The Friends of Vale Park started in 1889. It is a voluntary organisation with a Vision statement, a Constitution, an AGM, independently audited accounts, risk assessments, public liability insurance plus health & safety, child protection and vulnerable adults policies. We send out regular printed newsletters to our members and we also have a Facebook page. At our monthly committee meetings we liaise with other stakeholders such as Council personnel, the Vale House Board, Community Police Officers, charity and project organisers to discuss future plans or strategies. We hold regular member's social meetings.
The main focus of our activity is to arrange events in the fenced off Bandstand area. On Sundays throughout the summer months we provide a varied Band Festival. On weekdays throughout the school holidays we have Joytime the children's talent show, which has been going since 1953. On Saturdays we have events hosted by local charities such as Pirates for Ellie, Charlottefest, Praise in the Park and also have local pop and rock band performances. On Halloween we have a disco for young families with prizes for the best fancy dress (run by the Joytime presenter). In December we have a Carol Concert by the Salvation Army or local choral societies. These activities are paid for by subscriptions, donations, raffles, collections and sponsorship.
We have an enthusiastic volunteer group of younger people helping around the park with litter picking, leaf sweeping etc. There is also a "wild life" sub=group with ideas for preserving the natural flora and fauna in the park by involving young children in activities. Several years ago the Friends paid for a comprehensive Tree Survey, which helped to inform the Council's environmental plans. There is an affiliate group, Options for Supported Living, who has re-stocked the Rose Garden and will undertake its long-term maintenance.
We have Heritage Open Days activities generally in the form of a history walk around the Magazine Conservation area in which the Park is situated. Some of our other activities are linked with notable people from the past such as the author Elizabeth Gaskell, the teacher of Garibaldi's sons Dr Poggi, suffragist and social work pioneer Edith Eskrigge and even Old Mother Redcap.
The Friends keep the general public informed via the park notice boards and we will shortly have our own website up and running.
