February 2010
Edgar’s Field Park play and park improvement scheme:
The Scheme has been drawn up with The Friends of Edgar’s Field Park and with the input from local residents, local businesses, Chester Youth Club, Chester Roman soldiers and Queens Park High School.
Play Area
The Play area has been design using natural materials. It contains various levels and undulates using the existing topography. The play area is themed on the stories on Edgar’s Field Park. The play area will contain a variety of play equipment for all ages.
The Mosaic
The Council commissioned international Mosaic Artist Gary Drostle to design a mosaic for the park. Gary is working with art students from Queens Park High School on the design and creation of the mosaic. A public exhibition of the work produced, and design to be used was held on 22 February 2010.
New Bespoke Railings to the Park.
The proposed new railings to the park respect the original railings removed during the war. The new railings borrow ideas from existing railings in the area and will contain bespoke cast salmon that pick up on the history and character of Handbridge.
Archaeology
Some preliminary archaeological trenches were dug in the park in December 2009 to investigate the extent of archaeology in the area. A small foundation was found that requires further recording and investigation. Archaeologists will be on site during the works.
Funding
The Improvement scheme is being funded by Cheshire West and Chester Council, The Friends of Edgar’s Field Park and a large grant from WREN. WREN are a not for profit business that awards grants to community projects across the UK on behalf of Waste Recycling Group (WRG).
Part of the park and the play area will be closed for the duration of the works. The council will limit any inconvenience to local residents and park users.
- Construction on Edgar’s Field Park improvement scheme will start on site in early March 2010 and will be opened in early summer for people to use and enjoy.
- The improvements will see the following:
- An exciting new play area using natural materials.
- Installation of new bins, benches, notice boards and a large park welcome sign containing a picture of Minerva.
- Improvements to the park entrances with granite set details.
- New tree and shrub planting.
- Reinstatement of bespoke metal railings to park boundaries.
- Installation of interpretation Mosaic to tell the stories of Edgar’s Field's rich heritage.
The Scheme has been drawn up with The Friends of Edgar’s Field Park and with the input from local residents, local businesses, Chester Youth Club, Chester Roman soldiers and Queens Park High School.
Play Area
The Play area has been design using natural materials. It contains various levels and undulates using the existing topography. The play area is themed on the stories on Edgar’s Field Park. The play area will contain a variety of play equipment for all ages.
The Mosaic
The Council commissioned international Mosaic Artist Gary Drostle to design a mosaic for the park. Gary is working with art students from Queens Park High School on the design and creation of the mosaic. A public exhibition of the work produced, and design to be used was held on 22 February 2010.
New Bespoke Railings to the Park.
The proposed new railings to the park respect the original railings removed during the war. The new railings borrow ideas from existing railings in the area and will contain bespoke cast salmon that pick up on the history and character of Handbridge.
Archaeology
Some preliminary archaeological trenches were dug in the park in December 2009 to investigate the extent of archaeology in the area. A small foundation was found that requires further recording and investigation. Archaeologists will be on site during the works.
Funding
The Improvement scheme is being funded by Cheshire West and Chester Council, The Friends of Edgar’s Field Park and a large grant from WREN. WREN are a not for profit business that awards grants to community projects across the UK on behalf of Waste Recycling Group (WRG).
Part of the park and the play area will be closed for the duration of the works. The council will limit any inconvenience to local residents and park users.
March 2010
Volunteers improved the look of the flower bed along the side of the Ship by digging it over and raking.
With Spring just around the corner, a new playground under way, volunteers decided it was time to do something about all the junk on the riverside clearly visible from Edgar's Field Park.
View of the project area:
Volunteers improved the look of the flower bed along the side of the Ship by digging it over and raking.
With Spring just around the corner, a new playground under way, volunteers decided it was time to do something about all the junk on the riverside clearly visible from Edgar's Field Park.
View of the project area:
Twelve man hours later the results can be seen in the photos below. Old bikes, traffic cones, microwave ovens, vacuums, prams, bits of old boats and engine parts, bags of broken glass, rugs, carpets, an electric iron, numerous pipes and bits of scrap metal, jackets, boots, and not forgetting loads of plastic sheeting, bags, and bottles - just some of the things pulled out from the mud.
Work on the new playground started on 11th March. Click here to read the announcement in the Chester Chronicle.
April 2010
Friends cut back the excessive growth from the trees in the top corner using a specialist pruning saw.
On behalf of the Council, the Friends undertake local public consultation regarding a proposal to improve visibility and overall visual amenity of the new play area by removing two trees along the wall opposite the parade of shops.
Click here to see more and add your comments.
There's still lots to do including removing a couple of old sunken boats from mid river which snag unsightly rubbish. If you are interested in helping then please get in contact using the 'Contact Us' form on the left side menu.
Click here to see more and add your comments.
There's still lots to do including removing a couple of old sunken boats from mid river which snag unsightly rubbish. If you are interested in helping then please get in contact using the 'Contact Us' form on the left side menu.
