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The photographs above, from left to right, show:
(1)
John telling the children about plans for a Skateboard Park;
(2) The children feeding the ducks with special duck food following a talk by Annette, Friends Committee Member, advising the children how unhealthy it is for water fowl to be fed bread;
(3) Sue, Friends' Committee Member, showing the children her dog training skills;
(4) Members of the local police force advising the children on how to stay safe in the park and to respect it so that all park users can enjoy this wonderful greenspace in the middle of West Bromwich.
It was a beautiful summer morning in July when the Friends invited Class 6 from Eaton Valley Primary School to visit the park to learn about the restoration work taking place and how to be safe in the park. The morning started at the school when three children were presented with certificates and a gift voucher from W H Smith for their winning entries in a competition the pupils took part in earlier in the year following a visit to the school by the Friends. All the entries were excellent and each pupil in Class 6 was presented with the gift of a ball in recognition of the high standard of their stories, pictures and posters.
Following the presentation the class walked to the Dagger Lane Entrance of the park where they were met by John R Satchwell, the Restoration Project Manager, Dean Howard from the contractors, Mansells, Steven Hodgkinson from Black Country Living Landscapes, and three members of the local police force. The tour of the park took them past some of the restoration works and Dean from Mansells told them not to venture into the area where work is taking place because they could get injured. He showed them the work taking place on the Avenue and the new entrance from the Sandwell Valley. John asked the children if they would like a skateboard park, and told them about the new equipment that would be introduced into the play area. Steven answered the children's questions during the walk and pointed out different bird songs.
Finally the children arrived at the play area, where Sue gave them a dog training demonstration and the police gave them a talk on staying safe in the park; then they were free to play on the equipment before returning to school for lunch.
Everyone seemed to enjoy their morning in the park.
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