New-look park has designs on town’s history

Oct 2 2008 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

New-look park has designs on town’s history

TALENTED youngsters have helped to give a £120,000 facelift to a popular park in Larkhall.

The youngsters, along with artist Alan Potter and Larkhall Heritage Group and prominent members of the community, unveiled a magnificent mosaic at the Memorial Park in Glenview.

The mosaic is the centrepiece within the park’s memorial fountain and shows a timeline of major historical events and periods in Larkhall’s history.

Alan Potter worked on the mosaic along with Larkhall Heritage Group and he has been delighted with the show of enthusiasm and talent from the local young people for the project.

Along with a group of young people, Alan created and designed 15 individual mosaics that are situated on the park’s pathways.

The mosaics were unveiled in front of members of Larkhall Heritage Group, young people, Alan Potter and elected members.

Helen Moir, secretary of Larkhall Heritage Group, said: “Along with Alan and the youngsters, we had a lot of involvement in developing the mosaic.

“We helped to give Alan historical data about Larkhall.

“The mosaic is beautiful and Alan did a fantastic job.”There’s a wealthy history in Larkhall dating back 4000 years, and we were delighted to be involved in the project.

“The children are the future of our area, and we were delighted to see them involved.”

South Lanarkshire Council's Community Resources and the Community Regeneration Fund contributed £120,000 to the park, which led to new play equipment, path improvements and benches being installed.

Enterprise Resources have since been instrumental in commissioning mosaics to enhance the appearance of the park.

People have been involved in the regeneration of the park from the outset with support from Changing Places Larkhall, with some of them involved in working groups, public consultation events, questionnaires and choosing equipment.

Through these discussions the local community suggested some artwork should be developed in the park, resulting in a number of mosaics which have now been unveiled.

Councillor Chris Thompson, chairman of South Lanarkshire Council’s Enterprise Resources, said: “I am delighted that the park has now been completed and it is looking absolutely fantastic.

“It was great that the local community were so involved in the key decisions about what should go into the park.

“I am sure they feel a great sense of pride and ownership about the park and it will be a focal point for everyone to enjoy.”

Councillor Gerry Convery, chairman of South Lanarkshire Council’s Community Resources Committee, said: “I am also delighted at the improvements which have been made to the park.

“Both Community and Enterprise Resources have devoted a lot of time and money to the project and it's wonderful to see the end product.”