A HUDDERSFIELD park has received £46,500 from the Government to help restore its original Victorian features.

Beaumont Park, Huddersfield’s oldest public park, has received the grant from the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund, which is supported by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The money from the fund is given out by English Heritage to projects which reduce the impact made on historical environments by the extraction of aggregates – sand, gravel and crushed rock.

The grant for Beaumont Park will be spent on restoring the original lower entrance, which is currently hidden in a woodland dell.

After six weeks of work, a stone arch with castle walls and iron gates will be revealed to provide an impressive gateway into the park.

The walls and gates will be repaired, cleaned and repainted.

Clr Liz Smaje, Kirklees Council Cabinet member for leisure, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to restore a very special and unique feature within the park. Coupled with other improvements in the pipeline, this is a very exciting time for Beaumont Park.”

Andy Wimble, of English Heritage, said quarrying and transport of gravel and sand have had an impact on communities near Beaumont Park.

“What we are trying to do is lessen this impact by helping to ensure that deteriorating but much-loved historic buildings are repaired.”

The restoration of the entrance is the latest in a long line of efforts being made to improve the park.

The Friends of Beaumont Park group have been instrumental in the work and have recently planted 10,000 snowdrops and native bluebells.

They are also organising a grand open day on April 27 to show off the improvements so far.

Beaumont Park was opened in 1883 by the Duke and Duchess of Albany.

It had a pool, cascade, fountain, bandstand and ‘castle’ as well as the grand lower entrance, pictured.

But over the years the park fell into neglect.

Now, the Friends of Beaumont Park are restoring the amenity to its former glory, with a play area and visitor centre being among the latest additions.

For more details about the group, ring 01484 645217.