTP, and gardening sessions are held each week on a Wednesday morning and once a month on a Saturday morning.

To keep up to date with their work follow their Facebook page, Instagram page or visit their website www.fottp.co.uk.

You can also support them by signing up to the TWINCL lottery to help raise money for the work they do. Anyone can do this by visiting www.twincl.co.uk and choosing FOTTP as the cause to support.