Mike’s £1m park vision lives on

DUNWOOD Park . . . major restoration to come

A COMMUNITY group has pledged to continue the sterling work of its late leader in transforming Shaw’s Dunwood Park.

Heartfelt tributes were paid to Mike McGrother, of Wood End, Shaw, following his recent death after battling a brain tumour since October.

The 70-year-old had been instrumental in founding the Friends of Dunwood Park, borne out of his family’s love for the beauty spot and the dedication of a small group of local residents.

Now, the group has said it will strive to finish off the job of restoring the park with a £1 million grant that Mr McGrother masterminded the application for.

In a letter inviting residents to the group’s annual meeting in January, vice chairman Roy Wood said: “Mike will be greatly missed by us all. His leadership and commitment resulted in the success of the lottery bid. I know that he wanted to use this invitation to say a huge thank-you for your support, which has been invaluable to that success.

“The year ahead will be a challenging one for the committee but I feel confident that we can continue to rely on your support, which remains essential if we are to see the vision for Dunwood Park become a reality.

“The physical improvements will take place over the next two years and should be complete in time for us to celebrate Dunwood Park’s Centenary in September, 2012.”

Mr McGrother started the group with only a £200 grant from the parish council in 2003 and set about turning the park into a top-class community treasure.

He even attended a group meeting the day before he died.

The annual meeting takes place on January 18 at 7pm at St James’s Church Hall, on the junction of Salts Street and Milnrow Road.

On the agenda is a proposed change to the constitution to allow the committee to be expanded to 20 members during the major refurbishment.

Mr Wood said a major task is to encourage more people to use and benefit from all that the restored park will have to offer.

A major networking event is planned for January 27 with invites sent to local voluntary and statutory organisations who might want to use the facilities.

Any groups thinking of running an activity in the park or using the new community room can contact Cath Jones on 01706 844787.