May 2010
Contractors prepare to repair the cracked surround of Minerva's Shrine which the Friends brought to the Council's attention. The repair work is scheduled to begin 9th August.
At the request of the Friends, the local council arrange to remove two sunken boats in mid river which were snagging debris and were an eyesore.
June 2010
The new playground was opened for use on 14 June after a final safety inspection by ROSPA. It is already proving very popular with local children. With the light evenings and sunny weather, crowds of up to 50 children at a time were seen and heard having fun on all the new equipment and their parents and grandparents looked as if they were appreciating the new seating while watching them. It is good to see that so many children of all ages can play together so happily.
There are still a few finishing touches needed in the playground and in the rest of Edgar's Field Park to complete the project. Work on the new railings at each end of the park to replace those removed during World War II should begin before the end of June and the new welcome sign should be installed soon after that. The mosaic in the entrance to the playground has been delayed so that the artist can work on a large painting to the wall in the Amphitheatre but it will be finished soon afterwards.
There are still a few finishing touches needed in the playground and in the rest of Edgar's Field Park to complete the project. Work on the new railings at each end of the park to replace those removed during World War II should begin before the end of June and the new welcome sign should be installed soon after that. The mosaic in the entrance to the playground has been delayed so that the artist can work on a large painting to the wall in the Amphitheatre but it will be finished soon afterwards.
July 2010
Volunteers remove epicormic growth (see photo above), weed the stone cutting on both sides of the path, and cut back the brambles and nettles from the areas under the trees.
August 2010
It's wonderful to see the children's playground so well used. Work has continued this month with Minerva's Shrine repair completed and fencing removed, the mosaic base by artist Gary Drostle laid (the final three dimensional mosaic will be installed in October), and of course the classy new railings complete with salmon detailing are now up and finished.
It's wonderful to see the children's playground so well used.
Work has continued this month with Minerva's Shrine repair completed and fencing removed, the mosaic base by artist Gary Drostle laid (the final three dimensional mosaic will be installed in October), and of course the classy new railings complete with salmon detailing are now up and finished.
Work has continued this month with Minerva's Shrine repair completed and fencing removed, the mosaic base by artist Gary Drostle laid (the final three dimensional mosaic will be installed in October), and of course the classy new railings complete with salmon detailing are now up and finished.
Ship Inn Planning Application
The Friends have been faced with the enormous responsibility of publicising a planning application by the Ship Inn to build an extension on land belonging to the park.
With limited resources volunteers are working hard to ensure that as many of the people of Handbridge and of the wider community, have a chance to see the plans and hear the many reasons why we think the plans should be refused by the planning department and by the council.
So far, not only have hundreds of Handbridge residents submitted objections to the plans, so too have the following:
With limited resources volunteers are working hard to ensure that as many of the people of Handbridge and of the wider community, have a chance to see the plans and hear the many reasons why we think the plans should be refused by the planning department and by the council.
So far, not only have hundreds of Handbridge residents submitted objections to the plans, so too have the following:
- The Chester Civic Trust has objected to the Ship Inn plans saying "this proposal would be detrimental to the character of Edgar's Field."
- Design and Conservation Officer, Cheshire West & Chester Council concludes his submission on the proposal with: "it would affect seriously and negatively the character and appearance of the area, especially in this exposed and sensitive location. Therefore I can only strongly recommend the refusal of this application."
- Queens Park High School
- St. Mary's Community Nursery School
- Overleigh Day Nursery
- Overleigh St. Mary's CE Primary School
September 2010
October 2010
- Surface dressing of the paths at the parks entrance, around the playground and mosaic.
- New welcome sign at the main entrance to the park.
- 12 Oct. Planning Board REFUSED the controversial Ship Inn planning application by a majority of 7 to 1.
- New mosaic by Gary Drostle installed (photo above) .
November 2010
The Official Opening of the IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PARK by the Lord Mayor was held on Friday 5th November at 4:00pm
Roman Soldiers honoured Minerva's Shrine with a torch lit parade as part of the official unveiling.
Roman Soldiers honoured Minerva's Shrine with a torch lit parade as part of the official unveiling.
December 2010
2010 has seen Edgar's Field Park really come back to life. Not only has it been enhanced by a wonderful new play area with seating, new railings, interpretive welcome signage and mosaic, it has also been rediscovered by young and old as a pleasant public space in which to play, meet people and just enjoy.
This has also been a year which has seen the local community come together with the the single objective of preserving Edgar's Field as a distinct public asset for the enjoyment of everyone free from any commercial encroachment or exploitation.
In recognition of the successes achieved this year the 2010 Civic Awards for Design and Conservation awarded Edgar's Field Park a Commendation in the Community, Play Landscape and Interpretation category.
This has also been a year which has seen the local community come together with the the single objective of preserving Edgar's Field as a distinct public asset for the enjoyment of everyone free from any commercial encroachment or exploitation.
In recognition of the successes achieved this year the 2010 Civic Awards for Design and Conservation awarded Edgar's Field Park a Commendation in the Community, Play Landscape and Interpretation category.