CLIFFE Castle’s Friends group has been recognised for the central role it played in spearheading multi-million pound improvements to the park.

Cliffe Castle Park Conservation Group has been given a Service Excellence Team award by Bradford Council to recognise the efforts of members over several years.

The volunteers gathered on the steps of the new Dome house to jointly receive the award during the official reopening of the park this month.

The formation of a Conservation Group was one of the council’s first moves when it set out to bid for Heritage Lottery Fund cash for improvements.

Such public involvement was vital in securing the £3.5 million grant from the lottery to return Cliffe Castle Park to its Victorian splendour.

Members have remained heavily involved with the project throughout the planning, design and construction phases of the restoration.

Jennifer Smith, a leading member of the Conservation Group, gave an opening speech before cutting the ribbon to reopen the park.

Around 3,000 visitors went inside Cliffe Castle Museum during a special day to mark the park’s reopening.

They were entertained by Santa Claus, a vintage barrel organ and a carol service, with Ingrow and Long Lee Primary School pupils singing carols.

Outside there was a Christmas market, Christmas tree stiltwalkers, performances by the Herr Jens Brass Band.

The Heritage Lottery Fund’s Parks for the People fund provided £3.5million towards the restoration work, with Bradford Council providing a further £1 million.