2024-11-01-accounts

East Pines Park – Annual Report Nov 23 – Oct 24

This year has been an exceptionally busy and rewarding one for East Pines Park, with a wide range of projects, improvements, and initiatives completed that have significantly enhanced the facilities and overall experience for everyone who visits. We are incredibly proud of what has been achieved and are grateful for the ongoing support of local residents, volunteers, and community partners who continue to make the park a vibrant and welcoming space.

Key Improvements and Additions

• Memorial Bench – One of our most cherished additions this year has been the installation of a new memorial bench. This bench provides a peaceful and reflective space for visitors to sit, rest, and remember loved ones. It has quickly become a popular feature within the park, offering not just a place to pause but also a symbol of community remembrance and connection.

• First World War Tree – In a project that combines both history and nature, we planted a First World War tree as a living tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of those who served in the conflict. This tree will grow for generations, standing as a lasting reminder of the importance of remembering our shared past while providing environmental benefits such as shade, cleaner air, and natural beauty.

• Pathway Improvements – Accessibility and safety have been a key focus this year. Significant work has been undertaken to improve the paths and walkways throughout the park. These enhancements ensure that people of all ages and abilities, including those with mobility challenges, can enjoy the park safely and comfortably, no matter the season.

• New Lawn Mower – To maintain the high standards of our sports facilities, particularly the football pitch, we invested in a new lawn mower. This has already made a visible difference to the quality of the grass, providing a safe, even, and wellmaintained surface for footballers and other sports participants. Ensuring highquality playing surfaces is essential for encouraging participation and fostering a love of sport within the community.

• Children’s Play Area – We continued to enhance the park for younger visitors by securing two brand new springers for the playground. These additions provide safe, engaging, and fun play opportunities for children, encouraging physical activity, social interaction, and imaginative play. Ensuring the playground remains an attractive, safe, and enjoyable space for families is a priority for us.

• Sports Coaching – Our free sports coaching programme has continued throughout the year, offering children and young people the chance to develop their skills, stay active, and enjoy sport in a supportive environment. These sessions not only promote health and fitness but also foster teamwork, confidence, and a sense of belonging within the community.

Ongoing Projects

Looking ahead, we are working on installing solar lights throughout the park. This environmentally friendly project will improve safety and accessibility during evening hours, allowing visitors to enjoy the park for longer periods while reducing our environmental footprint. The solar lights will also enhance the aesthetic appeal of the park after dark, creating a welcoming atmosphere for evening walkers, families, and sports participants.

Challenges

The biggest ongoing challenge for the park continues to be the recruitment and retention of volunteers. While our small but dedicated team has been instrumental in achieving so much this year, there is an ever-growing need for additional support. Volunteers play a vital role in the daily maintenance, delivery of activities, and development of new projects. Attracting more volunteers will ensure that we can continue to expand our programmes, maintain the high standards of the park, and meet the increasing expectations of the community. We remain committed to creating opportunities for people to get involved and contribute in meaningful ways, and we are actively exploring new strategies to engage more volunteers.

Looking Ahead

Despite the challenges, East Pines Park continues to be a central and much-loved part of the community. Over the past year, we have delivered a range of significant improvements and initiatives that have enhanced the experience for visitors of all ages. With continued community support, the dedication of volunteers, and investment in the park’s facilities, we are confident that the park will continue to thrive. Our ambition is to make East Pines Park an inclusive, safe, and engaging space where people can come together, enjoy sport, play, and nature, and create lasting memories. The year ahead promises even more exciting developments, and we look forward to building on this year’s successes to further enrich the park for everyone who uses it.

Accounts 24

Nov- 23		Paypal	Faster Payment s	BGC		10,593.26
Nov- 23		Paul Galley	Cheque number - 100203 - Shed roof material s	Cheque		10,551.26
Dec- 23		Blackpo ol	Cheque number	Cheque		8,351.26

		Council	212 - Sports Coaching 2023
	Cheq ue num ber 1002 14 - VOID
Dec- 23		Michelle Backhou se	Cheque number - 100216 Xmas Party - Voluntee rs	Cheque	8,247.46
Dec- 23		Michelle Backhou se	Cheque number - 100215 Voluntee r xmas presents	Cheque	8,217.08
Dec- 23		Paul Galley	Cheque number - 100213 Matting for Park / Xmas mugs	Cheque	8,130.09
Feb- 24		Blackpo ol Council - Library	BANK GIRO CREDIT REF BLACKP OOL CREDIT OR	BGC	500.00	8,630.09
Feb- 24		Glasdon donation	Glasdon	Cheque	500.00
Mar- 24		Blackpo ol Council - Ward Budget	Ward Budget for Lawn Mower	BGC	1,638.98	10,769.07
Mar- 24		National Lottery Funding	Sports Program me 2024	BGC	3,380.00	14,149.07

Mar- 24		Blackpo ol Council - Ward Budget	Ward Budget for Memoria l Bench	BGC	2,247.60	16,396.67
Jul- 24		Michelle Backhou se	Cheque number - 000206 misc receipts	Cheque	16,317.58
Jul- 24		David Ogilvie - Memoria l Bench	Cheque number - 000209 Memoria l Bench	Cheque	14,387.98
Jul- 24		Paul Galley	Cheque number - 000205 white line paint, weed fabric and football leaflets	Cheque	14,152.41
Aug- 24		Paul Galley	Cheque number - 000210 white line paint supplem ent	Cheque
		Michelle Backhou se	Cheque number - 100217 Misc items	Cheque	14,133.34
		Paul Galley	Cheque number - 100219 - White line marker , white paint, Mayor visit ,	Cheque	13,614.41

sport leaflets delive