Community project brings history of Parkgate to life
Members of the Parkgate Society with the board that will be situated at the Old Baths. L to R: Derek Haylock, Membership Secretary; Alan Passmore, Secretary; Derick Cotton, Treasurer; Brenda Marple, Committee member.
Cheshire West and Chester Council has worked with the Parkgate Society and SpaceHive, the community funding platform, on a project to bring the history of Parkgate to life for visitors.
This week will see information boards erected around the village providing residents and visitors with information about its past and present.
The seven boards, which were funded by pledges from residents and businesses via Cheshire West Crowd Fund, follow a linear route covering the whole of the Parade.
The boards tell the story of Parkgate, including its shipbuilding heritage, the impact of the railways, connections with the fishing industry, rope making, famous residents and the Old Baths.
Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Councillor Louise Gittins, said:
The new boards look wonderful and it’s so good to see a true community project come to fruition. On every board our designers have 'hidden' a little ships wheel for children to find - it's actually the logo for the Parkgate Society, which is a lovely touch.
Derick Cotton, Treasurer of the Parkgate Society, said:
Through this project the Parkgate Society set out to enhance the visitor experience and to provide easy access to the rich Heritage that Parkgate village has to offer and we are delighted we achieved our funding target. The Society is extremely grateful for the encouragement and support provided by the members and officers of Cheshire West and Chester Council and to the long list of community supporters, including Neston Town Council.
The success of this project has encouraged the Parkgate Society to launch a further crowd funding project and has now raised sufficient funds for an ambitious and accessible viewing platform at the Old Baths area, due completion later this year.