Ford Park Community group, held their AGM in Ford house last night, with drinks and nibbles afterwards for all who attended.
After 10 years the group has made much progress towards their goal of saving this open space for Ulverston, and, the number of users of the facilities has steadily increased. But they still have a mountain to climb, for although they have made great strides in improving the landscaping of Ford Park, including a new pond, planting over 100 new trees and tens of thousands of daffodil and crocus bulbs, the upkeep of Ford House itself is still a financial burden.
In amongst all the good news in the managers report it was clear that the group are still struggling to find a viable use for Ford House,a grade 2 listed building. The plans to turn it into a youth hostal have foundered with the downturn in funding, caused mainly by the financial crisis. So the trustees are now considering further options towards a mortgage free future. Monies owed to the Architectural Heritage Fund, which lent the group £220,000 to acquire the site attracts £8800 a year in interest payments, no small amount for a community group to find, along with all the costs of maintaining the park and it's buildings, but they remain upbeat and are confident that one way or another Ford Park will be saved. It's just proving to be a long job.
The turnout though, was disappointing, with only about 30 members present, and these being mostly the people that attend the regular monthly meetings. Apart from myself there were no members of the town council, surprise, surprise, not even Colin Hodgson who is the ward councillor. Why they choose to ignore the group is beyond me, but SLDC councillor Mark Wilson was there, and he gave a very heartfelt speech praising the huge efforts of the group, and of it's achievements, especially in helping many disadvantaged people in our community which for the most part goes unseen by the vast majority of the town.
After 10 years there's a danger of Ford Park community group being taken for granted, that they have all the expertise, and volunteers they need to complete their original objective of saving this open space for the enjoyment of all, but don't kid yourself.
Had you been at their AGM you would realise that there's still a long way to go and their battle is a long way from over. But with the enthusiasm of the volunteers and the dogged determination of the trustees and management I'm sure that eventually they will succeed, despite the lack of support from the vast majority of our town councillors.
