Entrance to Ransom's Recreation Ground is Smartened Up
| Published: 27th November 2008 16:13 |
Visitors to Ransom's Recreation Ground in Hitchin should notice quite an improvement in future if they walk through the main entrance in Nightingale Road. The pillars have been jet-washed and smartened up while new name plaques and lanterns have been installed.
From left to right: Susan Dye, Wendy Bowker and
Michael Ransom
The work is part of a larger plan to restore the entrance to its former glory complete with railings to replace the original set which were removed in the last war. The entrance also featured gates and lanterns when it was opened on pasture land donated to the people of Hitchin in 1929 by the Ransom family.
North Hertfordshire District Council had hoped to restore the entrance with grants from WREN and won support from the Triangle History Group and the Triangle Residents Association, which cover that area. Unfortunately WREN turned the bid down but NHDC decided to go ahead with initial improvement work while investigating whether funding for new railings would be available through Awards For All.
Last week the new-look entrance received an official visit from Michael Ransom, whose family gave the park to the town, and residents Susan Dye and Wendy Bowker (pictured).
"Even though the total scheme can't go ahead yet, we have been able to smarten up the entrance of this much-loved park considerably," said Cllr Lynda Needham, NHDC Portfolio Holder for the Environment. "We do hope that the application to Awards For All will be successful and we can complete the refurbishment later. NHDC is committed to boosting our town centres."
Did You Know?
1. There's a car park next to the petrol station on Nightingale Road.
2. Ransom's Rec also has an entrance off Grove Road opposite Periwinkle Lane.
3. There's a good play area and a great area for riding bikes or scooters.
4. The northeast corner of the recreation ground is home to the Triangle Community Garden.
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