Hundreds attend community celebration at Ilchester Park

Over four hundred people descended on Ilchester Park, near St James' Centre, today to attend a community celebration in Birkenhead.

The park was transformed for the day for "Ilchester Festival", with teepees and gazebos housing activities such as face painting, drumming workshops, flower-pot planting and arts and crafts.

Community celebration at Illchester Park today! @TomorrowsWomen will be there https://t.co/2t2SHINJ2W" @merseyforest @WhatsonWirral

— Tomorrow's Women (@TomorrowsWomen) August 23, 2014

There were singing and dancing performances from St James Harmony Choir and Espire Morris Dancers, and attendees were also given the opportunity to take part in the street parade that passed through the park in the afternoon.

The event was opened by local MP Frank Field, who thanked the event's organisers in his opening speech for their support: "Well done for beginning to form a new community in Birkenhead."

The event was organised by The Mersey Forest and North Birkenhead Development Trust, and was held to celebrate the transformation of Ilchester Park, a former housing demolition site, into a natural play area. This work is ongoing and is being funded by The Veolia Environmental Trust through the Landfill Communities Fund. It also celebrated local creativity through the street parade, which was put together by local businesses, community groups and residents.

We're making natural head dresses and jewellery outside The Mersey Forest teepee #ilchesterfest14 pic.twitter.com/qezFS9ep0H

— The Mersey Forest (@merseyforest) August 23, 2014

The event follows weeks of natural play sessions organised by local charity Play Out, with the aim of reconnecting children with their local green spaces.

Local mother Emma said: "This is a fantastic event. My little girl has made a headdress and we've made a flowerpot for our garden, and it was all free!"

Paul Nolan, Director of The Mersey Forest, said: "It was fantastic to see so many families enjoying themselves during Ilchester Festival today.

"We hope that the changes taking place at Ilchester Park over the coming months will have a lasting impact on the local community and encourage people to take ownership of the park."

The Mersey Forest is set to continue transforming Ilchester Park into a space where children can reconnect with nature. The completed site will feature wildflower meadows, improved pathways, and natural play equipment.

Paul Taylor, Executive Director at The Veolia Environmental Trust added: "We look forward to seeing the transformation of Ilchester Park. It is wonderful to see Landfill Communities Fund money being used in this way."

And then it was over! Thanks #veolia and everyone for a great event at #Ilchester trees @merseyforest pic.twitter.com/oosROYGIrq

— paul nolan (@pajno) August 23, 2014