In late summer 2008 there will be two new pieces of play equipment installed and in July 2008 a new seat was added.
Primrose Hill Play area received a facelift from the 2006/7 budget as part of the Parish Councils Playground Renewal project.
The area received new fencing all around, a large part of which was part of the school fencing project, which the Parish Council partnered with assistance and matching in its own fencing to theirs.
The area got a new path all rounds it perimeter and an extension on the back of open grass area for play.
The equipment was all painted, two new seats were installed and signage.
Millennium Green - present state
July 2008
The Millennium Green is undergoing some remedial works this summer. The path has been top-coated along with a drain installed near to the arch entrance to prevent the path from subsidence and puddling.
Unfortunately the Tree Sculpture had to be felled as it was rotten right through.
November/December 2006
Work on the footpath has now started and here are some photos of the initial stages which is to lay edges to the path, to support the path surface but also to give a definite edge to the grass which will prevent the path reducing in width.
On a frosty February morning the Lengthsman, with the help of a mini digger and John, the driver, dug a trench at Greenside.
The trench was filled with woodchippings to provide a more usuable path across the land.
The path is attached to the public footpath number 24 which starts at Runshaw Lane, goes through The Croft and Meadowcroft where there it links to the path at Greenside. Before making this path people just walked across the grass, which could get very muddy. Some say that many years ago there was a proper path but there was no evidence of it left.
By lunchtime the path was complete and the sun had come out.
A revolutionary new solar lighting column has been installed in Euxton to provide much needed light to a parish amenity. The use of solar powered lighting is still quite ground-breaking and Euxton is only the third project to use it in the North West.
Euxton Parish Council completed its youth shelter project on Southport Road, located just at the entrance to the village with the illuminating sun powered light.
The Parish Council decided to purchase the solar light after receiving quotations for a conventional ‘wired’ street light which ran into the high £’000s. The solar light provides background illumination for the safety of users but does use electricity or require wiring in to a mains electricity supply.
Cllr Geoff Witts, Chairman of the Leisure Committee of Euxton Parish Council said, “The project has been a success and provided a much needed meeting place for the village’s teenage population. Now the light has been installed it completes the project for this area of land which, before the Parish Council took it over, was an ugly overgrown eyesore at the entrance to the village. The Council felt the area let Euxton down and did not reflect the beauty and tidiness of the rest of the village.“
Geoff went on to say about the project, “The shelter has been extremely well received by other residents too! It is regularly used by walkers passing through the village or on their way to the Yarrow Valley trail, it’s proving to be a much needed resting place for people walking from the supermarket with heavy shopping bags and a necessary shelter from the rain for passers by or dog walkers - besides being used for its original purpose, a meeting place for younger members of Euxton.”
The James Moorcroft Play Area, Balshaw Lane
In late summer 2008 there will be two new pieces of play equipment to be added to the toddler park.
The Parish Council has instigated a major investment programme to improve each of its recreation areas in turn. This financial year the James Moorcroft play area on Balshaw Lane is benefiting from the budget. Already the perimeter fencing to two sides has been replaced and a light installed in the centre.
The next steps to be completed are the creation of a new area for play and the re-surfacing of the footpath, which runs through the centre of the park.
It was noted that a section of the park was not in use and could be utilised as a small, low level wheeled sport area and the hard-standing has been laid and fenced in preparation.
The Leisure Committee has now agreed upon a scheme of items for the new area. Following installation of the equipment the re-surfacing of the path, through the centre, will be carried out as the final major works. Other minor works to follow will be renewal of the bark, new signs and small maintenance jobs.
Update - the area was completed in January and a photo is shown on the left. The area has proved to be very popular and often there are quite a number of youngsters practicing their skills on the equipment.
Youth Shelter
A shelter has been on Balshaw Lane Play Area for over 3 years now. Recently the Parish Council acquired 2 more shelters which are much larger. One is sited on an area of land just off Southport Road adjacent to the Yarrow Valley Car Park. At the same time one was placed at Greenside Recreation Grounds which is being resited soon. see update
Finger Post
The refurbishment of the old original fingerpost at the junction of Runshaw Lane and Flag Lane completed in 2005, after a long wait for some traditional restoration materials the work was completed in May.
The Parish Council is keen to brighten up the village and for the past few years has been creating permanent flower displays in different locations around the village.
For Summer 2008 a new bed was created opposite the Euxton Mills pub. Photo below - this has been kindly sponsored by Keith and Alma from the Euxton Mills.
For Summer 2007 there is to be a new bed created on the grass adjacent to Euxton Tile Centre on Wigan Road with their kind permission. In Winter 2005 a new planter will be added to Dawbers Lane ready for Summer 2006.
Planter below is at the junction of Balshaw Lane and Highways Avenue and next to that is Washington Lane corner. On the right side is the triangle one on Runshaw Lane and under that is the small planter on Euxton Lane, adjacent to the Badgers Walk estate entrance and at the bottom is the junction of Euxton Lane at the Bay Horse.
Runshaw Lane just after the motorway bridge approaching the village - Spring 2007
Euxton Lane, just after Badgers Walk turn in heading in to the village - Spring 2007
Euxton Lane junction with Wigan Road and Runshaw Lane
The Parish Council commissioned a walking map to illustrate the public footpath walks and areas and buildings of special interest around the village. A PDF file of the map will appear on the website when it has been made. Following production of the map leaflets which were distributed to all village homes 2 map boards were erected, one outside the Library and the other on Southport Road next to the Yarrow Valley car park and walk.
iF YOU WANT A MAP USE OUR FORM TO REQUEST ONE.
Queens Jubilee 2002
For the Queens Jubilee year the Parish Council commissioned a feature on the Millennium Green and ran a competition with local school children to draw some picture depicting events through the 50 years of the Queen's reign. Photos of the feature wall and the plaques on it can be seen on the two attached PDF files. Photos
Path Renewal Project
The Parish Council together with Chorley Borough Council and Lancashire County Council through an LSSRP grant had the path leading from Brookside to the A49 Wigan Road upgraded and renewed. Each the Parish Council and Chorley Borough Council paid a quarter of the cost and the LSSRP grant paid the rest. The grant was obtained by the Parish Council and Chorley Borough council will be adopting the path once it is finished.
The path surface was broken up and uneven, shrubs and trees overgrew the path which made it difficult to use. The picture on the left shows the overgrown weeds and on the right shows the reinstated path and cut back sides.
The previous photos on the left shows the broken surface and how narrow the path had become by the overgrown shrubbery and weeds. The photos taken after the work on the right show how the path has been widened and cleaned up.
Other works carried out include the installation of three lighting columns, barrier fencing, a hand rail and cutting back of tree branches.
