A GROUP of senior pupils at Lomond School in Helensburgh have joined the volunteer workforce helping with the regeneration of Hermitage Park.

As part of the school’s new S6 Enrichment curriculum, some of the school’s S6 year group have committed to regular volunteering at Hermitage Park, helping with the clearing of overgrown areas and the moving of a number of large shrubs.

Recently, they have been assisting with work to clear the Japanese Garden, and have achieved a great deal in only a small number of hours.

Lucy Murray, a boarder at Lomond and Head of Burnbrae House, said: “It has been really hard work, but it’s amazing how much can be achieved and it’s been fun to do something a bit different.”

The Hermitage Park regeneration project has been awarded £2,333,300 from the Heritage Lottery Fund which will be used to build a new pavilion as well as regenerating the A-listed war memorial, Japanese Garden and wishing well.

There are also plans to introduce a multi-use sports facility and the children’s play area will be moved and upgraded.

However, while this funding is a crucial part of the project, it is the support received by the many volunteers involved which will see it come to its fruition.

The Friends of Hermitage Park holds regular work parties in the area as part of volunteer support for the regeneration project which is estimated to be worth almost £130,000.

Hermitage Park delivery officer Melissa Simpson said: “When complete, Hermitage Park will be a showpiece urban green space. The £3.3 million restoration and regeneration is a huge project for the area.

"We are looking forward to working with many more groups to Grow our Park Together and really appreciate the efforts of the Lomond School pupils.

"We’re sure they will have benefitted from the experience and will be encouraged to continue be involved in similar community schemes.”

Argyll and Bute Council, which owns the facility, announced earlier this month that most of the park had been closed to the public on health and safety grounds because of an increase in the level of work taking place, after the spell of warm weather at the beginning of May attracted a large number of people to the only urban park in Argyll and Bute.

The project's other funders include the Sustrans Community Links programme (£300,000), the Armed Forces Covenant Fund (£250,000), the War Memorial Trust (£60,000) and the Friends of Hermitage Park Association (£20,000), while the council is also providing £280,000 for the work from its own reserves.