Malvern & Brueton Park

Malvern and Brueton Park
Brueton Park Lake, formed by the damming of the River Blythe
Type	Public park
Location	Solihull, U.K.
Coordinates	52°24′30″N 1°46′04″W / 52.4082°N 1.7678°W / 52.4082; -1.7678Coordinates: 52°24′30″N 1°46′04″W / 52.4082°N 1.7678°W / 52.4082; -1.7678
Area	130 acres (0.53 km2)
Created	1944 (1944)
Operated by	Solihull Council
Status	Open year round

Malvern & Brueton Park shown within the West Midlands

Malvern and Brueton Park is a town park and Local Nature Reserve in Britain. It is located in Solihull, West Midlands. The park is formed from a comparatively narrow strip of land, with the length being approximately ten times the average width, but it is looped forming a roughly U-shaped layout. The parks cover an area of approximately 130 acres (0.53 km²). Historically the park was formed by the joining of two separate parcels of different land. There is a large water feature, Brueton Park Lake, which runs through the southern end of the park, and is formed by the damming of a local watercourse, the River Blythe.^[1]

Description

Malvern Park entrance

Given the size and aspect of the park, the character of the land differs considerably along its length. The Malvern end of the Park acts as a formal town centre Park, and is within easy walking access to the main town shopping area. It also offers displays of formal floral arrangements and has a large children’s playground area.^[1] Malvern Park was laid out by the then Urban District Council in 1926 on land partly forming part of the estate of Malvern Hall and partly purchased from local farmers (Malvern Park Farm). Malvern Hall, which dates back to about 1690, still remains but is home now to St Martin's Independent School for Girls. The town centre entrance gateposts date from that year; the gates, like so much muncicipal ironwork, were requisitioned for scrap in the 1939-45 war and were never replaced.

The Prancing Horse and man statue within Malvern Park, by Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm

A statue, the Prancing Horse and Man dominates the ‘Malvern Park Avenue’. This powerful statue was made in 1874 by Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm (1834-90), Viennese-born Sculptor in Ordinary to Scotland, and is thought to represent Alexander the Great and his famous steed Bucephalas, which only he could control. It was purchased at auction by Captain Oliver Bird, of Bird's Custard, for his garden at Tudor Grange, but he donated it to the Solihull Council in 1945 and it was finally placed in Malvern Park in the Coronation year, 1953.

In contrast, the Brueton Park side is more devoted to wildlife, with a Local Nature Reserve, the lake and a grove of mature trees. There are several "species" of Oak including English, Turkey, Scarlet and Chestnut-leafed. There is only one species of Ash, but there are several "cultivars" of this species. These include Golden, Single-leafed and weeping Ash. There are also many conifers within the park and these include species such as Scots Pine, Bald Cypress and Giant Redwood .^[1]

The Warwickshire Wildlife Trust opened a conservation interpretation and education centre in 2002, which provides workshops, talks and demonstrations as well as providing for the parks toilet and café facilities.^[1]

The Park was given to the town by Mr Horace Brueton in 1944, which was formally part of Malvern Hall and the two Parks were linked in 1963.^[1]

The conservation area, in Brueton Park, received Local Nature Reserve status in 2002 in recognition for the Park's importance for wildlife. The Park contains the River Blythe Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Woodland, designated in 1989 by English Nature. The woods are important for oak, ash and alder trees as well as a carpet of wildflowers.^[1]

The parks became home to Brueton parkrun in July 2010. parkrun is a free weekly timed 5k run, walk or jog that starts at 9am on Saturday mornings. Over 120 people of all ages and ability take part every week.

Facilities

The park facilities and features include for:

• Car parking
• Play Area
• Tennis courts
• Toilets
• Café
• Flower beds,
• Ornamental gardens,
• Rose garden

Further Information

• [1] Warwickshire wildlife trust, Brueton visitor information
• [2] Warwickshire wildlife trust, Brueton Park Heritage Project.
• [3] A large map of the park
• [4] Brueton parkrun

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f} "Solihull Council Malvern and Brueton Park information". http://www.solihull.gov.uk/parks/malvernandbruetonparks.htm. Retrieved 27 March 2011. 

See also

• List of Local Nature Reserves in England