Winckley Square gardens

As we are currently running a series of articles of the unique and historical Winckley Square, we thought that readers may be interested in knowing that a partnership including Groundwork Lancashire West and Wigan, Preston City Council and the Winckley Square Community Interest Company (WSCIC) have been very busy looking into a conservation plan with a sympathetic approach to the improvement and restoration of Winckley Square gardens.

Winckley Square gardens

The gardens have a long and interesting past starting with the whole area being as separate parcels of land which were owned by the various residents of the square. Over the years and for various reasons, the discrete gardens became as one which is the current condition of the gardens in the present day. Many beaten tracks were created by people walking through the individual gateways and across to their personal destination; these tracks are known as desire lines and represent of all the hard surfaced pathways you see today.

Winckley Square gardens current view

Although many trees and shrubs were planted at the inception of Winckley Square, many others have appeared since then, creating a beautiful and peaceful setting which can only be described as an oasis within the city centre. A number of species of birds and other types of animal life have taken up residence in the gardens adding to the general ambience of this wonderful Preston gem.

One of the inhabitants of Winckley Square Gardens

Over a great many years of the life of the gardens, time has taken its toll and some tender loving care is now due to be given to the gardens. The conservation plan has to be sympathetic and sensitive to the natural surroundings and ecology in existence there today. The plan also needs to take into account the views and opinions of the people of Preston who visit the gardens and indeed those who work and reside in the square. This is where you can deliver your input to that scheme and participate in a public survey to enable your personal impact on what is to be done.

You can go to this on-line survey which will take about five minutes or so to complete and know then that your input will have helped to shape the submission to the Heritage Lottery Fund in applying for a £1 million bid to bring the plan to fruition.

You can find out more on this link here about the conservation plan to discover what has been done so far and see a headline breakdown of what there is yet to be done up to the submission deadline of February 28 2015.

It’s time to get involved with the conservation plan to ensure a pleasing outcome for all concerned.

GIVE YOUR INPUT TODAY FOR THE FUTURE OF WINCKLEY SQUARE GARDENS.

Do you go to Winckley Square gardens? What improvements would you like to see? Let us know in the comments below.