FOR some, it will be the moment rock star Freddie Mercury performed on stage. For others it may be simply playing in the paddling pool, their first ice cream, or learning to ride a bike.

Whatever your favourite memories of Queens Park, Bolton Council wants to hear from residents so their stories of the historic beauty spot can be recorded for a new film.

For generations, the park has been a place where Bolton families have gone to play, relax, have a picnic and feed the ducks and many Boltonians hold treasured memories of visiting the park over the years.

Queens Park was opened in 1866 by the Earl of Bradford and has undergone a £4.3 million refurbishment in recent years.

After securing lottery funding in 2009, the council has carried out work including the dredging and re-filling of lakes, improving the children’s play area, renovating the park’s amphitheatre and creating a new car park.

The work has been welcomed by Bolton’s Civic Trust.

Chairman Richard Shirres said: “We welcome this work to enhance Bolton’s green space, especially here because it is a Grade II listed Victorian Park with a river. The prospect also of a restored fountain, as part of the work, is to be commended.

“We hope a little of the £4.3 million can be earmarked for outreach work in the surrounding community to help promote stewardship of the park.”

The council is now planning to capture and preserve people’s park stories on a DVD that will be a permanent record for future generations — as well as marking the refurbishment of the park.

Filming and recording will take place during June and the council wants to invite people of all ages with stories they want to share to get involved.

The council would also like to hear from anyone who has old photographs showing the park that could be loaned and included in the film.

Cllr Nick Peel, executive cabinet member for environmental services, said: “We’re really excited to be putting together this film of people’s memories of the park, which celebrates the refurbishment of Queens Park and its restoration to its former Victorian glory.

“We’d love to hear from any residents who remember using the paddling pool, the big slide, learning to ride their bike, or who have any other memories of the park they would like to share.”

The council is working with a local film company, thebox.tv to produce the footage. Contact Francesca at thebox.tv either by phone 07535 516502 or email francesca@thevideobox.tv with your memories.

The film will be archived as part of the Heritage Lottery project and Manchester Libraries archive.