With regret, FOCP have to announce that our AGM, usually held every November, has been cancelled due to the Covid 19 restrictions.

Although the public meeting will no longer be possible, the current Chairman, Secretary & Treasurer have all agreed to continue in their respective rolls until the restrictions are lifted. The committee voted unanimously in favour of this proposal.

Activity Report: Although normal operations during the last year have been extremely difficult due to the covid 19 outbreak, we have managed to achieve some significant steps towards our main objectives.

November 2019: Work finally started on phase 1 of the play area rebuild. A new underground drainage system was installed beneath the whole of the play area, new paths and “soft bounce” surfaces were laid, 4 brand new items of play equipment were installed and the perimeter fences were re painted and brightened up. The whole of the eastern side of the play area is now looking fantastic and is being used by far greater numbers than ever before.

April 2020: FOCP managed to obtain independent and separate funding to undertake a formal comprehensive woodland survey at the north end of the park. Ultimately, it is hoped that this survey will help to formally manage the woodland in this important area and to clean out the brook itself. Possible additions may include nature trails, wild flower meadows, sculptures etc etc. Similar to the play equipment, this is a much neglected area badly in need of TLC.

July 2020: The temporary lifting of restrictions allowed phase 1 of the play area to formally open after partial refurbishment, a great result.

August: 4 replacement notice boards were supplied and erected, the vandalised park bench was repaired and 3 large trays of primulas, kindly donated by Lets Grow Preston, were planted.

September: A full page article appeared in the Lancashire Post featuring FOCP together with photos of the refurbished play area. Overgrown areas of the pathways were cut back by FOCP members to allow social distancing at all times. All work was undertaken whilst adhering to Covid-19 guidelines. New signs erected around the play area for the purpose of naming and thanking our kind sponsers.

The Future: Unfortunately, Covid-19 restrictions prohibit any fundraising events at the current time. Our dedicated team however are working behind the scenes thinking of more inventive ways to secure funding. Work is now well under way to secure funding towards phase 2 of the play area restoration. We are attempting to raise 25K to 30K for this purpose. Once the play area is completely restored, we plan to raise further funding to create an all-weather surfaced footpath. This will run south to north adjacent to the railway line linking the pavilion car park to the woodland hedge at the north end of the park and thence onto the existing east west boundary path. We would like to thank all of our sponsors, our hard working and dedicated team and the neighbourhood in general for their continued support, particularly in these difficult times. Any updates will be published on our website and Facebook pages. If anyone would like to make a donation, no matter how large or small, please contact us via these pages. Help us to improve the play area, what a gift this will be for your children, grandchildren and all younger members of the family. Your donation will be gratefully received and will go a long way towards improving the facility for the benefit of all.

Stay well, stay safe and enjoy the park.

Kind regards

Chairman – Friends Of Conway Park