GOOD NEWS! - BANDSTAND PROJECT                                   

In March this year we submitted an application to Heritage Lottery Fund for a grant to restore the bandstand and we have just received confirmation that this has been approved. The grant is divided into two parts: the first smaller amount is to develop the project and the second larger amount is to carry out the work.

During the initial stage the Friends are responsible for researching the musical traditions in the Park, consulting with local people, hosting exhibition events at the visitor centre and using audio visual techniques to interview people who have memories of events in the Park. 

If you can help us in any way please email friends@fobp.co.uk or phone 01484 645217.

Kirklees Council are responsible for drafting the bandstand design brief which will apply not just to the structure itself but to all aspects of the surrounding area such as access, planting, furniture and provision of necessary services.  When this has been completed we can then apply for the second part of the grant so we are aiming to complete the development side by the end of this year.

GOOD NEWS! - Charity Status

Following members approval given at our AGM last December we applied to convert to a Company Limited by Guarantee and this was approved in March this year. It enabled us to approach the Charity Commission who gave us Charitable status on 23 April so we are now a Registered Charity. This gives two main advantages as we rely on grants and donations as our main source of income for Park improvements. Grants Each year we apply to various agencies for grants for projects ranging from as low as £375 to the bandstand project at £200,000. We now have a wider range of funding opportunities as some agencies will only support charities.

Donations - The life membership fee to FoBP has always been £2 and there is no intention, at this stage, to charge any more. Our current membership is well over 500 which means that our views and ideas are taken seriously by Kirklees Council and other organisations. However we do need to raise cash to build up funds for various projects. The fact that we have been able to make a reasonable cash contribution to the HLF grant for the bandstand meant that our application was viewed in a favourable light. Charity status enables us to take advantage of the Gift Aid scheme which means that, for every pound you give, we get an extra 25p from HM Revenue & Customs provided you are a taxpayer.

If you think your £2 life membership fee has been good value over the years and would like to make a further donation this would definitely help us in our quest to continue the improvements made over the years. If so please make a cheque out to Friends of Beaumont Park Ltd and complete and return the Gift Aid form.  Remember - a donation of £10 under the gift aid scheme means that we have £12.50 for the benefit of the Park.

CROSLAND MOOR JUNIOR SCHOOL - POND DIPPING PLATFORM

We have been awarded a community grant to create a pond dipping platform which will be used by children from Crosland Moor Junior School with whom we have been co-operating on this project and we hope other local schools and groups will use it. The pond has been cleared out as far as possible and will be planted with appropriate species. The dipping platform will be at the right hand side.