25/04/2025
Claremont Park Community Centre, in the Claremont Ward of Blackpool have benefited from the donation of a shed from water utilities company, United Utilities
The local gardening club were in desperate need of additional storage as vital space was taken up in their polytunnel preventing the nurturing of flora for the summer.
Iain Pilling, Area Engagement Lead, Lancashire from United Utilities came to the rescue and offered that they would make the donation after hearing about the lack of storage at a recent Claremont Steering Group meeting. The ‘Claremont’ project is a key project of the Blackpool Pride of Place Partnership Board of which United Utilities also sit on. Established in 2017, the Blackpool Pride of Place Board has broken down long-standing barriers between communities, businesses and the council.
Whilst the gardening club, led by community volunteer Karen Norcliffe been established for several years, a flurry of new visitors to the centre after a recent refurbishment has helped see an increase in new green-fingered members. The centre also provides cook and eat sessions, a chat and play children’s group, Blackpool & Fylde College courses as well as free first aid training.
The polytunnel is now fit for its original purpose and is now used to grow plants and saplings for the benefit of the community.
Sue Brown, Claremont project lead, and Claremont Park Community Centre Trustee, said, “We’re extremely grateful of the donation by United Utilities and we look forward to continuing to work with them in future.”
