I hope many readers heard the Open Country programme on Radio 4 on January 8. Southwick Country Park and the Well Being Project of the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, which works in the park, occupied the whole half hour.
Interviews with the members of the project showed how important being and working in the park was to the mental health of many people. It must save the NHS a lot of money. And, I suspect that it is just as important to the mental condition of many others who just go to the park for recreation, relaxation and fresh air.
It is totally free therapy – except for perhaps the cost of getting there. Perhaps GPs could prescribe it for some of their patients? Wiltshire Council should be congratulated for maintaining it as such a valuable community resource.
So, I invite readers to go for a walk in the park – or, better still, come for a “work” in the park with myself and other volunteers. At present we have two work mornings each month. Look me up in the phone book if you want more information.
David Feather, Broadley Park, North Bradley, Trowbridge.
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