Our Projects in Marple Memorial Park
The Friends of Marple Memorial Park have had amazing success with their projects in the park, thanks largely to the great support from local people, other voluntary organisations and the Marple business community. You can read more about these successes here.
BBC Breathing Places Reading Circle
In 2007 the Friends successfully applied for a grant of £6,460 from the Big Lottery Fund as part of the hugely successful BBC-led Breathing Places campaign. The campaign, driven by BBC's Autumnwatch and Springwatch programmes, had enthused and energised thousands across the country to get involved in community projects to make space for nature.
Our project was developed in partnership with Stockport Library Services and the Council's Parks and Recreation Team to improve and enhance the woodland area behind the Marple Library for both wildlife and people. The incorporation of a circular reading area with full disabled access penetrating into the woodland created an outdoor 'room' to provide a window into the natural wildlife habitat surrounding it.
"Midnight the Owl" Tree Sculpture
Sadly the Tree Sculpture had to be removed in 2019 due to decay but here's the story of its creation
We hope to use it as inspiration for a new project when the world gets back to normal
In December 2006 the Friends were keen to develop a positive outcome after the demise of a large Copper Beech tree and arranged for sculptor Andrew Frost to provide them with a design using a nature and knowledge theme featuring animals and books. Local schools were consulted and children submitted ideas for the design and chose a name for the central owl character.
Over £3,000 worth of funding was raised, allowing Andrew to begin work at the Marple Locks Festival in July 2007. The main sculpture was completed later that summer and the ground sculptures soon after. Installation was delayed until the summer of 2008, when a joint launch with the Breathing Places Reading Circle behind the library was held in September 2008.
"Coronation Bench" for Queen's commemorative oak
In August 2005 the Friends learned that the oak tree next to the main path running through the park was planted as part of the Queen's Coronation celebrations in 1953. A plaque was fitted at the time but at some point during the intervening years this was lost.
Initially it was proposed to simply replace the missing plaque with a new one but the idea gradually developed into something more. Now it is possible sit and take in the tranquillity of a game of bowls, the bustle and activity of the skate park, the beauty of the ornamental trees and flowerbeds, the War Memorial and, on a clear day, the magnificent views of the distant hills, all from the comfort of our "Coronation Bench".