THE newly created Kidderminster park has been named after a community champion who worked tirelessly for the town for nearly 60 years.
The park and green space on Worcester Street is to be named Talbot Park after Charles Talbot MBE, who died in 2019.
His many achievements include founding the Youth Centre, which earned him an MBE, being a founder Trustee of the Museum of Carpet, being involved in the campaign to create a Town Council for Kidderminster and his long involvement with twinning with Husum.
Charles served on Wyre Forest District Council for three years between 1976 and 1979 and was awarded the MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours in 2017 for services to the community.
The new park directly links up the youth centre on Bromsgrove Street, which Charles was instrumental in building when he was Mayor of Kidderminster in 1965/66 and was a founding trustee until his death.
The park, which connects Worcester Street with Bromsgrove Street, is set to be opened to the public in the Spring.
Jean Talbot, Charles’s widow, said: “We feel honoured that Charles’s life-long contribution and dedication to Kidderminster is being recognised in this way.
“The family has contributed to professional life and public service in Kidderminster with seven mayors spanning seven generations.
“We hope this park, this green space planted with trees, providing a new link through the centre of the town, will become a place of rest and relaxation, enjoyed by all for many generations to come.”
Coun Marcus Hart, Leader of Wyre Forest District Council, added: “I’m sure Charles would be very proud to see that we are keeping his memory alive by naming the park after him.
“We look forward to the formal launch of the park in the spring when the planting is fully completed.”
