Unprecedented UK storms saw two businesses work together to salvage a brighter outcome from the devastation and find a sustainable future for some of the region’s uprooted trees.
Southport Pleasureland CEO Norman Wallis approached Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa with an offer of salvaging trees that fell prey to the storm – recycling them to form part of his ambitious plans to create a landmark international attraction.
Southport Pleasureland reopens for the 2022 season on Saturday, 26th March, with Recruitment Open Days taking place this Saturday and Sunday (5th and 6th March).
Norman Wallis said: “We have a keen focus on sustainability and recycling as we move forward.
“We want to use as much locally-sourced, sustainable material as we can as we work toward delivering something astonishing for the North.
“Formby Hall lost almost 40 trees and we felt making them part of the park’s future was the right thing to do.”
Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa Facilities and Maintenance Manager Ken Bennett was only too happy to help.
The grounds cover more than 300 acres and the holes on its 18 and 9 hole courses are divided by thousands of mature trees.
Ken said: “We were happy to see the fallen sycamore and oaks go somewhere where they can be used and enjoyed.
“Most of the trees would have been more than 50 years old, and we’re on sandy soil here, so the trees were more prone to falling in the high winds.
“To see the wood used in this way, and for such an exciting project makes the storm damage more bearable. We’ve already started our replanting programme.”
The wood has been de-barked and treated at Southport Pleasureland’s workshops and will form a significant part of the next chapter of the 100-year-old park’s history.
It will contribute to attractions from the park’s new Viking Golf experience through to a range of eco-friendly buildings.
The park provides jobs for around 150 people at a time each year with opportunities ranging from shifts, part-time, to full-time, and exciting careers with full training given and lots of opportunities for progression.
Two Recruitment Open Days take place 10am-2pm this Saturday (5th March) and Sunday (6th March) at Casablanca at Southport Pleasureland. All are welcome.
Free parking will be available in the Southport Pleasureland car park adjacent to Casablanca. Vacancies available will be promoted via the Southport Pleasureland website.
The Open Days will be followed by induction training, ahead of Southport Pleasureland opening for the 2022 season on Saturday, 26th March. The busy Easter holidays follow soon afterwards.
- Are you interested in a job at Southport Pleasureland? Please email: info@southportpleasureland.com or visit the Southport Pleasureland website: www.southportpleasureland.com
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