| Newbury Town Council is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a £50,000 planning grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund toward the “Victoria Park Enhancement Project”. The grant will pay for professional landscape architects to work with the council to draw up a plan for the restoration of the park.
It has been aim of the Town Council for a number of years to enhance Victoria Park, because it is a vital green leisure space for Newbury and is part of the Vision for Newbury. The Heritage Lottery Fund is keen to be involved because it recognises the history of the park, which was created by local people. The improvements to the park will be planned in conjunction with other aspects of the Vision, in particular Park Way and the Wharf.
Councillor Gillian Durrant, Leader of the Town Council, said “Victoria Park is well loved and is very important to us and the people of Newbury, but it has not had serious money spent on it for many years. We intend to smarten it up with new planting of trees and shrubs, flower beds, playgrounds, lighting, seating, etc; and evaluate new attractions such as mini golf and an ice rink.
Once the plan has been drawn up, the public will be consulted, and when we have an agreed plan with the support of the town, then we will be seeking partners to fund the improvements. We will also be seeking a further Heritage Lottery Fund grant”.
The plan will be led by the Victoria Park Working Group, which currently consists of Town Councillors and an officer of the Council, but will now be expanded. Anyone keen to be invited should phone the Town Hall on 01635 35486 and leave their contact details.
Our photograph shows, from left to right – Councillors Mike Rodger, Ian Grose, Lyn Messenger, Gillian Durrant and Mike Johnston at the bandstand in Victoria Park. | 
