Plans for £100,000 development of Whitchurch park revealed

Queensway Playing Fields Associationis currently running a consultation to improve the park.

And now officials have revealed their initial plans.

Rob Hewson, chairman of Queensway Playing Fields Association, said: "We are hoping to create a new community orchard.

"We have recently been given £10,000 grant from the Tesco Bags of Help fund to help with that.

"It will involve the planting of fruit trees in an area on the playing fields.

"We also want to develop the fishing provisions.

"We want to put more fish in the pool and launch a fishing club. We still need a few more members for this and would like anyone who wants to join to come forward.

"To join the club will cost £30.

"Also we want to build a changing room for Whitchurch Alport Football Club who use the playing fields. We would also like to build a compost toilet as well."

Surrounded by one of the town's largest residential areas, the playing fields cover two acres of mature parkland and feature a playground, football pitch, woodland and a fishing lake.

Mr Hewson said the association was currently looking for volunteers to help.

He added: "We are now looking for a big firm that can donate a digger.

"We want to straighten off the top of the car park and re-enforce it.

"It currently floods a bit.

"We have a lot of plans. We want to put something back into the community.

"It is going to be a brilliant asset for the community once it is finished. It is for the people of Whitchurch.

"The support we have had has been brilliant. Meres and Moses have been very supportive in our plans to enhance the wild flower and conservation area."

Queensway Playing Fields Association is currently looking for new committee members to help.

Organisers said they recently held a successful fun day on Thursday which more than 150 people attended.

There was cricket, football, smoothie making, face painting and tattoos plus a lot of other games and nature related activities.

There was also a chance for people to view plans for suggested improvements on the playing fields and to put forward their suggestions.

Earlier this month, Whitchurch company Grocontinental donated £6,000 to the project.

Linda Grocott, managing director of Grocontinental, joined committee members at the registered charity's latest meeting to present the £6,000 cheque.

She said: "Queensway Playing Fields offer a really unique and stunning rural environment for local people to enjoy, whatever their age.

"The committee members work tirelessly to keep the playing fields going and to constantly make improvements.

"It is a thriving committee scheme which offers so much.

''Many members of our staff live close to the park and we are very pleased and proud to be able to contribute towards securing its future."

Queensway Playing Fields Association is currently looking for new committee members to help.

The next fundraising event will be a coffee morning held on July 29 in the Civic Centre from 9.30am.

For more information, search Queensway Playing Fields Whitchurch on Facebook.