LONGWELL Green representatives have welcomed more than £10,000 in new government investment to upgrade a beloved local community green space in the community.

The funding for the Willsbridge Mill Community Refresh group comes from the Pocket Parks Plus Programme, which is designed to create vibrant and inclusive green spaces for the public to enjoy.

An additional £3.75million was injected into the programme by the Government, as part of a range of initiatives introduced in February this year by Secretary of State James Brokenshire, with the aim of securing the future sustainability of the nation’s parks and to fund the creation of new parks and green spaces.

Having applied for the financial support, the Willsbridge Mill Community Refresh (WMCR) CIC, which oversees the work to restore the mill and its surrounding gardens, have learned the wooded valley is one of 198 green spaces across England to be on the receiving end of £10,500 in funding.

WMCR founder Susan Smith said: “We were so pleased to hear our bid to this government programme has been successful, and want to thank the many members of our community for their ongoing support.

“This funding will go some way to help our efforts to restore the grounds around the Mill, in particular through the creation of a remembrance woodland, which will be a peaceful spot where native trees can be planted to remember loved ones.”

Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore said: “This government-funded scheme has sought to secure the future sustainability of the nation’s parks and to fund the creation of new parks and green spaces. As the local MP, and having been born and brought up around Willsbridge Mill, it’s fantastic to see this important community asset benefit in this way. Many congratulations to the committed volunteers of the Willsbridge Mill Community Refresh group.”

Cllrs Toby Savage and Christine Price, who represent Longwell Green, and who have previously supported the group with Member Awarded Funding through the council, added: “We are delighted that the hard work of the Willsbridge Mill Community Refresh volunteers have been recognised through this new funding. The grounds around the historic Mill are a delightful place to visit and we look forward to seeing the result of this successful bid.”