By Rachel Cole, Projects Officer
A few weeks ago, Rotherfed received an email from Friends of Rosehill Park saying they thought it was the right time to close the group. Rachel followed up with Nikki Slasor who runs the group and they have decided to keep the group running and asked for help with a community event in the park. The local elected members, Cllr Jill Thompson and Cllr Bob Bird had been to see Nikki and had agreed to fund some activities for the children at the event, making it a free event. The main purpose of the event was to try and find out what people would like to see happen in the park i.e., regular activities and what changes they would like to see.
The event took place on Sunday 22 August at Rosehill Park from 11.30am until 3.30pm and I went along and supported this event. Using their budget, the Councillors paid for a penalty shoot-out, sand art, miniature train ride, crazy golf and an ice cream for every child. The group also did a tombola, a wine and water stall and a raffle. Rotherfed purchased the water and the bottle bags for the wine and water stall. There was also an Olympic Trail around the park organised by Yorkshire Sport and the Rawmarsh Runners.
It was a very successful event with over 200 people attending. The Councillors spent the day supporting the event along with other RMBC staff. The group raised over £280 from the tombola, raffle and wine and water and Nikki said this was the most they had ever raised at an event, so they were really happy with that. Residents said how much they had enjoyed the day and thought the activities put on for the children were great. It was great to see so many people in the park having a lovely afternoon. All in all, it was a very successful and well attended event.
I will meet with Nikki, Julie (RMBC) and Cllr Thompson in a couple of weeks to look at the suggestions for the park filled in by the community and discuss future events and moving forward with the group to help and support them where possible. It is so nice that the group have decided to continue, which will benefit the park and the local community.
