FRIENDS UPDATE
CAFE DAYS
We will not be having a Cafe Day for the foreseeable future. It will be almost impossible to ensure compliance with government safety restrictions in the Visitors Centre so until these are relaxed we cannot hold a Cafe Day. It appears likely this will be the situation for most of the rest of this year!
VOLUNTARY RANGERS WORKING DAYS
Although our activities have been restricted in the past months, the Park is still open and so we have started holding the monthly working days for the team of Voluntary Rangers. Our aim is to help John Jackson, the Park Ranger, to keep the Park neat and tidy. We will also be carrying out various tasks to improve the environment of the Park and we have installed a new flower planter in the car park using sculptured blocks created by pupils from Aston Academy for the Arts Festival last year.
The Voluntary Rangers had a busy morning clearing the overgrown area at the entrance to the Park with the aim of creating a wild flower area in the future. The area was full of nettles and gave a poor first impression for visitors. This is the kind of task we hope to carry out more during the summer and will welcome anyone interested in joining the team, send us an e-mail if you would like to get involved!
These are difficult times but the Friends Committee hope that the Park will continue to provide a peaceful and special environment for visitors to enjoy as a break from the pandemic situation.
WHO ARE THE FRIENDS OF ULLEY COUNTRY PARK?
The Friends of Ulley Country Park is a voluntary organisation working in partnership with Rotherham Council, the owners of the Park, to protect and enhance the natural environment in the Park.
Membership of the Friends group is open to everyone and is now well over 300. We have provided significant financial support to the Rangers team at Ulley since the group was founded in 2006 and continue to work positively towards ensuring the facilities in the Park are improved and maintained for the enjoyment of all visitors.
The elected Committee meets monthly at the Visitors Centre, with the Park Manager and representatives from the local Parish Councils, to discuss the Friends activities and proposals for projects to be implemented in the Park. As a voluntary group, the Friends have successfully applied for grant funding to enable additional resources for various projects in the Park.
The Friends usually hold a monthly Café Day in the Visitors Centre, generally on the third Sunday of the month, to encourage visitors to the Park and raise vital funds for carrying out improvements in the Park. These have been cancelled during the pandemic
Two newsletters are also usually circulated to members each year, in Spring and Autumn, giving details of the Friends activities and projects being implemented in the Park
The work of the Friends group has been recognised by receipt of the Duke of York’s Community Initiative Award in 2017
The Aims of the Friends group are set out in the constitution as follows:-
- To protect and enhance the Park, its amenities and its heritage
- To work in partnership with Rotherham Borough Council
- To promote further development through grant funding and volunteering
How to join
Annual membership of the Friends group is only £4 and new members receive a copy of “The Story of Ulley Country Park” written by Russ Howes. If you would like to join either:-
- e-mail friendsofulleycountrypark@gmail.com
- contact the Secretary, Paul Nash on 01709 370797
- pick up a membership leaflet at the visitors centre on a Café Day
Members receive two newsletters a year.
PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION 2020 – Increased prize money!
We are holding the photographic competition again this year for the Best Ulley Photograph of 2020.
Entries can be submitted by e-mail to friendsofulleycountrypark@gmail.com
Prizes for the best 3 photographs voted at the AGM in November from a shortlist drawn up by the Committee. Prize money has increased this year!
1st prize £40 2nd prize £20 3rd prize £15
Conditions
- All photographs should be taken in the Park during 2020 and have no words or enhancements added.
- A maximum of 5 photographs may be submitted per person.
- Photographs submitted may be used by the Friends for publicity and fund raising purposes.
- Closing Date for entries 31st October 2020
CONTACT US
For any queries, e-mail us at friendsofulleycountrypark@gmail.com or
phone our Secretary, Paul Nash on 01709 370797.
To contact the Park Rangers, phone 01709 850353.
To contact Ulley Sailing Club visit their website www.ulleysailingclub.co.uk
HOW TO FIND THE PARK
Ulley Country Park is on the A618 Pleasley Road between Aughton and Whiston. Post Code is S26 3XL
