Date published: 8 July 2021
Mersey Care’s horticultural team have been praised for a second time for their continuing hard work and contributions to another community green space close to their base at Maghull Health Park.
Last year the Friends of Maghull and District (FOMD) group wrote to our Estates and Facilities department to officially thank head gardener Paul Pruden and his team for their work on finishing phase two of a project at Stafford Moreton Way, by laying wildflower turf which was postponed due to the pandemic restrictions.
Now Paul, along with colleagues Dave, Phil, and Neil, have been recognised for helping reinvigorate an historic woodland entrance to Maghull close to the main roads network, the Woodend Community Woodland Project. The welcoming wildlife-friendly community space at Bobby's Wood close was opened by Cllr Clare Carragher for her first official visit as new Mayor of Sefton.
FOMD Trustee and Maghull Town councillor Frank Sharp wrote to Mersey Care to convey his gratitude for their landscaping skills at the woodland stating: “Paul and his team worked relentlessly removing 146 tonnes of soil which was landscaped seamlessly into the rear of the site and replaced it with 146 tonnes of materials. He consistently demonstrated wonderful organisational skills, patience, humour, courteousness and determination.
“Not for the first time, it gives me great pleasure to endorse your Gardeners Team as a real credit to Mersey Care for providing a beautiful accessible inspirational community legacy. Finally, may I convey our huge debt of gratitude to your organisation for supporting this wonderful philanthropic treasure.”
Head of Estates and Facilities at Mersey Care, Tracey Battison said: “It is lovely to hear such a good account of our staff. Paul and the horticultural team demonstrated dedication and commitment over the course of this community project, not forgetting the extra challenges caused by the pandemic. Their involvement has shown how staff are prepared to go the extra mile to help a scheme that will benefit the health and wellbeing of one of our local communities.”
Their work in laying a 230-metre natural Cotswold-style path will enable the community space to be accessed better by everyone including those with disability and the elderly.
A crowd-funding appeal and other voluntary contributions of time, materials or manpower to the community project engaged a wide range of organisations, firms and individuals. This included Kier Construction, who installed a perimeter wooden rail at the community space as a legacy gift after working on the new Rowan View medium secure unit at Maghull Health Park.
