Volunteers who renovated a much-loved boardwalk to allow people of all abilities to enjoy a Sutton Coldfield beauty spot enjoyed a unique double celebration – when two Mayors showed up to open it.
Image: Mark Sergant, of the Friends of New Hall Valley Country Park (centre) with The Mayor and Mayoress of Sutton Coldfield, John and Sarah Perks, and the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Birmingham, Ken and Barbara Wood.
The New Hall Valley boardwalk – which was funded partly by Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust – was officially opened on Wednesday, August 14 by both the Royal Town’s Mayor John Perks and Birmingham’s Lord Mayor Ken Wood.
Believed to be the first time both Mayors have shared duties at a Sutton event, the unique double ribbon-cutting ceremony was cheered by members of the Friends of New Hall Valley Country Park volunteer group, who gave up their time to renovate the boardwalk, after it had been damaged by vandals.
The group, which boasts almost 800 followers, organise monthly get-togethers where they roll up their sleeves, grab some tools and get stuck in to help keep the Country Park in the best possible condition.
Made from recycled plastic, the newly renovated 185-metre-long boardwalk is low maintenance, easily accessible and expected to last for decades – giving local people access the habitat of New Hall Valley, and adding to the beauty spot’s existing walks.
Work began in April, after Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust provided a grant for £26,200, while other funding came from the City Council’s Beyond Birmingham 2022 fund and Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council.
The two Mayors – who both represent the neighbouring Walmley and Minworth Ward – are long-time supporters of the Friends of New Hall Valley.
Councillor Ken Wood, the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, said: “The boardwalk is brilliant, and I think it’s great that everybody mucked in, from the volunteers who built it to the funders who helped make it happen.
“Everybody did what they could, it was a real team effort. Even though the project had to happen in the first place because of vandalism, the efforts to restore the boardwalk have shown a good thing can come out of a bad thing – it’s so admirable how the town came together.”
Councillor John Perks, Mayor of Royal Sutton Coldfield, is no stranger to New Hall Valley and has volunteered with the Friends on their projects – earlier this year, he broke his arm working on a project with them.
He said: “The volunteers have made this happen – they got together to solve a problem in the local community and created this through hard work and determination.
“They got the funding together themselves and came here whatever the weather to achieve their aim. It says something very positive about the community spirit here in Sutton Coldfield – people of all ages and abilities came along to help.”
Mark Sargent, chair of Friends of New Hall Valley Country Park, said: “I’d like to thank both Mayors and Mayoresses for braving the weather and coming out today, and on the numerous occasions that they have come along here to get involved, lend a hand and show their support.
“It’s great to see the people we elect to represent us rolling their sleeves up and taking part in projects like this.
“So many people, companies and organisations have helped make this happen. Murphy, who I work for, encourage their employees to dedicate two days a year to worthy causes, and we were incredibly lucky that the Cannock depot sent eight strapping lads down to help. They worked like absolute Trojans – they moved 16 tonnes of material in one day!
“And a team from Betel UK, a Birmingham drug rehab charity, came in to demolish the old boardwalk and put the foundations of the new structure in place. It’s really well-constructed, so I want to thank them.
“The City Council’s Park Ranger Service has provided invaluable support too, helping us to achieve what we wanted and lending their expertise.
“And, of course none of this would have been possible without the funding we were lucky enough to receive.
“Last but not least I’d like to thank the volunteers, who come a long week-in, week-out – without them, this project wouldn’t have reached completion.”
Tina Swani, CEO of Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust (SCCT), said: “I think it’s fantastic that a community have pulled together to create this boardwalk, and that volunteers have actually been part of its construction.
“The fact that it’s also made of completely recycled plastic is marvellous – it really fits with what SCCT are here to do, in terms of sustainability and accessibility.
“People of all mobility levels will now be able to come out into this fantastic park.”
James Wanless, of Kacey Recycled Plastics, helped provide the recycled materials.
He said: “The main benefit of recycled plastics like this is longevity. This boardwalk could be here for 50-plus years now.
“It’s good to be involved with a community project because you see how it benefits local people.”
Georgina Bourdon, of Hahn Plastics, added: “The material we used in the deck boards have been tested rigorously, proving it has a shelf life which will hopefully outlive all of us!
“It’s great in this type of environment too – it doesn’t rot or splinter and is non-toxic. It’s a high-tech, recycled product in the midst of nature.”
Betel UK, which is based in Aston, provides life-changing support to those struggling with alcohol or drug addiction or who are homelessness, including opportunities to work.
A team from Betel took on the tough role of sinking the boardwalk’s foundations into the valley’s wetlands, before the Friends could lay the 740 decking boards.
Luke Williams said: “Our team from Betel were here from day one, right until the end of the project. It took us 17 days to put the initial frame in, and because we were working in a swamp in the rain, it was very challenging.”
Team member Steve Naylor added: “It’s absolutely amazing now. It’s been so worthwhile, and we’re really grateful we were able to contribute.”
