The Banks Opening Ceremony - public welcome September 2007
Saturday 22nd September 2007 at 12.00 noon.
In 2000 Quorndon Parish Council commissioned a landscape architect to work with it on a plan for a pedestrian ‘Safe Route’ bisecting Quorn village centre, starting from Rawlins Community College on Church Lane, through the old St Bartholomew’s churchyard and across Stafford Orchard Park to the bridge over Buddon Brook on School lane, a distance of about 1000 metres.
The objectives were:
to improve the visual appearance of open spaces adjacent to, and crossed by, the route
to improve the environment, security, lighting, walkways and street furniture along the way
and to link the Safe Route into the network of ancient footpaths across the village.
The project was to be undertaken in several phases.
Phase 1 re-landscaped and replanted the former Jubilee Gardens (now re-named The Banks to reflect the Banks Cottages formerly occupying the site until the1950’s) It was completed in 2004 at a cost of £120,000.
Phase 2 refurbished the access drive to the church burial ground, resurfaced Church Lane, re-paved the area around the Church Room and restored and replanted trees, shrub and flower beds. It was completed in 2006/07 at a cost of £130,000.
These two phases of the Quorn Safe Route Project are to be formally opened by the Mayor of Charnwood in the presence of the Chairman of the County Council and the Chairman of Quorndon Parish Council at a ceremony at The Banks on 22nd September 2007 at 12.00 noon.
Members of the public are invited and the Hathern Brass Band will provide entertainment on The Banks following the opening ceremony.
Quorndon Parish Council acknowledges with thanks the financial assistance given by Charnwood Borough Council, the FLAG grants scheme administered by Leicestershire County Council, and the County Council’s SHIRE grants scheme, which together provided over 70% of the funding for both phases of the project.
Thanks also go to the specialists and contractors:
Landscape architects – Bellinger Design of Evesham
Main Landscaping Contractor – DTM Gardens & Landscapes Ltd of Cosby
Ironwork – D W Windsor of Hertfordshire
Granite stonework – Mick Holders of Quorn
Heritage Street Lighting and resurfacing – Leics County Council Highways Dept
The 3rd phase of the Safe Route involves the major refurbishment of Stafford Orchard Park, and Quorndon Parish Council has submitted a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Parks for People initiative for £650,000 to undertake the work. If this bid is successful, the Council will again be seeking to work closely with its previous partners in Local Government, particularly for technical advice and assistance, and matching funding.
In 2000 Quorndon Parish Council commissioned a landscape architect to work with it on a plan for a pedestrian ‘Safe Route’ bisecting Quorn village centre, starting from Rawlins Community College on Church Lane, through the old St Bartholomew’s churchyard and across Stafford Orchard Park to the bridge over Buddon Brook on School lane, a distance of about 1000 metres. 
