Big-hearted National Grid volunteers will be rolling up their sleeves this week and enhancing Derby’s most visited park.
Employees from the energy network company normally work on major construction projects such as overhead powerlines, underground cables and electricity substations.
But on Wednesday and Thursday (6 and 7 July) they’ll be swapping the day job for a different kind of infrastructure venture – building a new path at Markeaton Park and sprucing up the historic Yew Walk area.
Over the two days, National Grid volunteers will create a smart new, log-lined path through the high profile Yew Walk, close to the Craft Village. The new path will steer walkers away from the roots of the ancient Yews, preserving the trees for future generations. Clearing overgrown areas, mulching shrub beds and putting in new plants will put the finishing touches to the new-look area.
The event is part of National Grid’s community volunteering programme. The programme encourages staff to use their existing skills – or learn new ones – to support worthwhile community causes.
Mumta Ladwa of National Grid said: “We’re delighted to be making such a popular park even more accessible for Derby residents and visitors.
“We are thrilled that so many of our staff have stepped forward to help out. Giving our time is one of the best ways that we can support the communities where we live, work and operate. It’s a great opportunity for our staff to develop their own skills and broaden their experiences – it’s also hugely rewarding.
“Our day jobs involve developing big energy construction projects so we’re feeling the pressure to make sure we do a good job on the path!”
Cllr Martin Rawson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities and City Centre Regeneration at Derby City Council, said: “This volunteer make-over of a section of Markeaton Park will be a great benefit to visitors of the Park. It builds on the great work that has already been carried out at Markeaton Park over recent years. It’s one of the most popular parks in the East Midlands with so much on offer to enjoy and I look forward to seeing the changes myself in the coming days.”
The improvements are part of the £3.4 million Markeaton Park restoration project.The project aims to transform this important and much loved historic park so that it can continue to provide an attractive, welcoming and well used green space that can be enjoyed by current and future generations.
Notes to editors - archive
National Grid is one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world and was named Responsible Business of the Year 2014 by Business in the Community. This accolade acknowledges all of our efforts in getting involve with the things that really matter to us and to society. We own and manage the grids that connect people to the energy they need, from whatever the source. In Britain and the north-eastern states of the US we run systems that deliver gas and electricity to millions of people, businesses and communities.
In Britain, we run the gas and electricity systems that our society is built on, delivering gas and electricity across the country. In the North Eastern US, we connect more than seven million gas and electric customers to vital energy sources, essential for our modern lifestyles.
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- We own the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales, operating it across Great Britain
- We own and operate the high pressure gas transmission system in Britain
- Our gas distribution business delivers gas to 10.9 million homes and businesses
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- Our portfolio of other businesses is mainly concerned with infrastructure provision and related services where we can exploit our core skills and assets to create value. These businesses operate in areas such as Metering, Grain LNG Import, Interconnectors and Property. National Grid Carbon Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of National Grid. It undertakes Carbon Capture Storage related activities on behalf of National Grid.
Find out more about the energy challenge and how National Grid is helping find solutions to some of the challenges we face at www.nationalgridconnecting.com
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