Despite a few showers – Spring in the Park 2024 was a huge success – with record-breaking stallholders and entertainment arriving at Warminster Lake Pleasure Grounds on Sunday 5th May.
The popular annual event started at 10.30am as visitors enjoyed more than 80 stalls, a packed entertainment schedule, as well as the recently reopened Splash Pad, canoeing on the lake and new play park equipment.
The event was hailed a success with a positive reaction from the Warminster community with plenty of money raised for local charities.
A Warminster Town Council spokesperson said: “Spring in the Park 2024 was a super success, with thousands of visitors enjoying the stalls, activities, and entertainment. It was wonderful to see so many residents come out and support another big event for the town.
“We hope those who came had a memorable day and we would love to see you again next year. We are very proud of the Lake Pleasure Grounds and to put on regular events for the Warminster community.”
Warminster Town Council remains committed to putting on events for Warminster and looking ahead there are several other major events in the Warminster Lake Pleasure Grounds including a Skatepark Jam on Saturday 25th May, Bands in the Bandstand – Saturdays June to August, Inspire Musical Festival on Sunday 7th July and the Park Centenary on Friday 26th July.
New ‘Happy To Chat’ Bench Sign In Warminster Lake Pleasure Grounds.
A replacement sign has been installed on the popular “Happy to Chat’ bench in Warminster Lake Pleasure Grounds.
The “Happy to Chat’ bench has proved a tremendous success since a sign was originally installed on a bench in June 2023, on the left-hand side of the lake. Warminster Engraving has generously donated a new sign after the previous one was vandalised.
The new sign reads: “Sit here if you don’t mind someone stopping to say hello!”
The idea is that anyone who sits on the bench is willing to talk and have a conversation with anyone else who sits down. The concept is a simple and effective way to try and combat potential loneliness and isolation and is widely used across the UK.
Cllr Fraser said: “We are very pleased with the new “Happy to Chat’ sign in Warminster Lake Pleasure Grounds. If you are visiting Warminster soon, sit down and have a nice chat while enjoying our amazing park. We thank Warminster Engraving for donating this second sign.”
For more information contact Tom Dommett, Town Clerk, Warminster Town Council, telephone 01985 214847 or email admin@warminster-tc.gov.uk
Someone, anonymously, has asked, on the Facebook page Spotted In Warminster Town, the following question:
I wonder how much water from the River Were, also known as the Swan River, is diverted via the town park lake on a daily basis. Does anyone know how much water the lake holds?
At their full council meeting on Monday 27th March 2023, Warminster Town Councillors voted to improve toilet provision in the Lake Pleasure Grounds.
Due to the increased use of the Lake Pleasure Grounds, partly due to the popularity of the new splash pad and skate park, members felt that the current toilet provision was inadequate, particularly in the peak summer season. (June to August inclusive). With the new tennis courts and Multi-use Games Area due to come into use soon, councillors felt action was needed now.
Council officers had previously been asked to look into the options and recommended that the council buy portable toilet provision as this was more cost effective than renting toilets over 12 weeks.
Councillors are looking for a long-term solution to the issue and would like to provide new permanent toilets. However, this is a larger project which will take time to complete, so in the meantime, councillors were happy for the temporary toilets to be installed. They will be located next to the Pavilion Café.
Councillor Stacie Allensby, Chair of the Parks and Estate Committee said: “One of the top comments about the existing toilet provision was how far from the play area and splash pad it is especially for young children. These temporary toilets will double the capacity in the park and reduce the time people spending queueing.”
Warminster Town Council have issued the following press release:
Renovation begins on the tennis courts in the Lake Pleasure Grounds, Warminster. Warminster Town Council and the LTA have agreed a partnership to invest in and refurbish the tennis courts at the Lake Pleasure Grounds. The 5 tennis Courts and the MUGA (Multi use games area) will be renovated, with investment of £241,000 helping ensure that quality facilities are available for the local community.
