Council gets funding to revamp fountains and waterfalls at Telford Town Park

The money from the SUEZ Communities Trust will enable the works to be carried out in the Chelsea and Maxell Cherry Gardens.

The proposed project is to deliver, in partnership with the Friends of Telford Town Park volunteer group (FOTTP), the restoration of two jet fountains (one of which is also lit & musical) in the Chelsea Gardens, and a cascade fountain in the adjacent Maxell Cherry Garden.

The Chelsea Gardens are a series of gardens – including a water garden - that were exhibited at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show between 1976-1979.

The Maxell Cherry Garden is a Japanese garden featuring cherry trees designed around a water cascade and a carp pool. Both gardens are open daily to the public and free to enter.

Councillor Liz Clare, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for Culture, Sports, Parks and Green Spaces, said: “I am delighted that we have received this money to enable us to make some significant improvements to these gardens.

“I am sure that visitors to the park will appreciate the improvements when the work is done and this just demonstrates further investment in our beautiful park.”

Chris Pettman, chairman of the voluntary group Friends of Telford Town Park, said: “This work is something that we have campaigned for over a period of time and I am very pleased that the council has attracted this funding to carry out the work.”

Marianne Ivin, of SUEZ Communities Trust, added: “SUEZ Communities Trust provides grants through the Landfill Communities Fund. This important source of funding has been available since 1997 and has provided such worthy projects with more than £1.4 billion.”

Telford Town Park was voted the best park in the UK last year in the Fields In Trust Awards and also has Keep Britain Tidy Green Flag status.