Red House Park in 2010
January
2010 started with a long cold spell and lots of snow, the coldest winter for 31 years.
These pictures have been contributed by local residents.
February
New Poster Boards have been installed. at the Newton Road and Wilderness
lane entrances. 
Tarmacing has been completed at the Newton Road entrance and this does seem
to have improved the flooding problems
at the gate.
March
The new Pathfinder play area was installed
The play area and monument were officially opened by the Lord Mayor on 25th March.
The new plaque on the restored obelisk was unveiled by Sandwell's mayor, councilor Geoff Lewis and Bill Gunn, chair of the Friends of Red House Park.
June
On 7th June David Brown of Sandwell MBC met the Friends of Red House Park to advise them of a recommendation to sell the house that was to be discussed on 9th June. An extract from this meeting - "Sandwell Corporate Property has produced a report going to cabinet on 9th June 2010. The Report states that extensive research has been done on alternative uses of the House. All concluded that maintaining the House for community use was not feasible. The Community Services within the Council have stated that they do not want the House so the alternative is to allow it to be sold to a Developer. Although the Friends do not accept all possible uses of the House have been explored, the other real concern that if the House is sold it will be demolished and an apartment block will be built in its place. They also voiced their concern that the rose beds that the Friends have nearly finished planting would also be replaced along with the play areas. We were told that this was not the case. Bill Gunn said that to keep the Red House for community use had been the Group’s main aim and the reason it was formed The Group has fought hard to preserve its future getting together a signed petition and attending many meetings to highlight its merits. They are extremely disappointed with the news from David Brown (Sandwell MBC)." Full notes on meeting.
At the council meeting held on 9th June a proposal to sell the Red House was put on hold. Objections were raised on the grounds of massive opposition from local people.The Friends of Red House Park said it objects to the planned sell off and more than 3,000 people have signed a petition supporting the view that the couse should be open for community use.
A copy of the submission to the council cabinet meeting (Public version) held on 9th June is available on the Sandwell MBC website here.
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