Work is under way to revamp Dudley Priory Park pavilion
Work to extend the visitors' pavilion in Dudley's historic Priory Park has begun as part of a £2.6million lottery-funded revamp project.
Diggers are on site to remove the retaining walls behind the building and dig out the foundations and courtyard area. Once the extension is built, it will offer a modern visitor centre with educational and community facilities as well as public toilets. It will also act as a base for the park rangers. Artwork is also being installed around the park.
This includes a bronze statue of Dudley-born tennis star Dorothy Round, which has been designed by pupils from Castle High School, Priory Primary and Dudley College.
Miss Round was born in 1908 and attended Dudley Girls' High School.
She won Wimbledon in 1934 and 1937 and used to train in Priory Park before she died in 1982.
Medieval tiles and interpretation boards will also be installed by the Priory ruins.
"There is going to be a revamped bowling green and football pitch and also an avenue of trees," said green spaces team leader Liz Stuffins. "It's going to be fantastic when it's finished."
As part of the work, footpaths are being repaired and new signs installed.
The Friends of the Priory Park and Green and Dudley Council applied for just under £1.8m of funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the project.
The Priory was first founded by the Lord of Dudley, Gervase Paganell, in the 12th Century, and was closed by the infamous Henry VIII in the 1530s. During the 1930s, the grounds became a park.
