POLISHED PARK IS OPEN TO EVERYONE

The completion of Newark’s historic Sconce and Devon Park was officially unveiled this week when the Chairman of the Council, Cllr Tom Bickley, marked the completion of the £1.6m regeneration scheme.

It is hoped the project will help the town to capitalise on the tourism potential of the Queen’s Sconce, a 17th century Civil War earthwork fortification, by providing top-class facilities for visitors and locals alike.

The Scheduled Ancient Monument is one of the country's finest remaining earthworks from the English Civil War (1642-51). It is distinctively star-shaped when viewed from the air and is one of nine siege works remaining in a recognisable state in and around Newark. It’s considered an internationally important heritage feature, and is surrounded by open space and playing fields.

Newark and Sherwood District Council successfully applied to the Heritage Lottery Fund/Big Lottery Fund (HLF/BLF) under the Parks for People initiative for a £1.13m grant. The district council, Nottinghamshire County Council, WREN, The Veolia Environmental Trust, the Alliance Sub-regional Strategic Partnership, and the Friends of Sconce and Devon Park have also contributed funding to the project.

The grants from WREN and The Veolia Environmental Trust, totalling £70,000, were awarded through the Landfill Communities Fund.

Work began in August 2009 on phase one of the project - the rangers’ office, toilets, cafe and play area. Phase two consisted of resurfacing the footpaths and installing new signs guiding visitors around the park to explain its history and ecology. Phase three saw the new bridge for pedestrian access to the Sconce installed. Phases four and five included the planting and landscaping stage.

The project, which has been overseen by Newark architects and project managers, MHI, also includes educational, training, volunteering and employment opportunities, and a visitor information area. The cafe is run by Rumbles Catering Project, which provides education and training for people with learning difficulties.

The council’s parks and amenities manager, Phil Beard, said: “There’s no denying that this project has helped to enhance the appearance and accessibility of the park, encourage and involve more users, and helped to conserve and improve the Queen’s Sconce.”

The council’s cabinet member for clean and green, Nora Armstrong, said: “What we have now at Sconce and Devon Park is an amazing resource and the work that has gone into it has improved it beyond measure.

“I hope the people of Newark and Sherwood take pride in their fantastic new park and make good use of, keeping it looking as great as it is now for years to come.”