The next major task the committee took on board was
to ' clean up ' the Church Walk area. The committee started to raise money and received funding from the Town Council and
the then District Council. The scheme was designed for entry into the European Heritage Year. Apart from the committee members
many residents joined the team and started to clear out the grass roots and weeds.
The verges were dug up and top soil added and a trench, two feet deep was dug to
run an electric cable across the walk to a standard lamp, that was made and erected for the scheme. An iron fence, made by
a local smith replaced a three bar fence. The broken stone pillars were straightened or replaced. Some of the outhouses were
repaired, re-roofed and generally tidied up.
The
area in front of the lych gate was paved with stone slabs which had been recovered from old stables, cottages and other buildings.
Eleven trees with a background of shrubs were planted on the verges of the walk, together with dwarf blue conifers were planted
behind the railings on the west side to form a hedge. Some of the work was contracted out but the majority was achieved by
the committee and their band of happy helpers. The new Church Walk was formally opened and dedicated in a ceremony by Bishop
Charles, which was attended by a large number of residents of the town.
The Committee and the Town were acknowledged for their endeavours to enhance the area, and were overjoyed by being
awarded with
' The Prince
of Wales European Architectural Award ' - 1977
