Issue 4. June 2015
LANDMARK RESTORATION
SUMMER THEATRE WIN A WILD CARD
family events in the
park
Welcome to the fourth issue of Enjoy, a new magazine with all the latest news and events at Williamson Park in Lancaster. Coun David Smith, cabinet member with responsibility for parks and open spaces
There is so much happening up at Williamson Park we can’t wait to tell you about it. Recent visitors will have noticed that the Ashton Memorial is undergoing major building works on its exterior. Read all about how Lancaster City Council is continuing to invest in Lancaster’s most iconic landmark. The Dukes are returning with Oliver Twist this summer, plus, we will host three additional theatre production in the Dell…we can’t wait!
Wild Card
Send us a photo via We are always thinking of ways to make it as easy for families to visit us Instagram that shows us as possible, so last year we introduced why you love your park and a new Wild Card. join the @williamsonpark For a one off payment of £40 a family of up to two adults and two children #wildcardchallenge all entries (or one adult and three children) can must be received by 5 July. access the Butterfly House, the Mini Beast Cave and the Animal Garden for an unlimited amount of times for a whole year. They are available to purchase from the gift shop or enter our competition e entry to th to win one. Unlimited le year!
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Enjoy! A Landmark Restoration puddle lovers!) and see the equipment replaced which will be in keeping with the environment and geared to children under 8 years. For older children, there will be new adventure play equipment in place in the area at the bottom of the hill. Work on the play areas will take place later this year and we are hoping that the Friends of Williamson Park are successful in their funding bid for an additional £30,000 contribution. The former observatory site has benefitted from a grant from the Forestry Commission. So far, 121 trees have been removed to increase light levels, promote natural regeneration within the park and pathway improvements for accessibility. The trees have been reused as seating for our outdoor theatre shows. Keep a look out for some new signage and interpretation boards coming soon and the installation of 50 new bird boxes for native woodland bird species, and some picnic benches. More people can dine ‘al fresco’ at the Pavilion Café due to a number of new benches and tables. The stone filled gabion baskets look very modern and are more comfortable than they look! The upkeep of Williamson Park is high maintenance but seen as a priority for Lancaster City Council. Not only is it at the
The Friends of Williamson Park have done a tremendous job of upgrading the toilets in the Wyresdale Road Car Park. Over the quieter winter months, they re-tiled (with generous donations from Topps Tiles) and repainted. The Friends group have put in well over 350 hours on the work and the end result is magnificent. Friends of Williamson Park meet monthly and carry out many different projects to support the work of the park and its staff. Contact chair@parkfriends.co.uk for more information.
attraction
We love to hear your views whether it is about the park or this magazine. Please send any comments to williamsonpark@lancaster.gov.uk
Standing at over 151 metres above sea level the Ashton Memorial is an iconic landmark in the North West. Responsibility for this Grade I listed building of national importance lies with Lancaster City Council who are investing in repairing this building to ensure that it is retained for future generations to enjoy. In February, contractors arrived on site to begin a six month project which will see the building refurbished inside and out. A total of £730, 000 will be spent on repairing windows and doors, two interior domes, exterior masonry, resealing floorings and repainting the interiors. When the job is finished this August, the building will be in fine form and ready to host future weddings and community events and exhibitions. Further repairs are also currently taking place elsewhere in the park. A total of over £114, 000 has been set aside to spend on repairing five of the shelters, repointing the boundary walls and repairing the bridge over the lake. Families with young children who visit our playground will be thrilled to hear that it is in line for a transformation. The improvement plans will tackle the current problem of drainage (hooray for parents, less well received for our young muddy
News from the Friends
pinnacle of the Lancaster community it also attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city. The park is accredited by Visit England, Taste Lancashire and Green Flag Awards. It also holds a Green Flag Heritage award, the only park in Lancashire with this accolade.
Smart Orienteering You can now use your mobile phone on our orienteering course! The control markers have been fitted with a QR Code so you can now scan each code with your phone which will be recorded on the MOBO website. This will allow you to check your time against others. To give it a go you will first need to download an app for reading QR codes. Then when you are ready, search for ‘MOBO Orienteering’ and off you go! There are three courses (easy, moderate and hard) suited to all abilities. Maps are available in the shop for £1 plus a fee of £5 per group (max of 10 people per group). The Red Rose Orienteers hold regular events. For more information visit www.sroc.org
Thinking of getting married? If you are planning on getting married soon, please consider hosting your special day with us in the Ashton Memorial. Take a look at our new wedding brochure available online at www.lancaster.gov.uk/ weddings or pick up a copy on your next visit.
Williamson Park, Lancaster City Council, LA1 1UX 01524 33318 - www.lancaster.gov.uk/williamsonpark
/williamsonpark
@williamsonpark
Williamson Park is on Instagram! Tag us @williamsonpark or #williamsonpark
Outdoor Theatre Enjoy theatre under the stars with these three wonderful productions taking place in the Dell this summer.
Tuesday 25 August - 6.30pm
Wednesday 26 August - 7.30pm
Sunday 30 August - 7.30pm
Ride the Slide The legendary waterslide is back this summer! Come along and brave the steepest waterslide in Lancaster on Thursday 30 July and Thursday 13 August from 1.30pm – 3.30pm Don’t forget to bring a towel and spare clothes!
All shows are produced by Illyria, an Equity Outdoor Touring Guidelines compliant company. The café will be open before the productions and during the interval for refreshments. Tickets are £13.50 adult £8.50 child £39 family available from the gift shop or online at www.lancaster.gov.uk/park-tickets
Oliver Twist The Dukes award-winning theatre returns to the park from July 3-August 15 with their new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ popular story – Oliver Twist. Dickens’ wonderful characters – Fagin, the Artful Dodger, Nancy, Bill Sykes and the hideous Mr Bumble – will lead the audience on a journey through the magical open-air setting of Williamson Park transformed into Dickensian England with a Northern twist. Along the way, they will see orphan Oliver thrown out of the workhouse and dragged into the park to be sold to the highest bidder but hidden deep in the woods, Fagin and his gang of tricksters and scoundrels lie in wait, living a life of adventure. This year’s production of Oliver Twist has been adapted by established theatre, television and radio writer Debbie Oates who has written for Coronation Street since 2002. To book tickets for Oliver Twist which is recommended for anyone aged 5 plus, ring The Dukes Box Office on 01524 598500 or visit www.dukes-lancaster.org.
Summer Holiday Activity Programme
21 July - 5 September 2015
Fun Packed Activities for young people aged 2 - 16 years, on sale from Monday 29th June
Over 100 activities across our parks, museums, sports centre, community pools, castle and beyond!
Fun 4 Kidz Weeks available for just £40 for the whole week!* Sign up to our mailing list today and be the first to find out about early bird offers or discounts!
Great Value for Money!
See www.lancaster.gov.uk/holidayprogramme or call Salt Ayre Sports Centre on 01524 597 107 for more information. *£40 for weeks 1, 3 & 4. £32 for week 2 as this is a 4 day programme.