The Friends of Debdale Park
ANNUAL
REPORT
2020 - 2021
Registered Charity 1154238
Debdale Park, 1075 Hyde Road, Gorton Manchester M18 7LJ
www.friendsofdebdalepark.co.uk
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Debdale Park and Gorton Lower Reservoir 2020 (Photo by Ann Todd)
CONTENTS
1. A Challenging Year
2. Activity Update
3. Park Staff
4. Governance
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1. A Challenging Year
Over the past year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Friends have not been able to meet or function as normal.
Our last meeting was in March after which all meetings and projects had to be cancelled due to the national lockdown. Since then communications has been mainly by email.
After the preparation of detailed Risk Assessments that conform to MCC park regulations for our new situation some activity has been possible in some projects
Debdale Diggers getting to grips with things
Of particular note has been the dedication of the volunteer gardeners, also known as the Debdale Diggers.
Their work has enabled us to continue to fulfil the aim of the Friends which is: - to provide a welcoming, healthy, accessible, safe and high quality park which meets a diverse range of needs and aspirations on a sustainable basis.
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2.Activity Update
The focus of activity of the Friends has been to keep the park in good order that will be attractive to visitors.
One of the features of the lockdown has been the renewed appreciation of natural open spaces like the park and an increase in its usage.
The main herbaceous border summer 2020
Volunteers at work.
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1. Volunteer Gardening Project – ‘Debdale Diggers’
Diggers at work in the Rose Garden - Summer 2020
The volunteers were able to continue to work in a limited form under the conditions of the Risk Assessment. These conditions included the sanitization of tools and social distancing under the supervision of the Project Manager, Olwyn Taylor.
One of the priorities for the volunteers was maintaining the Rose Garden. Individual beds have been allocated to individuals or couples for maintenance.
During the year a number of new tools were purchased so as to be sufficient for the number of volunteers, which now numbers at over a dozen.
New tools marked and sanitized.
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One of the 19 restored rose beds.
Young volunteers at work
- For more information email – olwyn 109@outlook.com
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2.Volunteer Work Days
During the lockdown intermissions we were able to arrange four Volunteer Work Days with the Co-op Bank and Autotraders . This was made possible through the assistance of Benefacto the charity support agency that has helped to coordinate this activity.
AutoTraders working on the main rose bed
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Groups of up to six volunteers worked on the rose beds in September and October and made a great difference. Further Activity Days had been arranged but had to be cancelled due to the changed circumstances of the pandemic.
A Tree Planting event was arranged on 18 December in conjunction with City of Trees as part of the Great Northern Forest Project to plant 50 million trees over the next 25 years. Some 200 saplings were planted.
Planting saplings to extend the wooded area.
3. Debdale Bowling and Social Club
The Bowling pavilion has remained closed during the pandemic but access to the greens was allowed for individuals or couples for private bowling exercise in conformity with park guidelines. No organized events took place.
Work has continue in maintaining the grounds. During the summer two new shelters were installed alongside the greens and in November the concrete foundation was laid for a container next to the pavilion to provide extra storage space. The work was carried out by Groundwork and further work is planned to refurbish the interior of the pavilion during the coming year.
In October the lower green was completely renewed and re-seeded by the contractor Bancroft.
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Volunteers tidying up the Bowling Greens
Planting a new laurel hedge at the Bowling Club
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4.Debdale Ramblers
This new group was started just before lockdown. It meets on Thursday mornings for an hour’s walk led by Olwyn and has been attracting over a dozen walkers.
5.Tai Chi
Directed classes take place on Wednesday mornings in the Community Garden area behind the old barn.
6. Green Fingers gardening project
Andy in festive mode on the allotment area.
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Though this project has not been able to function during the year Andrew Parsons, the project manager, has been able to maintain the allotment and growing areas with the help of some volunteers who have visited on a regular basis.
Though some of the allotment area was lost to the extended fencing round Gorton House the fruit bushes have all been moved and replanted in the former biorhythmic garden area that had become overgrown.
The project now includes the area vacated by the Eco-Centre. Andy has significant plans to improve facilities in the coming year.
7. Debdale Nature Centre
Debdale Nature Centre and Community garden.
This is a project that the Friends have been trying to start for some time as a way of developing interest in the amazing wild life resource we have in the area of the park and reservoir area as well as the conservation area of Gore Brook which is part of the Gorton Heritage Trail.
The Centre is located in one of the cabins that has been made available with the departure of the Eco Centre and which is now being prepared as the hub for the Nature Centre. The cabin is being refurbished and equipped to host activity groups.
A variety of activities have already been instigated and there are plans to redevelop the Community garden area as a wild life haven
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8.Gorton House
Gorton House, rear view
A further collapse to the rear of the house this year has now rendered the whole structure extremely precarious. Wooden boarding and a new extended perimeter safety fence was installed to secure the site.
Meetings that had been planned to discuss the future of the house have had to be postponed. However plans are in hand to reconvene the Gorton House Action Group and engage the University Landscape Architecture faculty that has expressed interest in the house.
