January, 14 saw the restoration and renewal of Hermitage Park come one big step closer.

The Helensburgh & Lomond Area Committee gave its unanimous support for Argyll & Bute Council to apply to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for a restoration project costing between �2.5 and �2.8M. This will now go to the next full Argyll & Bute Council for approval. It is hoped that HLF will put up around 85% of the cost with the Council funding the rest.

Friends Chairman Chris Packard was delighted by the Councillors' decision. "There's now a light at the end of the tunnel. Over two years hard work by a band of volunteers, working with Council staff, has gone into this. It started in November 2011 with a drive to carry out clearance work within the Park itself, principally around the Millig Burn. Overgrown bushes have been removed and overhanging trees cut back. The odd supermarket trolley has been fished out the Burn and work begun elsewhere in the Park clearing overgrown vegetation and clearing out litter. And the Friends will carry on with this once the weather improves." What happens next? The project starts with a Stage 1 application funds from the HLF to appoint a landscape consultant to draw up a detailed improvement plan for the Park. The application has to be in by 28 February and assuming the bid is successful the consultant should start work in the summer and finish in early 2014. Central to this will be extensive public consultation for without it HLF will not support any proposal from us.

Local residents will be asked what changes and improvements they want made to their Park. These could range from improved paths and lighting, exciting plants, trees and shrubs, a new caf� and a much wider range of recreational facilities. The possibilities are endless. Out of this will come the Stage 2 application for the �2.5-�2.8M to actually carry out the planned improvements.

Drawing up The Stage 1 bid Chris stressed has been a "real joint effort between the Friends, Council managers and Park employees." While the Friends started the initiative it is great they are as excited about delivering a new Hermitage Park as we are. We are working closely together and when the Stage 1 application is approved by HLF things will really begin to happen. All being well the new and improved Hermitage Park will open its doors in 2016. In the mean time we shall carry on with our work improving the Park we all love."