Author: David Page 11 of 24

The fortnightly working parties resumed on 9 June with up to 30 people turning out to help get the Park into shape. The many jobs tackled have included weeding the rockery and Bed 38 (planting has been delayed by the lockdown), dealing with the weeds on the West bridge and pruning the nearby shrubs, pruning the west side beech hedge, removing bindweed from the Albemarle Gate hedge, edging paths, cleaning benches and keeping the area at Pittville Gates looking tidy. Litter picking is a regular job that’s done by the volunteers, including between working  parties, and Henry and Kath Williams, among others,  have gathered many black bags full since lockdown started.

The working parties are divided into small groups to observe social distancing rules and all have had a briefing from the park staff before starting work.

Friends of Pittville volunteers had intended to plant up Bed 38 (the one at the corner of Evesham and Wellington Roads) this spring but the lockdown intervened. As it happened nature helped out in the meantime by providing a lovely display of poppies. The photo was taken by Kathy James.

The live music event sponsored by Friends of Pittville on the 2 August at the Pump Room cafe proved very popular with up to 300 people enjoying the good weather and listening to the string quartet Gaudeamus Youth Strings playing a variety of music. The next ‘Friends of Pittville Presents’ event will be on Sunday 23 August featuring Rainy.

Friends of Pittville have joined forces with the Cheltenham Trust to present music from the Pittville Pump Room bandstand on two Sundays in August.

The Gaudeamus Youth Strings will be performing on Sunday 2 August from 3pm. The quartet consists of six formers who, during the last year, have played at concerts, including The Three Choirs Festival, weddings and workshops. Their repertoire ranges from classical to modern, with lots in between https://gaudeamusyouthstrings.wordpress.com/

Rainy will be performing on Sunday 23 August from 3pm. He is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who performs all the music on his albums. The warm-hearted positivity of his songwriting is inspired by many musical influences including African, Cuban and Latin plus Folk, Blues and Reggae. www.rainyandthedust.com

The play areas and outdoor fitness equipment in Pittville Park will be open from Saturday 4 July 2020, in line with government guidance.

To stop the spread of COVID-19, the council is asking everyone to follow the government’s social distancing guidelines and guidance posters will be available for all to follow at both the play areas and the outdoor fitness equipment locations.

Cllr Chris Coleman, member for clean and green environment, said: “Parks and play areas offer enjoyment for everyone and we are pleased to welcome people back. However, we need people to stay alert, maintain social distance, follow hygiene measures such as frequent hand washing, bringing your own hand sanitiser or wipes and follow the guidance on the posters at the play and fitness equipment areas. With young children we know social distancing is challenging so some play equipment has been removed to encourage distance and markers will be in place to guide visitors, where required. We would ask everyone to be patient and considerate of others while using the play areas”.

There will be social distancing and queuing markers on the ground and arrows to guide visitors where appropriate. The play area will be closed daily between 7am and 9am to facilitate maintenance activities.