Forum Topic

Friends of the Parks

This has been a great idea and may I be as bold as to suggest that people should get involved in these in my local park the group has worked wonders in bringing the community together to work on projects for the local park and for the kids of the local area.These meetings can be fun as well, at a recent meeting of the friends of the parks across Hounslow we had the delightfull Cllr Lee telling people to beware of Park Deviants, this has been met with a lot of humour at our park and hence we are looking to do a range of T-shirts, one with a picture of Cllr Lee and the words Beware Park Deviants underneath which should put the fear into any deviant or for the discerning Park Deviant how about Iam a Park Deviant. Joking a side this a great way for people to become invoved in the running of in essence your Park.

Dave Hughes ● 6877d31 Comments

Thanks to everyone who made The Grovner Park friends day yesterday such a success.

Dave Hughes ● 6866d

Kevin If you pop down with your son it will be OK, as part of the entrance sign says. “An adult must accompany all children using this area and be responsible for their behaviour”.My granddaughters are a little bit older than that, and they recon it isn’t cool to be seen using a paddling pool with little one’s and they definitely don’t want mum or dad in attendance :-)May be I'll see you down at Dukes Meadows some time?

Paul Allen ● 6872d

Paul/DaveIt looks good!Spent many a sunburnt day there back in the early seventies.What sort of age group does in cater for today as I have a 10 year old son & we are looking for various places to visit over the next two weeks?

Kevin Farnan ● 6872d

Thank you for the posting on Brentford TW8 Dave,If anyone requires further information about the Fodm please take a look at our website  www.fodm.org.ukRegards Paul Allen

Paul Allen ● 6874d

I would just like to let everyone know that the Dukes Meadows Paddling Pool will be open on Saturday 5th Aug approximate time 09:00am.Hope to see you all there Regards Paul AllenChairman Fodmand from ChrisI took my son to the new paddling pool this morning.  What a great facility, with tiled pool, paved surrounds and mounded grassy areas for relaxing and sunbathing.  (Most of the turfed areas are still fenced off to protect the new grass.)There is a small kiosk with ice cream, coffee and even egg & chips etc, staffed by a friendly team who also keep an eye on the pool.Congratulations to Paul, Kathleen and all the Friends of Dukes Meadows supporters for this wonderful new addition to the Chiswick leisure scene.

Dave Hughes ● 6874d

At least the hoodies in the parks around here dont have guns..worst still Cllr Lee hugging a hoodie now that would also be something worth seeing.

Dave Hughes ● 6874d

Yeah,Hounslow is a really happening place.

Keith Iddon ● 6874d

Yes Manchester

Dave Hughes ● 6874d

Have you ever lived anywhere else?

Keith Iddon ● 6874d

Summertime At Hounslow Leisure Centres The school summer holidays are fast approaching and Hounslow Leisure Centres have devised an exciting five-week programme to keep the children occupied from Monday 31 July to Friday 1 September.Once school is out, children can make the most of the summer with the many fun packed activities at the seven leisure centres across the borough, including; sports camps, football, tennis and basketball sessions, pool inflatables, float frenzy sessions, rookie lifeguard, play centre clubs, magic and fun shows, trampolining and tots trampolining sessions, puppet shows, snorkel club and swim crash courses. To help families plan their summer holiday activities Hounslow Leisure Centres have produced a Summertime 2006 brochure. Highlights include the ever popular animal encounters roadshows which will be stopping at Heston Pool, Southville Centre, Brentford Fountain Leisure Centre, Isleworth Recreation Centre and Feltham Airparcs Leisure Centre; and the experienced DJ Bubbles who will be spinning the decks for the Family Pool Discos at Brentford Fountain and Feltham Airparcs.Please call 020 8570 0064 for a free copy of the Summertime 2006 brochure or to view the brochure online visit http://www.hounslow.info/sports

Dave Hughes ● 6874d

There is so much to enjoy...

Dave Hughes ● 6875d

Cranford well I be a son of a gun....I use to go past on my way to work and I never new there was a park as big as that there I should of asked my wife she is a Cranford girl...She has told me of stories of picking mushrooms in the park with her mother.

Dave Hughes ● 6875d

Jim to be honest I dont know, there are loads of little parks other than the main parks, my neighbour just moved in and was complaining there was no park to take his kids too I said have you gone down the little alley across the road there is a park 50 yards away...but from reading the story all you can say is well done..I love to see community action.

Dave Hughes ● 6875d

"Where is Avenue Park?"http://www.hounslow.info/page.aspx?pointerid=52FBCB5F855C488898242823177BA452&thelang=001lngdefhttp://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=510250&y=177250&z=1&sv=510250,177250&st=4&ar=N&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf

Richard Jennings ● 6875d

DaveWhere is Avenue Park?  No one seems to know and the Hounslow Civic Centre website doesn't give its location either!

Jim Lawes ● 6875d

Hmmm...

Keith Iddon ● 6875d

If I can remember I think it stands for Community Initiative`s Partnership, you have hit on a problem being part of a community does require social responcibilty, to many time`s these day`s people have the idea " If I Chuck my rubbish into the middle of the street, well thats ok cause I giving somebody else a job, better still lets get rid of load of junk in that alley way" the end result is the cost to you as a tax payer goes up, yes the council could sack all the cleaners and yes you would get a reduction in council tax, but are you solving the problem. Most people when they get home from work close the door to the outside world most dont even know who lives next door. Some good news is yes there is a world outside get off the sofa people want your help meet new people new idea's the reward is how you feel about yourself, some old proverbs like it is kinder to give than to recieve and before you know it people will seek your wisdom.

