News & Updates

Park Fitness brings accessible, outdoor group training to Verdin Park, alternating between instructors Beth (BRH Fitness, a Level 3 qualified PT) and Josh (JM Fitness) across twelve sessions throughout August. Each session is a little different — a mix of bodyweight exercise, cardio, weights, and circuit-style training — and all abilities are welcome. See the full timetable on the Park Fitness page.

Picnic in the Park brought residents together on the open lawn near the play area for an afternoon of blankets, sunshine, and games. The undoubted highlight was the rounders, coached and organised by Darren Wilks of DW Sports Coaching, who ran matches for players of all ages. Thank you to everyone who came along, and to Darren for giving his time so generously — together we raised £42 for the Group.

The AGM was held at Winnington Youth Club, Northwich, on Saturday 4th July 2026. Members voted to formally adopt the Group's constitution, then elected Richard George as Chair, Carol Ellis as Secretary, and Caits George as Treasurer. Thank you to everyone who attended, voted, and stood for election. Not yet a member? Membership is currently free and open to all who support the Group's purpose. Full AGM documents and outcomes are available on the AGM 2026 page.

On a sunny Saturday morning, participants gathered on the lawns of Verdin Park for an hour of gentle, flowing Tai Chi, moving through the sequence in the open air with the park's mature trees as a backdrop. Like the May session, it was warm, welcoming, and a great advert for what the park can be used for. We are enormously grateful to Jo Perry, who gave her time and expertise so generously to make both sessions happen. If you'd like to find out more about Jo's classes and what she offers, we thoroughly recommend visiting her website — or you can reach Jo directly at holistictaichi@gmail.com or on 07814 146062.

Town Councillors Arthur Neil and Felicity Davies have approved our grant application for £1,215 — covering the cost of two wooden planters and plants. The planters will be filled with herbs and vegetables and will be built by Pete at Grow Zone, the community garden and horticulture project based at Old Danes Nursery in Northwich. We've also had a productive meeting with the Cheshire West and Chester Council parks team, who have agreed to deliver the planters to site once built, supply the soil, and water them on an ongoing basis. Friends of Verdin Park will take responsibility for planting and maintaining them. It's a genuine partnership — and a lovely addition to the park. We'll share photos once the planters are in place.

The session was led by Jo Perry of Holistic Tai Chi, who gave her time freely to bring something a little different to the park. Over the course of an hour, participants — many of them first-timers — moved through a gentle flowing sequence on the open lawn, with the park's mature trees and blue sky as a backdrop. Turnout was wonderful, and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. It was the first of two sessions Jo ran for us that summer, both of which raised money for Friends of Verdin Park.

Our second litter pick of the year took place on Valentine's Day 2026 — a fitting occasion to show some love for the park. Volunteers spread across the site collecting litter and bagging it up, continuing the work started at our first pick in November. Many thanks to everyone who gave up their Saturday morning. These events make a visible difference to the park and are a great way to meet fellow supporters. Keep an eye on our Facebook group for the next one.

Wrapped up in hi-vis and armed with litter pickers, a team of volunteers gathered at Verdin Park on a November morning for our very first organised litter pick. In just a couple of hours the group covered a significant stretch of the park, filling bags with litter that had accumulated over the season. It was a fantastic first effort and set the tone for what we hope will become a regular fixture in the park calendar. Thank you to everyone who came along.

Northwich Town Council has invested in wildflower planting at Verdin Park across several years, with the area expanded again in 2024 and 2025. Council minutes from February 2024 record 'increased wildflower areas in Witton Cemetery and Verdin Park', and the 2025 Annual Report states that wildflower meadows were planted out again 'to encourage biodiversity in Verdin Park and Witton Cemetery.' A July 2025 council publication encouraged residents to visit: 'Wildflower Meadows — these are now in full flower and looking amazing.' Friends of Verdin Park warmly welcomes and supports this work. It is also, we would note, a vivid illustration of the park's growing ecological value — which makes the case for protecting every part of it all the more compelling.

Following months of community discussion and organising, Friends of Verdin Park was formally established in summer 2025. A founding committee has been appointed on an interim basis to steward the organisation until the first AGM, at which the constitution will be formally adopted and the committee elected by the membership. We warmly invite all those who care about the park to get involved.