The agenda of the Action Group is to re-engage with the community over this project and launch a new funding bid.
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9.Tennis Court and recreational facilities.
Proposals are now in hand for the further refurbishment of the tennis court.
A proposed action plan has been agreed after meetings of the Friends, ManchesterActive, local councillors and the Park Management to resurface and remark the playing area and introduce further nets to make three courts. There will also be space for a basketball court.
10. The Manchester Bee and Nursery in the Park
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The Manchester Bee was finally installed in October in the nursery grounds. The nursery has remained open and is operating in accordance with the pandemic requirements.
11. Wheels for All
Previous plans for the reintroduction of this project to the park have been changed due to lack of funding but new possibilities are currently being explored by Doreen Grafton and a feasibility group.
12. Heroes Wood
No services were able to take place this year though the memorial area has had regular visitors and has been maintained. There are plans to plant further trees and bulbs in the area.
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13. Projects suspended due to lockdown restrictions
Men’s Shed
Cycling for Health
Health Walks
Run in the Park
Gorton Visual Arts
Holiday Playschemes
Gorton Pagan Moot
Gorton Carnival and Gorton Pagan Pride
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3.Park Staff
In August after four years working in the park as Neighbourhood Delivery Officer Andy McCleary moved on to another post. During this time he had been very supportive of the Friends and all the many projects that they were engaged in. As a small gesture of appreciation for all his hard work the Friends organized a small leaving party which had to be held outdoors. Fortunately it was a lovely sunny day. The event was attended by the Patron of The Friends, Afzal Khan MP, and also by local councilors who all expressed their appreciation of his commitment in what proved to be a very enjoyable event.
Andy’ s Leaving party in August
On the 17 August Rob Gorvett took over Andy’s role under the new title of Park Ranger. Unfortunately for Rob he has never been able to be properly introduce to the Friends in a formal meeting and it has been difficult for him to pick up on the many projects. Added to this is an enormous extra amount of administrative work attached to the pandemic regulations. Hopefully next year will be better.
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Park Ranger Rob (on the right) is assisted in the park by Paul Baxter, Estate Assistant (left).
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All tidy!
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4.Governance
The Friends of Debdale Park CIO Trustees
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Allan Grafton, MBE JP - Chair
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Peter Rees – Vice Chair
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Chris Kennedy – Treasurer
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Paul Kirkham – Secretary
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Olwyn Taylor – Bowling Club
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Vicki Heap – Gorton Pagan Moot
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Kim Stevenson – Foundation Years Nursery
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Andrew Parsons – Green Fingers
Patron
Hon. Afzal Khan, MP
Chair
Mr Allan Grafton, MBE JP. Vice Chair: Peter Rees; Secretary: Paul Kirkham Treasurer: Chris Kennedy
Committee
Peter Rees (Cycling for Health) Olwyn Taylor (Bowling Club & Volunteer Gardening) Irene Hargreaves (Bowling Club) Ian McKay (Gorton Visual Arts) Kim Stevenson (Nursery in the Park) Andrew Parsons (Learning Disability Partnership) Doreen Grafton (Wheels fort All) Vicki Heap (Gorton Pagan Moot)
Advisors
William Eastwood (Park & Neighbourhood Manager MCC) Rob Gorvett (Park Ranger)
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Friends of Debdale Park Accounts 2020- 2021 Bank: Registered Charfty: 1154238 Date BrouBht forward: 0810412020 Item Amount Balan £6.627 Intome: Runnlngtotsl £0.00 £1.250.00 £2,250.00 £2,750.IXI 0910412020 2010412020 1710812020 Bank account switch incentive OTre Manchester Soup rnoney forGYC Botton at Home donation £1,250.C £i,(X>O.(M) £500.IM) Total Income: £2.75Q.(Kl Expendityre.. £0. £194.57 0810712020 0910712020 1510712020 1710812020 1810812020 1810812020 1810812020 181(Yd/2020 1611012020 1011112020 1111112020 2010112021 2610112021 1031 Laptop and petty cash Imen's Shed) 1051 Internet hosting and Domain 1041 Insurance (Men's Shedl 1071 tterns for Andy Mc's PentatIOn 1081 Gardening Supplies IDebdale Diggers) 1061 Gardening SUppls (Debdale Diggersl 1021 Keys Iolwynl 1091 Gardening supplies (Debdale Diggersl 1101 Volunteer Gardening 1111 Bandsaw Blade5 Imen's Shed) 1121 Tree Station Iwoodehipl 1141 Men's Shed reimbursement 1C.Kennel 1131 Christmas Gifts (Debdale Diggers) £194.57 £88.77 £283.34 £381.43 £664.77 £109.20 £773.97 £7.1 £780.97 £16.(X) £796.97 £27.(M) £823.97 £51.96 £875.93 £134.79 £1,010.72 £1,033.23 £162.03 £1,162.03 £1204.93 £22.51 £28.80 £1(.00 £42.90 Total Expendlture: EI.20493 Total: £8,239.34
Gorton House Driveway and Rose Garden 2020 (Photo by Ann Todd)
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