The project will see £241,000 of investment to resurface the courts and the MUGA and to replace the old and worn fencing with a sturdy long-term replacement. The bulk of the money, £127,000, come from the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation, the largest grant the LTA have awarded in this round of funding.
The LTA funding is part of a nationwide investment by the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation, to refurbish public tennis courts across Great Britain, and open up the sport to many more people. Existing park tennis courts in poor or unplayable condition brought back to life for the benefit of communities across the country through renovation works, and improved court accessibility with new gate-access technology and booking systems.
£114,000 will also be invested by Warminster Town Council, funded from Section 106 developer contributions and earmarked capital reserves. This will largely fund the MUGA refurbishment (the Football and Basketball area) and the new fencing.
Once the 5 Courts at the Lake Pleasure Grounds have being renovated an online booking and access control system will be introduced. The online booking will be found via the LTA website www.lta.org.uk/play and via Warminster Town Council dedicated booking platform or on an app. This will make it far easier to find and book a court at the Lake Pleasure Grounds.
The introduction of charging will allow the courts to be maintained to a high standard and refurbished in the future. As well as pay to play, money saving season tickets and special schemes will be available. Tennis coaching is being organised. The MUGA will remain free to use.
The renovation of the Tennis Courts has been an objective of the town council since they took on ownership of the Lake Pleasure Grounds in 2016. Together the investment in the skatepark, the splashpad and the pavilion café, it is another step in revitalizing the Park fit for the 2020’s.
Work on the site started Tuesday 15 th March and is expected to be completed atthe start of May when the courts will be reopened.
The new Volcanic Trim Trail in the Lake Pleasure Grounds (Town Park), Warminster is now open.
Completed just in time for the school holidays, the new trail is aimed at the age range 12 and under. The idea is that children can set out from the start of the trail and try to complete all the obstacles without touching the lava. There is a trampoline at the end of the trail which is a great way to celebrate completing all the tasks and obstacles on the way round.
This is an extremely exciting design that will allow children to imagine all sorts of adventures.
The new trail is situated near the skatepark and along from the outdoor gym.
Warminster Town Council has agreed to replace the trim trail in the Lake Pleasure Grounds with a new lava adventure themed trail.
The new trail is an eye-catching design based on the idea of a lava trail. The play equipment is set out in a trail, and the safety surface is coloured so children can pretend it is lava. This encourages children to progress all the way along it without touching the ground. They can set their own level of challenge.
Councillor Sue Fraser, Chairman of the Parks and Estates Committee, said; “I think this will be a super addition to the town park, it has a range of versatile play features that will appeal to a wide age range. It will encourage children to use their imagination – be it explorers on a volcano, astronauts or an Indiana Jones type adventure.”
“I am delighted to see the Town Council increasing the play and social play opportunities for children. This increases the level of challenge associated with the trail, The design has almost 30 new play elements and over 40 play values.”
Amongst the features in the new trim trail will be a balance tube, stepping posts, a crawl tunnel, a wobble bridge, a climbing wall, parallel bars, a slalom and a balance beam.
The paddling pool in the Lake Pleasure Grounds (Town Park), in Warminster, will be closed for three days to allow essential maintenance to take place. The pool will be shut on the 5th, 6th and 7th of August 2019.
Warminster Town Councillor Sue Fraser, Chairman of the Devolved Services and Assets Committee, said: “The paddling pool has entertained and delighted generations of Warminster residents and visitors from far and wide. However, it was constructed in 1947 and is 72 years old and coming to the end of its life span. I know some people will be disappointed that the pool won’t be open for a few days, but we want to keep the pool open throughout the summer and that means that occasionally we will have to close it to make repairs. For the few days the pool is closed, there are lots of other activities in the park for people to enjoy, for example: boats on the lake, tennis courts, play area, trim trail, putting green, tree trail and the multi-use games area. People can enjoy a cool drink, ice cream, or snack in the café, or just take a quiet stroll and enjoy the many beautiful flowers and views.”
Sue Fraser added: “Warminster Town Council has agreed to look at the possibility of building a new paddling pool for next year and has already appointed a project manager to investigate the options.”
