Blackburn volunteer group’s green fingers recognised!

Witton Country Park Green Gym has recently been awarded Highly Commended in the Making a Difference Awards, run by BBC Radio Lancashire.

Green Gyms were founded by The Conservation Volunteers and there are many of them across the UK. The aim of a Green Gym is to offer fun and free outdoor volunteering sessions, transforming local green spaces. The Department of Health and GPs recognise the invaluable impact that Green Gyms can have on those who take part and GPs even prescribe Green Gym sessions to patients to encourage them to improve their health and wellbeing.

The Witton Country Park Green Gym was formed in May 2007, before becoming independent in 2010. The group meet every Thursday from 09.45am to 1.30pm in all weathers and average around 15 to 25 members. The group take part in supervised nature conservation activities which allows them an opportunity to get more physically active and boost their well-being whilst improving and maintaining Witton Country Park. They have created new pathways, improved current ones, removed non-native trees and plants, maintained wooded areas, established new wooded areas and hedgerows, upgraded fencing, provided new seating through the park, carried out river and stream clearances as well as simple litter picking.

The Making a Difference Awards were held on Saturday, September 21 at Blackpool Tower, and the group were one of four finalists in the category The Green Award, nominated by the community and chosen from hundreds of entries. The four representatives who went on behalf of the Green Gym had a brilliant time soaking up the atmosphere and were really pleased to take home highly commended.

Councillor Jim Casey, Assistant Executive Member for Environment and Communities said:

I’d like to congratulate Green Gym on their success. The recognition they received shows how valued they are in the community, not only for the practical difference they make to Witton Park but also for the opportunities they give to its members. I hope that the group continue to go from strength to strength.

Anyone can attend Green Gym by visiting their room next to the Pavilion Café in Witton Park at 09.45am on a Thursday. For more information, e-mail wittoncpgreengym@btinternet.com