Bricklaying apprentices help out in park transformation project (From York Press)

Bricklaying apprentices help out in Back Park transformation project

8:04am Wednesday 20th July 2011 in News By Kate Liptrot, kate.liptrot@thepress.co.uk

York College apprentices at work on the wall in Back Park; from left, Sam Watkin, Sam Atton, Keiran Polkey, Josh Golton, Joe Weldrick, Nick Cage, Jo Parnaby, Stephen Coles and tutor Harpal Sambhi

A PROJECT to improve a community park has been given a helping hand by a team of apprentices from York College.

As part of the ongoing project to transform Back Park in Leeman Road, bricklaying apprentices from York College are helping to repair and rebuild a Victorian wall at the site.

The apprentices became involved in the project after the Friends of Back Park Committee approached the college to see if students could help out.

Iain Simpson-Laing, chairman of the Friends, said: “I would like to thank all involved; the ward councillors for funding the work through the ward committee, John the landlord of The Jubilee for allowing the use of the pub’s yard for water and electricity and the use of facilities and the students from the college for the fantastic work to improve a much used area”.

The work is the next step in a lengthy process to improve the popular and well-used park.

In 2007, Back Park was blighted by litter, graffiti and antisocial behaviour, and had been earmarked for housing development.

The Friends of Back Park steering group was set up and petitioned to save the park, which was bequeathed to the city by the Rowntree family for recreational purposes. Government funding of £47,000 has paid for new play equipment and after the wall is completed, the committee hopes to put new plants and garden furniture on the park.