HISTORIC park gates in Huddersfield have finally been restored to their former glory.

The imposing lower entrance to Beaumont Park has been restored by local firms, Myers Blacksmiths and Jagger & Son.

The lower entrance is one of the original features of Beaumont Park, the oldest park in Huddersfield.

The grant of about £50,000 has enabled Kirklees Council’s Parks and Open Spaces section to organise repairs to the stone walls and cast iron gates that form the atmospheric gateway to the Park.

The Friends of Beaumont Park worked closely with the council to make the project a real success. The Friends have carried out a lot of improvements to the landscape around the Park, clearing the Castle area, removing ivy from the walls, cutting back overgrown shrubberies and planted thousands of snowdrops, bluebells and daffodils throughout the woodland.

Much of the work has been done by volunteers from their membership but the Friends have had invaluable help from Huddersfield Rotary Club, 79th and 105th Huddersfield Guide Companies and the Probation Service.

An opening ceremony will be held on Sunday April 27, with the official opening of the gates to be conducted by the Mayor of Kirklees, Clr Jean Calvert, at 2pm.

The gates will open at 1pm to the public who will be able to enjoy an afternoon for the whole family with a range of activities taking place, including a Punch and Judy show, a performance by the Lindley Brass Band, guided tours of the gates, refreshments and much more.

Clr Liz Smaje, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Neighbourhood Services, said: “Beaumont Park is one of our finest parks and this project will only improve it for the future.

“The generous funding from the ALSF, together with the commitment of Council officers and English Heritage is greatly appreciated.

“It also cannot be overlooked that the community has played a major part in the scheme through the Friends group, which stands as a testament to the Council’s commitment to working in partnership with local residents to bring about real improvements which address local needs.”

The work was done with funding from the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund, partly distributed by English Heritage on behalf of DEFRA to reduce the impact of aggregate extraction on the historic environment, both on land and under the sea.

Sarah Cole, Aggregates Levy Sustainability Advisor from English Heritage, said: “We are very pleased that the fund has helped to restore a beautiful place for the enjoyment of the local community.”