The Lake Pleasure Grounds (Town Park) in Warminster has been recognised by the Green Flag Award Scheme as one of the very best in the UK.
Warminster’s Lake Pleasure Grounds was given the prestigious Green Flag Award on 16th July 2019. The Town Council marked the recognition by hoisting the green flag on the flag pole by the Pavilion Café in the Lake Pleasure Grounds.
This international award, now into its third decade, is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities. Warminster Town Councillor Sue Fraser said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive a Green Flag Award for the third year in a row. It is independent confirmation that we have a high-quality park. We know how much quality green spaces matter to residents and visitors, and this award celebrates the dedication that goes into maintaining the Lake Pleasure Grounds to such a high standard.”
Sue who is Chairman of the Council Committee responsible for running the Lake Pleasure Grounds continued: “Our Park is the envy of the area. We have a boating lake, café, paddling pool, tennis courts, play area, trim trail, putting green, a wildflower area, a tree trail, the Elizabeth Collyns Garden, multi-use games area, flower beds planted by local schools and a wealth of wildlife. In addition, an adult outdoor gym is being planned and work is underway on the new skate park. The Lake Pleasure Grounds hosts an array of events such as Spring in the Park, the Warminster Wobble cycling festival, the Inspire Music Festival, the Carnival Fun Day and the Minster Church Fête. There are also many regular users such as the model boat club and Fit To Perform. All this community involvement puts the park at the heart of our town.”
Prior to hoisting the flag, Sue thanked everyone who plays their part looking after the Town Park including those who look after the wildlife. She said: “The Green flag honours the staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award. I congratulate each and everyone of them on their fantastic achievement.”
Assistant Town Clerk, Tom Dommett, thinks only three parks in Wiltshire have won the Green Flag Award. They are the Lake Pleasure Grounds Warminster, John Coles Park Chippenham and Hillworth Park, Devizes.
Photographs taken by Danny Howell on Thursday 18th July 2019:
Left to right: Stuart Legg (Parks And Open Spaces Manager), Cllr. Rob Fryer (Vice Chairman Devolved Services Committee), Rob Fear (Groundsman) and Cllr. Sue Fraser (Chairman Devolved Services Committee).
Left to right: Stuart Legg, Cllr. Rob Fryer, Cllr. Pip Ridout, Cllr. Tony Nicklin, Rob Fear, Cllr. Andrew Davis, Cllr. Sue Fraser and Cllr. George Jolley.
Front row, left to right: Tom Dommett (Assistant Town Clerk), Stuart Legg, Cllr. Rob Fryer, Rob Fear, Cllr. Sue Fraser and Cllr. George Jolley. Back row: Peter Hewitt (volunteer), Harriet James (author of the Tree Trail), Andy Martin (Model Boat Club), Cllr. Tony Nicklin, Cllr. Tony Jackson and Cllr. Andrew Davis.
Stuart Legg prepares the flag for hoisting.
Councillor Sue Fraser thanks everyone who looks after the Town Park.
Councillor Sue Fraser hoists the Green Flag.
Looking on.
Stuart Legg ties the flag.
The Green Flag flying at the top of the pole next to the Pavilion Cafe.
Warminster Town Council Seeks The Public’s Views For The Future Use Of The Putting Green In The Lake Pleasure Grounds (Town Park)
Warminster Town Councillors are asking the public to give them their views on the future use of the putting green area in the Lake Pleasure Grounds (Town Park).
At a recent meeting of the Devolved Services and Assets Committee, Councillors unanimously agreed that the council would review the future of the putting green area in conjunction with other facilities such as picnic areas, boules and planting, and in due course come forward with a proposal to enhance the area.
Councillors want the public to come forward with their ideas and suggestions as to the future use of the area currently known as the putting green. They are particularly keen for anyone with a leaning towards landscape gardening to come forward for discussions.
Councillors also agreed, that in the meantime, that the bin blocking the gate into the putting green be relocated and that two picnic benches and three other benches would be purchased and located just inside the gate.
