Village green opened with celebratory afternoon picnic

People in Childs Ercall, near Market Drayton, brought out their deck chairs and blankets and enjoyed a taste of the bank holiday sunshine to celebrate their new open space.

The site, Manor Green, was officially opened yesterday along with a memorial to the late parish council chairman David James.

The council organised a 'bring and share' village picnic to celebrate the opening, having spent years negotiating the site as part of conditions for nearby residential development.

Parish council clerk Audrey Welling said: "It was lovely to receive the support from the village, and we kept our fingers crossed all day for the rain to hold out!

"We wanted to make sure the village always had a green area that wouldn't be built on, and it took ever such a long time.

"Now we have it, it felt like a good opportunity to celebrate with an informal afternoon picnic."

Mr James, chairman of the parish council for 15 years, was a key part in attaining the green, and died in 2008 from a brain haemorrhage at the age of 52.

A stone memorial and plaque was installed on the green as a thank you for his hard work.

A lump of granite stone was chosen, typical of Shropshire landscape. Known as an erratic, the rocks are special because there is no local source of granite, and therefore unusual in the county.

Ms Wellings said: "He was such a personality of the village and he was always helping with everything. It's just lovely that we've been able to remember him in this way.

"I think he would have really enjoyed today's events, and appreciated all of the support.

"I would like to thank everyone who came along, and I hope they enjoyed the day!"

Ms Wellings added that she hoped the community would continue to enjoy the open space for years to come.