Brinton Park lottery joy as £2.4m restoration to go ahead

The restoration of Kidderminster’s historic landmark Brinton Park is to go ahead, thanks to a National Lottery grant of more than £2.4 million.

Wyre Forest District Council has secured £2,410,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund to fund an exciting raft of major improvements including a new cafe, an extension to the Sons of Rest Pavilion and the re-instatement of an historic ornamental pool.

Supported through The National Lottery, the project aims to breathe new life into the Victorian park – which was gifted to the town by the famous Brinton carpet manufacturing company.

Brinton Park was put forward because of its unique history and heritage and within Wyre Forest provided the best fit for the stringent funding criteria required by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The restoration will help reinstate the 130-year-old park’s original Victorian landscape design, as well as creating a new community meeting space, installing new public art features and improving the park’s entrances and car parking.

Wyre Forest District Council contributed £200,000 towards the project’s early stages which has involved partners from local groups based in the park; 21^st WF (Brinton Park) Scouts, Emily Jordan Foundation and The Pickup Artists.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund had already awarded a development grant of £217,700 to help the pull the restoration plan together.

Councillor Helen Dyke, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Community Protection said: “We are absolutely delighted that our application has been successful and we have been able to secure such a substantial investment into the district.

“The events of this year have helped remind us all just how important our public open spaces are to our mental and physical wellbeing.

“This scheme will build on and preserve the history and heritage of Brinton Park as well as develop new opportunities and facilities that will make sure that local people can enjoy for many more years to come.

“We are grateful to receive the grant and I am in no doubt that the incredibly strong community partnership that has come together to develop and steer this project, will successfully deliver an outstanding public space that local people can enjoy and take pride in.

“I’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone for working so hard on making this exciting project a reality.”

Anne Jenkins, Director, Midlands and East, National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are delighted to support this valuable project, which will help to ensure that this largely unspoilt Victorian landscape, wildlife corridor and community hub at the heart of Kidderminster will be cherished by many generations to come.

"Parks are increasingly taking on new life as social and cultural green spaces, and are particularly valuable during these difficult times. We look forward to seeing Brinton Park flourish in the years ahead.”

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