HISTORY was made at a celebration to mark the refurbishment of an important green space in Worcester,
The city’s most senior leaders turned out to view the completed St Andrew’s Gardens and for the very first time all three positions are simultaneously held by women – Coun Lynn Denham as Worcester City Council leader, Coun Tor Pingree as mayor and Coun Karan Holmes, her deputy.
Over the last 18 months, St Andrew’s Gardens has undergone a major programme of improvements to enhance accessibility and create a more welcoming environment for its visitors.
As part of the refurbishment, a new entrance has been created at the Copenhagen Street and Deansway junction, providing a striking gateway into the park. The entrance incorporates references to Worcester’s glove-making heritage, which gave St Andrew’s Spire its well-known “Glovers’ Needle” nickname.
Landscaping works completed over the winter have enhanced biodiversity across the site while creating a more attractive and accessible green space in the heart of the city, linking High Street with the Riverside Park.
The £252,000 scheme was funded with £180,000 of Government funding alongside £72,000 of developer contributions secured through planning agreements in the surrounding area.
Coun Denham said: “It was a pleasure to visit St Andrew’s Gardens with the mayor and deputy mayor to celebrate both the completion of this excellent project and a historic moment for Worcester.
“These improvements will benefit residents and visitors for years to come, creating better access through the gardens and a greener, more welcoming and accessible gateway between the city centre and the riverside.
“I am delighted that the gardens now include new commemoration of the glove-making industry, which was the backbone of Worcester’s economy for many decades, employing 30,000 people at its peak in the early 19th Century.”
The refurbishment has also highlighted an important piece of Worcester’s history.
The original tip of the Glovers’ Needle spire was removed and replaced in the 1920s on safety grounds. It was relocated to ground level by the great-great-grandfather of local stonemason Lewis Allard, but was positioned in a spot that was largely hidden from public view.
Working with the project team, Lewis has now helped relocate the historic stonework to a prominent position within the gardens, where it can be appreciated as a piece of public art and a reminder of the city’s rich heritage.
