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Lord Lieutenant launches
historic park project
An appeal for donations of tools and a mini tractor
was issued today at the official
launch of a project to restore and open up for the public
an eighteenth century
landscaped park on the outskirts of Norwich.
Richard Jewson, Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk,
joined other invited
guests to see the first stages of work underway to
renovate Catton Park which lies
two miles to the north of Norwich. The launch
included a demonstration of
terra-venting - a method of de-compacting the roots of
ancient trees that have
been under stress from years of intensive agriculture.
A Heritage Lottery Fund grant and money from DEFRA, local
councils and private
individuals has enables the Catton Park Trust to lease
the Park from the Buxton
family and Norfolk County Council, engage environmental
consultants and plan
to employ a full time park warden to oversee the
restoration work.
But now the Trust is asking local companies and residents
to help the restoration
project by donating heavy duty land management tools and
a mini tractor.
"Catton Park is a fantastic open space which is already
being used by the local
community. But we want to make the Park more
enjoyable by opening up walks
through the woodland, cutting grass pathways through the
wild flower meadow
and creating a picnic space and dog free area - all of
which will require a lot
of physical work and some heavy duty tools" explained
David Thompson, the
Chairman of the Trust.
Plans for the 28 hectare site include returning arable
land to wild flower meadow
grassland, restoring the natural wood boundaries,
creating nature trails and a
picnic area. Local schools will be encouraged to
use the Park for outdoor learning
supported by information leaflets on the Park's history
and habitat.
-ends-
For further information and interviews please contact Mr
Ken Leggett on 01603 408823
or email
ken.leggett@btinternet.com
Images of Catton Park can be viewed at
www.oldcatton.com and
www.cattonpark.com
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