Offenders Praised For Park Task

Offenders who were sentenced to community service have been given a huge vote of thanks by Banbury Town Council for work described as ‘fantastic’ in People’s Park.

The praise comes after a group of people who had committed a range of crimes renovated 20 benches and refurbished other equipment in the park as part of their penalty.

The task included cleaning, sandpapering and polishing woodwork, repainting metal surfaces, and re-staining wooden fencing.

Adding gold leaf designs was a notable skill that attracted a special mention.

The results impressed councillors and council officers who said the offenders had done a remarkable job – something they should be proud of.

The community service project allows offenders to make amends in neighbourhoods they have harmed.

The Banbury group was supervised by probation officer Jennifer Jenner and overseen by placement coordinator Terri Saunders who said: “I think the group enjoyed doing something they can go back to in the future and say ‘I did that.’

“It is something they can be proud of and feel a sense of achievement.

“Community service isn’t just a punishment. It can open doors to perhaps new careers or new interests that steer them away from crime.”

Cllr Martin Phillips, chairman of the council’s general services committee, which oversees parks, said: “I was very impressed when I saw the finished project. It was a totally professional job and particularly impressive was the gold leaf work on some of the equipment.

“I doubt that anyone could have done it better – and members of the public who use the park will appreciate the effort that has been put in.”

Picture: Cllr Phillips (right), Paul Almond (Banbury Town Council’s Environment Officer), with Jennifer Jenner and Terri Saunders at one of the renovated benches.