Community volunteers from Wasdale, Barrow, Asby, Newbiggin and Burgh by Sands came together yesterday (8 December) at a workshop held in Great Asby. All who attended the workshop share a common belief that the open green spaces within our communities are a valuable resource worth protecting.

Through their involvement with the 'Our Green Space' project funded by Friends the Lake District and the Heritage Lottery, the five communities have been able to undertake ambitious projects to develop, enhance, research and celebrate the heritage and culture relating to their village greens or community green spaces.

The project began in January last year and runs for another year, and the latest workshop enabled the five community groups to show their progress so far, as well as an opportunity to try feltmaking. Great Asby showed off their new felt pew runner they have made recently to celebrate 'Our Green Space', which was inspired by autumn leaves on the greens.

In Great Asby, where there are six registered village greens, many community members have come together to work on the various aspects of the project. This includes oral and documentary history research, website development, encouraging biodiversity and wildlife on the greens and celebrations and festivals, one of which was a well dressing festival at Great Asby which took place in June involving all the children at the local school.

Project Officer, Carol Douglas said: 'It was very inspiring to see the enthusiasm of community volunteers involved in 'Our Green Space' and to hear about the achievements being made by all five communities. The project is proving very successful in bringing people together, sharing experiences and helping communities to enjoy the culture, history and environment of their local green spaces'.

For more information on 'Our Green Space' visit www.ourgreenspace.org.uk, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephone: 015397 20788.

Our Green Space is a Cumbria-wide three-year partnership project running from Jan 2008 to Dec 2010. The project is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund's 'Your Heritage' grant scheme. It is run in partnership by Friends of the Lake District and Action for Communities in Cumbria, Other partners include Cumbria County Council and CVS. The project aims are to celebrate and enhance the heritage, cultural, environmental and community value of open green spaces in Cumbria for all to enjoy.

1. The five community schemes are:

Burgh By Sands
The local community hope to increase access to their newly registered village green, enabling people to enjoy it more. The area is being landscaped for recreation, events and fairs, while one end of the site has a newly created pond and wildlife area. The site will be used to celebrate the importance of the Roman influence on the village and the old Carlisle canal and steam railway.

Asby
The community of Great and Little Asby which lies across the fell have devised a mainly historical documentary based project working closely with the village school, local crafts people and volunteers.

Newbiggin
The community around Newbiggin have restored two wells, one on a village green, the other on common land. The enclosed areas surrounding the wells will be managed for wildlife, the walls restored and footpaths improved. The site's history and natural heritage is also being explored and interpretation created to complement events that are bringing the community together to enjoy the legacy of green spaces.

Wasdale Head and Nether Wasdale
The Registered Village Green at Wasdale Head and Registered Village Green at Nether Wasdale are both a focal point for this community project. Drainage and boundary works are being undertaken on both greens and community events are being held to celebrate their green space. The green at Nether Wasdale is home to one of only two listed maypoles in the country and the project has included it's renovation and relocation back to its original position on the village green.

Barrow-in-Furness, Green Heart Den
The Marsh Street Arches and Garden Project CIC has transformed an old rail yard into a green oasis in the middle of an otherwise urban landscape. The park named by local school children as 'The Green Heart Den' has brought together many different sectors of the community including the police, schools, community groups and students to work to celebrate the social and industrial history of the area and enjoy activities and events in this newly developed valuable community space.