 Pocket Parks are areas managed by volunteers for the benefit of the environment and for people to enjoy.
Broughton’s Pocket Park is an area of l.4 acres, which originally belonged to Broughton Rectory and is known as Parson’s Spinney. It contains a diversity of beautiful mature trees and a large pond, once the fish pond for the Rector and his family.
A local management group was set up in 1992, following several public meetings, from local volunteers who shared a care for the environment. At that time the spinney had been neglected for many years, with a seriously overgrown under-storey and the pond silted up and full of rubbish. The volunteers turned it into a delightful place. The pond, after years of dredging, was clean and full of freshwater life and a wide variety of birds and mammals were able to use and enjoy the area. It was a lovely place for people too. Following high rainfall in 2000, the spinney pond was at its best.
Unfortunately due to people moving away from the village and other commitments, the volunteer group dwindled and eventually work at the spinney stopped altogether. The spinney suffered from neglect and became overgrown and the pond slowly silted up again.
In 2010 the Parish Council was called upon to commission some necessary remedial work to fell some potentially hazardous trees. It was the first time the spinney had received any attention for some years but it triggered the formation of another group of volunteers who set about the task of renovating the park again.
They cleared the paths of overgrowth, planted bluebells and some glades were cleared ready for re-planting. Recent visitors to the park will also have noticed a brand new oak sign at the entrance.
If you’re interested in volunteering to help out at the Park , whatever time you can give (no matter how small or often it is) please contact any Parish Councillor or the Clerk to the Parish Council (their contact details can be found by clicking “Broughton Parish Council” on the menu on the left and then following the “Meet Your Council Members” link).
You can also contact Rebecca on: Telephone: 01536
799339 Email: broughtonpocketpark@hotmail.co.uk
To check for the latest activity at the park you can also read the park’s blog at
Broughton_Pocket_Park
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