Breathing new life into Wickersley gem

A packed day of events helped Wickersley Parish Council officially open Winthrop Park on Second Lane in Wickersley, on Saturday.

The council bought the park from the charity Second Nature Life Support and has renovated the gardens, its cafe, shop and meeting rooms.

Cllr Sue Ellis, parish council chairwoman, said: “We bought the park at a very reasonable price at the end of February.

“We called for volunteers to run it and help with the revamp and we had a fabulous response.

“We had gardeners and cleaners who did more than 300 hours before we opened to get it looking spick and span.

“We are delighted with how it looks and we’ve had lots of positive comments from people saying it’s nice to have it back to how it was.”

Wentworth and Dearne MP John Healey came back to do the official opening — 11 years after he first opened the facility.

There was also a baking competition as well as live music and arts displays.

Cllr Ellis said: “The opening was a lovely day and the whole community seemed to be pleased we had it back open.

“The park originally had a sensory garden and we want to reflect that by welcoming people with any form of disability.”

The park is now open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 11am until 3pm.

Cllr Ellis said: “It’s only a small garden but we are really thrilled and delighted that we have been able to breathe new life into it. It’s a little gem in Wickersley.”