Victoria Park and Watercress Fields in Ashford earmarked for National Lottery funding
08:50, 17 July 2017
Two popular parks have been picked to receive extra cash from the National Lottery.
Victoria Park and Watercress Fields, both in Ashford, have been earmarked for £3.2 million funding.
The money comes from a £40 million pot being given to 13 parks and cemeteries across England and Wales.
The money will go towards projects such as restoring under-used football pitches at Hirst Park in Ashington, Northumberland, which is the park where Sir Bobby Charlton and his brother Jack first played and trained.
It will get a £2 million boost for its facilities.
Other parks and cemeteries receiving grants include Boston Manor Park in London with £3.9 million earmarked for funding, with initial support to develop the project, Poole Park, Poole and Springfield Park in London.
Victoria Park, in Jemmett Road, features a 19th century fountain called the Harper Fountain and the park plays host to Create music festival every summer, with this year's happening this coming weekend.
The Watercress Fields are a large open area of grassland alongside the River Great Stour, to the west of Victoria Park.
