Historic park wins funding

Plans to bring back Wigan’s historic Mesnes Park to its former glory were given a massive boost thanks to a £1.8 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund. Funding from other sources such as Wigan Council, Wigan Leisure and Cultural Trust, and Fredericks Ice Cream will bring the total investment to £3.4 million.

Restoration plans include restoration of the bandstand, pavilion, pathways, and the appointment of a park ranger. Work is expected to start in spring 2008. A bid for further funding will be submitted next year that could bring total investment in the park to £6 million.

Chair of the Friends of Mesnes Park Sue Turner said, ‘This is a great day for Mesnes Park and for the Wigan Borough as a whole. It has been a long process to get where we are today I would like to offer my thanks and congratulations to all the staff at Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust who have worked day and night to achieve this goal. This funding will secure Mesnes Park as a true People’s Park for the 21st Century.’