Celebration for heritage park after makeover

Roberts Park in Saltaire has had its half-moon pavilion and park shelters restored and a new bandstand and cafe installed.

The bandstand will be officially opened by Saltaire Band, which will perform a specially commissioned fanfare by Bradford composer Jonathan Brigg as part of a family day on Saturday.

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, Bradford Council's executive member for environment and culture, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the launch of Roberts Park. The restoration is wonderful news for the park and district. Following the success of the restoration of Lister Park our reputation for park restoration is acknowledged nationally.

"Roberts Park is a very important historic park in the heart of the wonderful World Heritage Site, Saltaire, and I hope people will come along and rediscover what it has to offer."

Bradford Council received a 3.2m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Parks for People towards regenerating and transforming the historic park to its former glory.

Other improvements to the park include a new children's play area and skatepark and a regular programme of entertainment on the bandstand.

New species of plants have been introduced to the park and access to the riverbank improved.

The paths through the park have been renewed along with boundary walls, gates and railings.

Saturday's family day will take place from 1pm until 5pm, with Saltaire Band performing at 2pm, and includes a Mad Hatter's tea party and morris dancers.

The celebration also marks the International Day for Biodiversity, which is held on May 22, and is a year-long celebration of the diversity of life on earth, including plants, animals and micro-organisms.

Bradford Council is organising a number of events which will celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity.