Thousands are raised for town planting plans

Thousands of pounds were raised at a special event to help pay for a spruce-up in Alnwick.
Column Field, Alnwick.Column Field, Alnwick.
Column Field, Alnwick.

More than £5,000 was collected at a raffle and gala night last Friday, and that total is set to rise, including a possible donation from the town’s Halifax Community Bank branch.

The plan is to use the money to plant meadow flowers and cherry trees at the Column Field. It is hoped to install benches and a Capability Brown landscape viewing point.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The event, supported by local businesses, took place at the White Swan Hotel.

Alnwick Chamber of Trade chairman Carlo Biagioni said: “The night was a great success and we have got enough money to do some planting at the Column Field.

“But we would like to ask all of the community of Alnwick about their thoughts on improving the Column Field.”

Ahead of the 2017 raffle, the Alnwick Garden Town Trust was formed to facilitate the move towards Alnwick becoming recognised as a Garden Town.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The charitable trust consists of representatives from the likes of Alnwick Chamber of Trade, the town council, The Alnwick Garden and Jonathan Park, from the town’s Halifax branch.

Mr Park thanked those who attended the event, bought tickets and gave prizes for the raffle and auction.

He also thanked the master of ceremonies, John Parker, and the race night organisers, as well as the White Swan.

A similar raffle and gala night took place last year and money raised helped to pay for planting and aesthetic improvements around the town, including at Alnwick bus station and Greenwell Road. Alnwick in Bloom helped with the planting.

○ To send your views about the Column Field, email Carlo at [email protected]