Funding thumbs up for green space

The Friends of Pensnett Coppice was only formed 18 months ago but have already secured funding from Dudley Council.
The money from the Brierley Hill, Brockmoor and Pensnett community forum will go towards a major clean-up of the site as well as new benches, bins and tools for the group.

The council has already started work on the site including cutting back overgrown bushes and trees, but more work is planned to return the site to its former glory.

Edna Leigh, treasure of the friends group, said:
It’s such a beautiful site but not many people know it’s here. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done so that local children can start to play here again and people can enjoy it for walks. This funding will go a long way so it’s a real thumbs up for everyone involved.
Weeds have already been cut back and the concrete bases for bins and benches have been put in. The rest of the work is expected to take place over the next few weeks.

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, said:
I am delighted the group has been successful with their funding bid – this is exactly the sort of thing we want the community forum money being spent on. It’s amazing what the group has been able to achieve, especially given the restrictions in recent times. Well done to everyone involved.

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for public realm, added:
This is a hidden gem of an open space and I hope this funding will help the local people make more of it. We are only too happy to help local people improve green open spaces such as this so everyone can continue to enjoy them.
Community groups can bid for funding from the council through the community forums. An application form is available online at www.dudley.gov.uk

Pictured: Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, with Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for public realm, and Edna Leigh and Rebbekah Collins from the Friends of Pensnett Coppice.