PRINCE Rupert Green will once again be a focus for community spirit at a Family Fun Day, the second to be held at the New Mills venue.

In 2014, local residents who were dismayed by the standard of council grass cutting on the green received a £600 grant from Herefordshire Council, with the proviso that members of the Prince Rupert Green Community Group should take on grass-cutting duties on the Green for the next three years.

The group was so successful in its duties, the Prince Rupert Green project is being held up by the council as a shining example for other county groups to emulate.

Although no further council cash will be forthcoming for the group, the fund-raising and community events will continue.

Group spokesman, Andrew Warmington said: "The Prince Rupert Green Community Group will hold its second annual picnic on the Green, together with a Family Fun Day on Saturday August 22, from 3pm to 6pm.

"Last year’s first event drew upwards of 200 people to the Green at the heart of the New Mills Estate and we are hoping to match that again this year."

Among the events and stalls, all managed by residents of the roads around the Green, will be football skills, welly wanging, archery, crafts, face painting and quoits. Visitors will also be able to enjoy refreshments at the Pimms and cider stall, or enjoy tea and coffee, cakes, hot dogs or burgers.

Mr Warmington, who is also a town and county councillor said: "The Community Group began in July, 2014 when residents, dissatisfied at the state of the Green when the grass was cut irregularly and left behind, came out to bale it up and take it away so that children could play on the Green again.

"Since then, aided by a grant from Hereford Council but mostly financed by funds raised by the two events held last year, they have managed to get the Green cut regularly by a local contractor and have also created a whole neighbourhood feel to the estate.

"It will be the second time that the Prince Rupert Green Community Group has staged such an event, following a highly successful community picnic last August."

That late summer event, on Prince Rupert Green on the New Mills estate, raised £1,300, toward the upkeep of the Green.

Group member David Hart said at the time: "We want people to know the green is a community area. It's the kid's play area."

The group also organised a Halloween event on the Green last year, on Friday, October 31, as a big thank you for community support.