The Friends of Priory Park and the Green based in Dudley is a voluntary group which was set up in 2002 to work towards reducing the vandalism, anti-social behaviour and arson occuring in the park and to stop it becoming a no - go zone.
A small, but dedicated committee have worked very hard and today the group's membership is approaching 800. Many live on Priory Estate and are very proud of this and of course the association with Duncan Edwards. There are people still living on the Priory today who remember Duncan as a child kicking a football against a wall at the bottom of Elm Road.
The group, in association with Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, managed to secure £100,000 from the New Opportunities Lottery Fund with a project "Transforming your Space".
A double sized tennis court which was vandalised has been refurbished with a multi - use games area. Furthermore an existing play area has been enhanced and two further double courts refurbished for tennis.
The people of Dudley are very proud of the historic town, the castle , the zoo and the Priory Ruins , also the social history and so the group felt compelled to commemorate the games area to Duncan Edwards.
The Grand Opening Gala takes place on 16th February 2006, from 11.00AM onwards. The multi-use Games Area will be officially opened by Sir Bobby Charlton and a plaque unveilled dedicated to the memory of Duncan Edwards.
For all information on The Friends activities, newsletters and events please visit the website.