A RUDHEATH community stalwart is calling for local residents to join forces to re-establish the Friends of Griffiths Park group.

Olwyn Dean is asking for volunteers to come forward to reignite the group which was prevalent in the early 2000s with a view to making the park more appealing and accessible.

The original friends group folded in 2004, but Olywn – who most recently chaired Rudheath and Witton Together – said lockdowns have shone a light on the importance of outdoor spaces and highlighted how neglected Griffiths Park has become.

She said: “I have decided it is time to restart the Friends group so that we can become active in maintaining it.

“I have set up a Friends of Griffiths Park Facebook group which is open to anyone interested and I am hoping to organise some activities on the park including litter picking, tidying of planting and doing a full audit of what needs to be done in order to make the most of the park.

“Currently there is no access for people using mobility scooters or with double pushchairs and I have raised this with the owners.

“I would like to set the Friends group up formally again so that we are able to fundraise for things like seating, bird and bat boxes and maybe even for community artworks to complement the existing artwork.”

For anyone interested in getting involved email friendsofgriffithspark@hotmail.com