A NEW committee is being sought to form an “all new” Friends of Whitehall Park.

The current group will step down in September after being labelled “undemocratic” by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

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Now new chairman Stephen Duncan is calling for a fresh approach in running the group and wants the people of Darwen to jump on board for “exciting changes”.

“The existing committee stated they would resign en-masse at the AGM in September – in their words ‘they have had enough of too much interference from people who didn’t want to know 12 years ago,” said Mr Duncan.

“They are ready to leave in September so without them I can’t do it alone. I am urging people to come forward and give just a little of their time,” he said.

Three other people are needed to volunteer for the main committee roles including a secretary, who would be responsible for keeping minutes and records, and a treasurer, to keep control of finances as well as a deputy chairman, to stand in for the chairman when he’s unavailable.

Volunteers of all ages are also being urged to join the Friends of Whitehall Park to give some “fresh ideas” to the board.

Hopes to turn the park’s cabin into a place where refreshments can be served over summer are also on the agenda.

“I have lots of exciting things planned for the park and there is so much potential. I want to open the doors for the summer at the cabin and perhaps get a toilet in there, too.

“But without public support the park will become neglected again like it was before the group first formed 12 years ago. It’s yours and your children’s as well as your grandchildren’s park and we don’t want to lose it so come and join,” said Mr Duncan.

The group also needs volunteers to offer spare time to get the park back into pristine condition with pruning, weeding and litter picking.

The row over being undemocratic broke out last year over voting arrangements for the group.

At the time Cllr Jim Smith, Blackburn with Darwen’s environment boss, praised the work done by the group but said: “The fact that you can join but cannot vote for a year is a very un-British way of doing things. It’s undemocratic.”

If you would like to volunteer to either join the committee or become a member and help call Mr Duncan on 07774 648 968.