New manager to take Whitlingham Country Park into exciting new era
Fitness enthusiast Russell Wilson has been appointed the new manager of Whitlingham Country Park, Trowse, on the outskirts of Norwich.
The former Leisure Development Officer for Norwich City Council and manager of Kelleline Country Park in Ireland, says he’s delighted with his appointment as the park was always a favourite spot for entertaining his family.
One of Russell’s first tasks is to finalise the development of the new Broads Authority visitor centre which is due to open in the flint barn on 1 April.
Russell, 36, who is bubbling with new ideas for the 280 acre park, said: “It’s an exciting time to be coming on board a forward looking organisation. The country park is really beginning to take off as an outdoor amenity right on the city’s doorstep, providing a wonderful breathing space for those seeking recreation on or off the water. There’s going to be lots going on here to bring people out of the city and into the Broads.”
Last August Norfolk County Council opened a multi-million pound water activity centre on the Great Broad offering canoeing, sailing, windsurfing and rowing facilities, and it is expected that the broad will soon become a centre of sporting excellence.
Russell, who took up his appointment less than two weeks after the birth of his fourth child, has already entered the Triathlon being held at the park on 2 July. In any spare time he is studying for a history degree at the Open University.
David Adler, Chairman of the Whitlingham Charitable Trust which manages the park, said: ”I am really delighted that Russell has joined us. His experience and outlook equips him well to take Whitlingham Country Park into this exciting new era.”
The country park, formed from gravel extraction, features two broads, beaches, woodland and wildlife walks. It won a national planning award for the category of ‘Planning for People and Places in Rural England'.
Whitlingham Charitable Trust is made up of representatives from the landowner, the Broads Authority, South Norfolk Council, Norwich City Council and Norfolk County Council. The post of Country Park Manager is funded through the generosity of Norfolk Environmental Waste Services (NEWS) which has also contributed substantial funds towards the new visitor centre.
28/02/2006
