Grundon grant boosts café culture

There’s nothing like a warming cuppa after a brisk country walk and last week marked the official opening of the newly-refurbished riverside terrace and café at Colne Valley Park Visitor Centre in Denham Country Park.

Grundon Waste Management provided a £100,000 grant from the Landfill Communities Fund, enabling a new roof to be added to the renovated terrace and allowing visitors to enjoy views over the River Misbourne.

The funding was also used to build an adventure playground area which opened last summer, and has already proved a big hit by nearly doubling visitor numbers.

Anthony Foxlee-Brown, Grundon’s marketing & communications manager, commented: “We are always delighted to be able to help support the communities in and around our locations and this is a great example of an initiative which benefits local people. We have no doubt that the playground and the new-look café will be extremely popular with young and old alike.”

Overall, more than £150,000 has been invested in the project, which has included the refurbishment of the café and toilets, and the introduction of a new nature trail in the park. Other contributors have included Heathrow Community Fund and Heart of Bucks.

Time for tea: (l-r) Debbie Valman, Anthony Foxlee-Brown, Grundon director, Bradley Smith and Groundwork South’s executive director Gary Jacobs.

Debbie Valman, project manager at Groundwork South, said: “We have been delighted to bring so much investment into the park and the centre and to see so many people enjoying the new facilities.”

Future plans include a new Eco Hub and kiosk in the park this summer, and additional seating.

Through the Landfill Communities Fund, Grundon is an ongoing supporter of Colne Valley Park. The Fund helps benefit the lives of people who live close to landfill sites by awarding grants for environmental, heritage and community projects.