Warwickshire News Mine

Two classes of children from Nethersole Primary School in Polesworth will visit Pooley Country Park & Heritage Centre on Tuesday, March 21, and there will be a couple of treats in store.

Not only will they be taking part in a fun session of Environmental Education at the park but, when that’s finished, they will be able to play in the exciting new play area that is to be officially opened at midday.

The new play area and fencing, which cost £60,000, has been funded through a number of initiatives; Landfill Tax Credits administered by WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental) provided £23,452, a further £12,000 came from Advantage West Midlands’ Market Towns Initiative (administered by North Warwickshire Borough Council), £7,000 was provided by the Countryside Agency with the remainder being funded by Warwickshire County Council.

County Councillor Martin Heatley, the Portfolio Holder for Environment, who will be cutting the ribbon at the opening ceremony, said: “It’s partnerships like this one that enable the county council to provide stunning new facilities such as this wonderful Play Area for visitors to our country parks.

``We are very grateful for the support of these other agencies and hope that we can continue to work together to provide further facilities, which will encourage the residents of Warwickshire to take trips into the countryside where they can not only explore the area but can also enjoy some valuable healthy exercise.

“It is very important that we encourage children into the countryside at an early age so that they can learn its importance to us all.  I hope that this new Play Area will help to do just that.”

The Play Area is not the only development to be taking place at Pooley Country Park; a new, external toilet block is to be installed later this month – again with funding from the Market Towns Initiative (£12,000), with the remainder coming from Warwickshire County Council (£22,000).

Canalside moorings alongside the Heritage Centre are also being installed – thanks to the same funders and British Waterways.  It is hoped that by installing these new facilities more visitors - as well as more school children on Environmental Education visits - will be tempted out to this relatively new country park to explore all the delights it has to offer.

As with all other country parks in Warwickshire, Pooley features in the twice-yearly seasonal events programme and staff will, between April and September, be running a number of walks and activities, including the popular Miners’ Walk, Dragonfly Walk, Falconry Displays and craft activities for children.  For further information, and for a free programme of events, telephone 01827 872660, email parks@warwickshire.gov.uk, or visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/countryside

Link to WCC