Baxenden: Haworth Park lawns to be transformed

Haworth Park and Art Gallery are the Jewel in Hyndburn's Crown and the news that the lawns at Accrington Haworth Park are to be transformed, so they can be used for cultural events and outdoor weddings is very exciting.

Our thanks go to Baxenden Community Forum who have been successful in being awarded a grant of £28,700 for the project.

 The group has previously worked alongside Hyndburn Borough Council to gain funding to restore the original rose garden in the grounds in 2012.

Now its has teamed up again to secure the money from Lancashire Environmental Fund and a grant Baxenden Area Council, to pay for drainage work to be carried out on the lawns adjacent to the new rose garden.

The Secretary of the Baxenden Community Forum, Sheila McVan, ,said: “We put the bid together at the end of last year and we are delighted to have the money for the drainage work. The lawns are very wet and the old drains are blocked and so it really needs doing. Once it’s done, the ground will be dry enough for us to plan outdoor events like plays and musical events and will also allow the Haworth Art Gallery to host weddings and other functions outside in marquees. The money will also be spent on a raised area, sort of like a stage, for these events to take place.”

The work is set to begin in the first week of March and is expected to take between four and six weeks. The lawns and rose garden will have to be closed off during the work.

Coun Ciaran Wells, the executive member for education, leisure and arts, said: “I’d really like to thank the Baxenden Community Group for all their hard work in securing the funding and everything they’ve done so far on the rose garden. I would  also like to thank them for always working alongside the council to make Howarth Park such a special outdoor space.”