A Cotswolds park providing holiday and residential lifestyles in one of England’s most delightful rural settings welcomed its local MP Nigel Huddleston this summer. The member for Droitwich and Evesham was the guest of Leedons Park, located near the picture-postcard village of Broadway, often referred to as the “Jewel of the Cotswolds”. The visit was designed to showcase the Holiday Park Community Engagement as part of the “Parks Make Places” campaign organised by the British Holiday & Home Parks Association.
The park, with its 220 residential park homes and 90 holiday homes, is part of the family-owned and five-strong Arden Parks group which can date its origins back to the 1930s.
The visit was also the chance for the MP to hear first-hand from holiday park directors Steve Baker and Joe Folkes about the close affinity Leedons enjoys with its holiday park community engagement programme with its neighbours.
It includes the creation of local working and training opportunities to help prevent the fragmentation of communities when younger people feel obliged to leave the area to find work.
Illustrating the principle in practice was the park’s longstanding team member and grounds worker Ian Ward who was introduced to Nigel Huddleston.
The MP presented Ian with a certificate marking the successful completion of his recent chainsaw course, sponsored by Leedons Park and equipping Ian with a lifelong transferable skill.
Steve and Joe also showed Mr Huddleston a showcase park home, and pointed out some of the park’s environmental initiatives made under the David Bellamy “Blooming Marvellous” scheme.
They included the creation of woodland wildlife habitats, and the maintenance of a wildflower meadow providing vital foraging for butterflies, honey bees and other pollinators.
“It was a very productive visit, and Nigel Huddleston said he was extremely impressed at how we were constantly raising the quality bar for residents and holiday guests,” said Steve.
“We also had the chance to raise a number of issues which could pose threats to our industry and prejudice our ability to work efficiently and maintain employment.
“Mr Huddleston listened carefully and took on board the concerns raised during the meeting. He recognises the crucial role that parks such as Leedons play in supporting the local economy, benefiting businesses, the people they employ, and the wider community,” added Steve.
More information at https://ardenparks.co.uk/holiday-leedons/
