Archive - Wednesday, 16 October 2002


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Ryedale park plan gets kick-start cash boost

A COMMUNITY park with woodland walks and open spaces is in the pipeline for two Ryedale towns thanks to a cash boost from the Government.

Volunteers from Derwent Riverside Project have been working on the idea of a green space for the people of Malton and Norton to be created at the heart of the twin towns.

Now a £2,200 "kick start" from the Countryside Agency will enable them to commission a conservation study on the plot of land, behind Castlegate, in Malton.

A Channel Four Time Team programme filmed six years ago focused on this site, which is seen as the historic heart of Malton.

The Castle Garden project has support from a wide range of people, including residents, town and district councillors, and the Market Towns Initiative.

Volunteer Di Keal said: "It's actually quite a big area of land.

"It hides the remains of a castle, a Roman fort and a Jacobean mansion hidden beneath the ground and because of that we can't disturb what's underneath.

"We are looking for a fairly natural parkland with some seats in, or maybe some modern, lively heritage boards.

"In the centre there are a lot of older, veteran trees, and next to them there's an open area which we would like to use for events.

"We could have things like concerts and theatre - events which would keep the funds coming in.

"Because it's quite a large space there's lots of possibilities."

As part of the conservation study, a large consultation exercise will take place asking people in the community what they would like to see.

Project chairwoman Judith Orrell said: "We stumbled across the land behind Castlegate and felt it would make an ideal community park - something that is sadly lacking in the towns at the moment.

"Ryedale District Council has been very supportive and agreed to lease the land to us once we have charitable status, which we are currently seeking as well as looking for more grant aid to move the project forward."

Dawn Shelford, from the Countryside Agency, said the money had been awarded as part of the Doorstep Greens scheme.

"It is all about community-led projects, getting a lot of people involved and getting in touch with as many people as possible to find out what they would like to see," she said.

Once the study was complete, the Derwent Riverside Group would be encouraged to apply for the second stage of Countryside Agency money, she said, which could be up to £50,000.

Updated: 08:55 Wednesday, October 16, 2002