New gateways saluting the heritage and cultural life of the Dearne have been unveiled at Welfare Park in Goldthorpe.
The park has benefitted from significant improvements as part of the Goldthorpe Town Deal, a £23.1 million investment from the UK Government's Towns Fund which is transforming Goldthorpe and the Dearne.
We’ve renewed access roads and pathways, provided new car parking and installed CCTV to enhance public safety.
The works are part of the Community and Cultural Hub project, one of five key projects in the Towns Fund programme, which has also included the restoration and transformation of the Dearne Playhouse.
Students from Astrea Academy Dearne played a key role in shaping the design for the two new Welfare Park archways, which feature a miners’ lamp and theatre masks to highlight the Dearne's mining heritage and the adjacent Dearne Playhouse.
The Astrea students benefitted from work experience with the Barnsley Council team masterminding the transformation of the Playhouse and Welfare Park.
The academy’s Shaping Futures programme see students compiling CVs and being interviewed for roles, before taking part in regular workshops, site visits and meetings and a showcase for employers and schoolmates.
Barnsley Council were able to offer multiple groups of students work placements in varied areas, including major projects, human resources and public health.
Holly Mills, careers leader at Astrea Academy Dearne, said: “We are honoured our students have been able to play their part in the wonderful improvements to Welfare Park through our Shaping Futures project.
“I’m grateful to the council for inviting us to be involved and hope the students will be proud of the results of their hard work, which will be enjoyed for years to come.”
Matthew Stephens, chair of the Goldthorpe Town Board, said: “The new gateways are a great new addition to Welfare Park and highlight how the area is being enhanced by the Towns Fund programme.
“It is important our young people feel invested in the future of Goldthorpe and the Dearne, so I’m pleased that Barnsley Council have been able to work with a local school to design new signs paying a fitting tribute to the Dearne’s heritage.”
Cllr Robin Franklin, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said: “We are passionate about giving everyone in Barnsley the chance to develop their skills, and this project at Welfare Park is an example of this vision in action.
“I congratulate the students on their hard work and creativity and hope everyone will enjoy using the new gateways.
“We are proud of the improvements to the Dearne Playhouse and Welfare Park and are determined to continue investing in a bright future for Goldthorpe and the Dearne.”
South Yorkshire firm Lightmain manufactured and installed the new gateways, which stand either side of the Playhouse.
Towns Fund investment has already delivered the Horse and Groom Square in the heart of Goldthorpe, as well as the restoration and development of the Playhouse into an in-demand community cultural hub.
Find out how the Goldthorpe Town Deal is shaping a bright new future for the Dearne at barnsley.gov.uk/Goldthorpe.
Caption: Astrea Academy students with Holly Mills, careers leader at Astrea Academy Dearne (left), and Dearne North councillor Cllr Martin Morrell.
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