Our new park rules (PDF document) have now been completed after consultation with the residents, and are now with North Kesteven District Council and on their website.  

As part of a way to develop the meadow and increase the floristic diversity in the woodland area we decided to plant 1000 blue bells with the help of residents.

We thank everyone for their help to achieve our 15th year of consecutive Gold’s with David Bellamy. We have now received our formal report and some of the comments included – “the residents gardens are all well managed and full of flowers and attract a lot of wildlife” – “the overall impression is of an attractive well tendered residential park with mature gardens and completely litter free”

One of our residents has had a mother duck making use of their shed roof as a nesting ground. The ducklings needed a good bit of encouragement by mum to make the big jump out of the nest! But all are doing fine and finding the various ponds on the park for their swimming lessons.  

In the meadow we have sown a large area of seeds with native annuals in our national colours of Red, White and Blue as a mark of respect for the centenary of the start of WW1. We have put a seat nearby to enable us to sit and reflect on the influences this has had on our families over the years.

We have again been awarded a David Bellamy Gold Award for Conservation. We are the only residential park to have gained the award for 14 consecutive years. Residents comments, cards and pictures played an important role in gaining our award and it is through the consistent efforts of everyone on the park that we earn the award. Extract From David Bellamy Letter “I am writing to congratulate you and your team on your fantastic gold award. You should be very proud of the work you have done to help Britain’s wildlife – which, as you know, needs all the help it can get at the moment. Having read through your assessment, I’d just like to say that I am particularly impressed by the effectiveness of your butterfly garden and by the fact that your owners’ gardens are well looked after and attract a lot of wildlife. Give them all a cheer from me.”  

We organised a special briefing with Age UK Kesteven for the Residents of the park on the support services which are available to them in south Lincolnshire. The well attended briefing was delivered by support experts Teresa Stevens and Nicky McNulty, they outlined ways in which the charity assists older folk including services such as help in the home, advice on staying fit and healthy, meeting new friends.

We held a successful Open Weekend receiving positive comments on the parks location, setting and layout.

As First Responders become more qualified, they are able to attend call outs that involve children and babies. The money has purchased a junior resuscitation mannequin, Charlie, as well as two baby resuscitation mannequins, Freddy and Fredericka. These training aids will be beneficial in training the different techniques used in treating children and babies. It is reassuring to know that there will be more LIVES First Responders able to attend incidents where children and babies are involved. Any remaining money went towards new uniforms for the group. The residents and owners of The Orchards Park have raised over £11,000 since April 2000 for LIVES. There are now two LIVES First Responder groups in Ruskington. All the money raised in an area goes to the local group. Some of the LIVES volunteers are looking towards a career in medical professions. If there are sufficient First Responders to man the rota, a 999 call will also activate the local First Responder volunteer. They arrive in a very short space of time with a defibrillator, oxygen as well as other equipment. It is reassuring to have them in attendance, knowing that, if necessary, they will use the equipment to help to keep the patient alive until the ambulance and paramedics arrive. Sometimes it is difficult for them to find the property. PLEASE HAVE YOUR HOUSE NUMBER CLEARLY VISIBLE FROM THE ROAD. If at night, please put all lights on to attract attention. EVERY SECOND COUNTS in saving a life. If you are interested in volunteering for any LIVES First Responders group, please contact LIVES HQ telephone 01507 525999.