Warwickshire News Mine

Building Sustainable Neighbourhoods, part of Warwickshire County Council, has secured funding to create the Heritage Trail in Whittleford Park and the call is going out to local people to have a say in how the trail is developed.

In a bid to get as many people as possible involved in the creation of the Heritage Trail, a number of events are taking place this weekend.

There are drop in sessions between 11am and 3pm at Stockingford Community Centre on Saturday, 16th February, and Camp Hill Family Community Care Centre, on Sunday, 17th February.

In addition to this there will be guided walks at 1.30pm each day, where visitors will be able to join a park officer from Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council and Friend of Whittleford Park member, to see the site, ask questions and provide feedback.

Cllr Chris Saint, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, said: “We would particularly like to hear from anyone with any memories, stories or photographs of the Haunchwood Brick and Tile Works.

“The Heritage Trail consultants Carol Parr and Allan Randall have done a great job in researching the site so far, but we know there is much more out there and we welcome comments from all of the community on the plans.

“The community feedback will have a direct influence on the design of the trail and the interpretation points and waymarkers around the heritage trail at Whittleford Park. Stories and images gathered may be placed on the Whittleford Park web pages. Providing a community resource about the historical legacy of the park.”

The aim of the project is to create an accessible trail around Whittleford Park, Nuneaton, which takes in the places of historical interest and provides people with the opportunity to learn more about the history of the site.

The park is a 43 hectare green open space, owned and managed by the borough council, with a variety of landscapes contained within the area, as well as balancing lakes. On one side it is flanked by Queen Elizabeth Road, Camp Hill, and another by Haunchwood Road, Stockingford. The site was once home to the Haunchwood Brick and Tile Works although today there is very little visible evidence of the works.

A successful funding bit to the Heritage Lottery Fund by Building Sustainable Neighbourhoods, Warwickshire County Council and Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council has enabled the project to go ahead and acknowledge the industrial heritage of the site.

Link to WCC