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Home Claybury Park officially opened by HRH The Duke of Gloucester

7 September 2010

Press release number:PR1149

His Royal Highness, The Duke of Gloucester has officially opened Claybury Park, celebrating the transfer of the park to Council ownership.Visit to Claybuy park

The visit, on Monday 6 September, also included a tour of the Borough’s oldest library at Gants Hill following its refurbishment earlier this year.

A commemorative stone was unveiled at the Park’s ‘London’ viewing point to mark the visit and HRH wVisit to Claybury parkas given details of the park’s history and its flora and fauna.  The woods and park cover around 70 hectares and are known locally for a variety of woodland spring flowers, including bluebells, mature trees and fungi.

Cllr Jim O'Shea, Mayor of Redbridge, greeted His Royal Highness at the park and made a speech of introduction as the stone was unveiled.

HRH The Duke of Gloucester spoke about the importance of parks and green spaces in London and the beauty of Claybury Park, he said, "It's a great pleasure to be playing a small part in this big occasion."Duke of Gloucester opening Claybury Park

Cllr Sue Nolan, Cabinet Member for Leisure said,
"It's a real honour to receive a visit from HRH The Duke of Gloucester and I'm really pleased we have been able to commemorate the transfer of Claybury Park in such a special way.  The Borough is lucky to have many parks and open spaces.  Claybury Park is a real treasure and already enjoyed by many residents and I’m sure many will continue to enjoy it for generations to come." 

At Gants Hill Library, HRH was shown key features including new self service counters, the new youth library area, newly located children's library and refurbished study area.

The improvement works were sympathetic to the buildings original features and included the conversion of the former library counter to a seating area.Visit to library

Cllr Ruth Clark, Deputy Mayor of Redbridge and Gants Hill Champion, said,
"The refurbishment of Gants Hill Library looks really good and has been very popular with local residents since reopening in April.  It has made the space look really modern and inviting and it was a pleasure to show HRH The Duke of Gloucester what we’ve done here."

This was HRH The Duke of Gloucester’s second visit to Redbridge in two years. He opened Valentines Mansion following its restoration in February 2009.