Info cabinet set up at park

Cannock Chase District Council has installed the cabinet at the entrance to the park gates so visitors will be able to find out more.

The Friends of Cannock Park Association have given the new information point their thumbs up as well and have put the first pieces of information into the cabinet this week.

Maureen Freeman, Chairman of the Friends of Cannock Park Association, joined the council's new cabinet member for environment, Councillor Tony Williams, in placing the first pieces of information inside the cabinet.

They included an old photograph of the entrance to the park, historical information and contact details for the Friends of Cannock Park Association.

The new display cabinet completes the entrance to the park in Park Road, where new wrought iron gates were installed last year at a cost of £7,000.

The original gates mysteriously disappeared after being put in storage in 2002 during the construction of nearby flats after a vehicle leaving the park damaged a brick pillar, making the gates unstable.

For a long time there was no news of the gates' whereabouts until council officers at a community forum in April last year claimed they had been located and plans were afoot to put them back up.

But by March this year councillors on the authority's culture and sport select committee were calling for an investigation into the disappearance after red-faced officials confessed they had no idea where they were.

Councillor Tony Williams said: "The information display cabinet complements the splendid park gates and will also serve as a useful tool to inform people about past and future events at the park.

"We are pleased to be able to work closely with the Friends of Cannock Park Association in restoring the park and safeguarding its future."