MEMBERS attending the annual meeting of the Friends of Hardwick Country Park were treated to a preview of a tourist video recalling the history of the park, and the plans for its multi-million pound restoration.
Tony Smith, Durham County Council countryside manager, and project manager Katherine Grezo gave a commentary on the video, which will be available to the public when it is finished.
In a brief report, chairman Jack Glendinning told the meeting in Sedgfield Parish Hall that it had been a successful year, with a major achievement being the gaining of funding of £26.400 from the Northern Rock Foundation for the replacement of the lost Neptune Statue.
He said that the contract had been signed with sculpture Keith Madison, of Northumberland, and work started on the reproduction, which will be cast in bronze by a foundry in Nairn, Scotland.
The county council will prepare the foundation for it in its lake setting.
Mr Smith reported that it was hoped to start in April on a visitors centre and restoration of the Grand Terrace. Final work is shortly to begin on the Cascade, with the new lake being nearly full, ahead of schedule.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article