HELPING HEARTS DONATES £500 TO FUN DAY IN COVENTRY'S MOST HISTORIC PARK

The Heart of England Co-operative Society has donated £500 towards a family fun day in Coventry's most historic park.
 
The money, from the Society's Helping Hearts Award Scheme, will be used towards the event at Caludon Park in Farren Road, Wyken, on Sunday August 15th.
 
This is the third year running the Friends of Caludon Park have organised the event following a gap of more than a quarter of a century. The previous two fun days have attracted visitors from across Coventry.
 
Gary Haigh, an organiser from the Friends of Caludon Park, said this year's fun day promised bags of fun for all the family. Among the attractions is The Swords of Chivalry living history group whose displays will give visitors a flavour of life at the 14th Century Caludon Castle, situated in the park. Members will bring along replica armour, swords and other weapons for visitors to handle.
 
There will also be displays from The Friends of Caludon Park, Culture, Leisure and Libraries, West Midlands Police and Fire, Impact Tae Kwon Do, St John Ambulance, Kits Soccer Academy, the 3rd Coventry Scout Group, Griffin Inn and Clickers dog training club.
 
Gary added: "When we held the first fun day a couple of years ago we had some excellent feedback which inspired us to make it an annual event. Last year's event was even more successful and it is our hope to build on this year on year. These fun days are an ideal way of bringing the community together and celebrate this truly wonderful facility which is a real jewel in Coventry's crown."
 
Within the park are the ruins of the 14th century Caludon Castle. In the past the castle has been home to some of the most powerful families in England – including the Earl Marshall of England, the Duke of Norfolk, High Sheriffs, the Segraves, Mowbrays, Berkeleys and the Cliffords – all of which were also Lords of the Manor of Caludon.
 
Gary said: "Our sincere thanks to the Heart of England Co-operative Society for this generous donation towards our annual family fun day. The money has allowed us to organise a whole host of events and attractions and it promises real fun for all the family."
 
Jo Dyke, Community and Membership Adviser of the Society, said: "The whole idea of the Helping Hearts Award Scheme is to benefit neighbourhoods across our trading area and to bring communities together. What better way to do this than family fun days? We are only too delighted to support the Friends of Caludon Park and look forward to attending the event ourselves."
 
The Society will hold a series of Fairtrade tastings at the event. It is also loaning one of its funeral limousines for a competition asking visitors to guess the number of balloons inside the vehicle."