TWO friends have been recognised by a new initiative celebrating Wrexham and its people after showing you are never too old to help your community.

After 18 months of uncertainty during the pandemic, Wrexham Lager and F Jones Food Service created the The F Jones Initiative.

The most recent people to be recognised are Sylvia Higgins and Peter Guntripp, who were nominated by the Friends of Bellevue Park for their actions in keeping the park looking beautiful.

Sylvia and Peter are friends who regularly meet up and walk their dogs, Jess and Seth, in Bellevue Park.

This year, the Royal British Legion donated two triple planters for flowers to the Friends of Bellevue Park to stand either side of the First World War monument.

Peter has been a stalwart of the community for many years and with his family has run many businesses in Wrexham, including fruit and veg shops in Rhosddu, Lord Street, and in the People's Market.

He also ran Baby First shops in Gresford and Wrexham and the Abbotsfield Hotel, now The Lemon Tree.

At 92 years of age, he lives independently across the road from his eldest daughter Elaine and family.

Unbeknown to the Friends of Bellevue Park, Sylvia and Peter noticed that the flowers in the planters were starting to wilt.

They took it upon themselves to devise a plan to keep the flowers alive.

At 6am, every other morning during the summer, Sylvia and Peter went to the park and watered the planters.

Sylvia filled up a large water butt with sprayer, loaded it onto a trolley and wheeled it the 15 minutes to the park. Peter loaded several containers of water into the boot of his car and drove them to the park. They watered the planters together and kept them alive for everyone to enjoy and admire during the summer weeks.

The Friends of Bellevue Park only got to hear about Peter’s part in this but, when Peter realised that they had nominated him, he insisted that Sylvia be included in the nomination.

Both Peter and Sylvia go regularly to help keep the park clean and tidy. They feel it has been a godsend to their community, to have such a lovely space to visit, during the pandemic.

Peter still gets up at 6am every morning to walk Seth in the park, with Sylvia and Jess. They have many other friends that they meet up with there.

They even held a surprise 90th birthday for Peter there, with the bandstand festooned with balloons and tables laden with bacon butties for all his friends and family.

Jon Roberts, Director at Wrexham Lager, said: "We loved how their story highlights that you are never too old to make a difference and that if you see something that needs doing, and you think you can help in any way, don’t wait to be asked.

"Sylvia and Peter’s story also emphasises how important our public green spaces are, to the communities that surround them."

  • Bellevue Park is hosting the traditional Christmas lights switch on this year, it transforms into a magical winter wonderland today (November 26) from 4pm. There will be stalls selling crafts and refreshments, including a hog roast, fish and chips, hot dogs, hot mince pies, Wrexham Lager and mulled wine and hot chocolate.