Local residents to get involved in Hilltop Shops facelift

Local residents are going to have their chance to say how they can help improve a Hatfield shopping parade as part of a fun community project on Saturday 3 February.

Welwyn Hatfield Council and Groundwork Hertfordshire have come together in a unique partnership to get local residents and businesses involved in improving the environment of Hill Top shops in HighView, Hatfield.

Two local ward members, the Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield Council, Councillor John Hawkins and Councillor Ron Wheeler, instigated the project by contacting Groundwork Hertfordshire to help with creating a sense of pride in the area.

The first part of the joint project will happen in the form of a community fun day for local residents and businesses on Saturday 3 February, between 10am – 1pm in front of the shopping parade.

Organised by Groundwork Hertfordshire, the county’s leading environmental charity, the day will include free art and music workshops and a story teller. During the event, ideas will be explored about the positives and negatives of the area as well as identify what can be done to remove or reduce problems.

Using these results, Groundwork Hertfordshire will then apply for funding to implement changes to the area by the end of 2007. Any changes planned will involve local young people, students, other residents and businesses with projects such as planting and clearance.

Councillor Alan Franey, Executive Member for Environment, who will be attending the event said: “I commend the work of my colleagues in initiating this project. The project shows how the local community can come together to do something positive and create a sense a pride in the area.”

Esther Rowland, Community Programmes Manager at Groundwork Hertfordshire said: “We are very much looking forward to regenerating this part of the estate and we would like to encourage as many residents to attend the event to have their say.”