Bee Notice

19 June 2025

The Council have posted a new notice in the picnic area of the park.  

The Friends group were unaware of this initive and not consulted on the proposal.

Alleady we have several negative comments regarding the chosen location and concerns over dog fouling, netttes and brambles where young persons are playing.

This will be discussed at our next meeting on Monday 30th June 2025

If you wish to comment please send via "contact us"

23rd July 2025

Meeting with HBC in the park.

In attendance:
Cllr Stewart Eaves, Fraser Beesley Monteath (HBC), Mark Pickup (HBC), Ian Wilkinson (Chair FoMP), Peter West (Treasurer FoMP). Invited FoMP Committee and “Weeders” representatives.

Background

Ian thanked everyone for attending.   The friend’s group had requested the meeting to discuss issues raised at its recent public meeting in June.   All agreed that the park in general, and the flower beds in particular, looked magnificent thanks to the joint working and co-operation between volunteers and the parks ground staff.

As part of a recent Heritage bid, a new picnic area had been created in the park.  During the recent months it had become apparent that this area had been allowed to be included as an additional area of “wilding”within the park and now contained brambles, nettles, long grass, dog excrement and self-seeded trees. It was suggested that this policy change was not conducive to a “picnic area” and could present health and safety issues for young children and families.

All agreed the Memorial Park was set in a rural environment when compared to some other parks.  Ian produced a map of the park which clearly demonstrated that several areas of “wilding” and woodland already existed and questioned the need for another.  One member felt the council were trying to create an experience for park users which already existed naturally in the countryside surrounding the park and within the park itself.  Others felt the council were just simply saving manpower and money by not maintaining the area during the summer months.  All agreed that bees, butterflies and other insects were more likely to be attracted to the parks flower beds than the “wilding” areas being created.  Following concerns that the area would become another woodland like snowdrop corner, HBC confirmed that they had no plans for the self-seeded trees.  FoMP members agreed to transfer them to the Round Wood during the dormant season.

As part of the PSPO review in 2024, the friend’s group were pleased that some of the restrictions requiring dogs to be on leads on the playing field had been relaxed.
Unfortunately, as a result of the 2021 PSPO recommendations, dog owners were still encouraged to exercise dogs off leads in the park. Joan Wilkinson commented  that a previous PSPO had not been conducted correctly and had documentation to back this statement up. This has resulted in increased dog fouling particularly in areas of uncut grass like the picnic area. Volunteers tending the flower displayers are becoming increasing frustrated by damage and fouling caused by irresponsible dog owners. It was felt that FoMP members were working well with council and had given out 33,000 free bags (11 boxes) to dog owners in the last year.  One member commented that although the council consulted on various issues in the borough, it was felt on many occasions they choose,for reasons unknown,to ignore the feedback resulting from any such consultation.  It was noted that some residents have stopped visiting the park since 2021, including grandparents with young children and elderly residents with mobility problems, due to increased H&S issues resulting from dogs not being under control.

Outcomes

The friend’s group are asking the council to consider the following requests:-

1.    Will the council please review the present policy to “green” the new picnic area and allow regular mowing to be resumed during the summer months and any brambles, nettles and dog excrement be removed from the area?

(It was suggested that if the council felt the loss of this wilding area was detrimental to wildlife, they may wish to consider “greening” the grass slopes on the playing field.  This is very labour intensive and the considerable hours  saved could be used to improve the “wilding” area and/or other areas of the park)

2.    The 2024 PSPO review consultation results recorded that 54% of those responding suggested that dogs should be on leads in parks despite the fact that there had been no question about that issue. 

Will the council undertake to include a question in the next 2027 PSPO review requiring dogs to be on leads in Hyndburn parks in response to this consultation feedback?

Ian thanked everyone for attending and reiterated the excellent working relationship between all concerned.  He concluded that the parks overall condition speaks for itself.

30th July 2025 - Councillor S Eaves confirmed he had arranged a meeting the Council Officers to discuss our requests.