Dave Hughes ● 6875d

Thanks for the suggestion ,Dave but I'm too busy working to pay the 4th highest rate of council tax in London..my point is that I'm sure local(and central gov.)would like charities to take over and run lots of services for them so they can wash their hands of them and still levy some sort of charge.I have looked on the cip website but nowhere that I can see does it actually say what the acronym stands for.Could you enlighten me please?

Keith Iddon ● 6875d

Thinking about this CIP is a community run charity and is open to residents, if you feel strongly enough you could join the board of CIP as a community rep.

Dave Hughes ● 6875d

That would give us more money to spend in our parks no doubt, but CIP who run the parks I somehow feel wont be happy to do that.

Dave Hughes ● 6875d

No it isn't a gender thing,it is a matter of priorities for local government to ensure  their own spaces are safe for all of us to use(using our money of course).Perhaps all our public services could be run by volunteers with paid officers 'lending a hand' rather than the other way 'round.

Keith Iddon ● 6875d

Hymenoptera of Hounslow HeathHounslow Heath450 Staines RoadHounslow 19 August Join wildlife expert Mike Edwards in the search for small and rare species of bees, wasps and ants. Cost: FreeWeb: www.hounslow.info/hounslowheath Friends Of Inwood Park ‘Soul In The City’Inwood ParkInwood RoadHounslow 9-13 August Four-day event culminating in a community party on Sunday. Cost: FreeTel: 020 8894 2677Showcase EventRedlees StudiosRedlees ParkWorton RoadIsleworth Tel: 0845 456 2981Web: www.redlees.orgWeb: www.hounslow.info/redleesstudios 6 August, 11am-5pm Selected work on show by artists from Redlees Studios. Free parking and admission. Cost: Free Learning To Be IndianWatermans40 High StreetBrentfordTel: 020 8232 1010Web: www.watermans.org.uk 28 August, noon-9pm A fascinating art exhibition illustrating what it means to be Asian. The Tony Hancock ExhibitionGunnersbury Park MuseumGunnersbury ParkPopes LaneUntil March 2007, 11am-5pmAn exhibition on the life and work of comedy actor Tony Hancock.Cost: FreeTel: 020 8992 1612Web: www.hounslow.info/gunnersburyparkmuseum Hancock – His Life In Half An Hour27 August, 2pm-2.45pmGunnersbury Park Museum hold a free talk on the life of Tony Hancock to accompany the exhibition.Cost: FreeTel: 020 8992 1612Web: www.hounslow.info/gunnersburyparkmuseum John Bedford And Bedford ParkUntil 14 August, 11am-5pmAn exhibition on John Bedford and the three great houses, which preceded the Bedford Park suburb.Cost: FreeTel: 020 8992 1612Web: www.hounslow.info/gunnersburyparkmuseum

Dave Hughes ● 6875d

DaveThe scheme has started in the small park at the bottom of Robin Grove Brentford, it is a small area that is not known by many people more like a secret garden, but as it is not used much it became a haven for the pot smokers and the like. It would be good if the residents organised a fun day or some such thing any ideas? Photos were posted for me by Jim Lawes under another heading on this site.

Edward Fitzgerald ● 6876d

I have never ever heard of Avenue Park before, even though I have 'A' level GSE Geography, and have lived on this side of the Borough for over 60 years.The Civic Centre's website, when publishing that news Report, also failed to mention the location.So, where precisely is it? Thanks.

Jim Lawes ● 6877d

CIP does this job by supporting the groups and by providing a helping hand, its also funny that I have been to a number of meetings and it allways seems to be males who say about it cant be done why should we bother, most of the women who have been involved have said we are determined to do something and have just got on and done it, I dont know if this issue or issues are a gender thing but all these ladies deserve all the help they can get I think they have the get up and go and want to change the community for the better.

Dave Hughes ● 6877d

It won't though will it, Dave?All these public involvement schemes are ok but depend very much on the good will and hard work of people who also have other priorities in their lives and whose interest or ability to keep up a commitment sometimes wanes.They may move from the area and enthusiasm is often strong at the start of projects like this, often to weaken over time.I feel that there should be a dedicated public service provision for the patrolling and care of parks and public spaces that could work with initiatives like this.Fat chance though, eh?

Keith Iddon ● 6877d

Hi EdwardThe friends of the park in Feltham I believe are doing just that. I hope it works out.

Dave Hughes ● 6877d

DaveA great idea if more people got involved with their parks it just might keep the yobbo's out of them, don't hold your breath for the "Parks police" Hounslow won't run to that I am sure. But the Safer Neighbourhood Teams are taking an active interest in all the parks in the borough with the PAYBACK scheme that has just started to get off the ground as they get young people doing community service cleaning up parks etc. Maybe your volunteers could work alongside the the police if so contact your local SNT

Edward Fitzgerald ● 6877d

Well if the new council has any sence I am sure they will look at good practise in other councils. I know the royal parks are covered by a Constabulary force, but I am not an expert. I know that the friends of the parks groups have had a lot of success in terms of getting the kids on board to treat the parks with respect and to understand that they have a voice in the running of the parks, Brentford Football Club has also helped by providing football in the parks and got the kids to view the parks in a new light.

Dave Hughes ● 6877d

Does Hounslow Council have a parks constabulary or parks warden service like other neighbouring boroughs(I know of one that has these services)?That council also has a lower council tax and is a much higher rated council.

Keith Iddon ● 6877d

This from the council web-site well done Avenue Park FriendsA flurry of activity was seen at Avenue Park on Wednesday 21 July as 150 volunteers joined forces with CIP staff to help transform this key borough location.Following weeks of careful planning between CIP, Business in the Community and DDB London, 150 volunteers were invited to assist in making some real sustainable changes to Avenue Park.The removal of the raised beds has now opened up the landscape and created safer pathways. The crazy paving that was lifted from around the golf course has helped integrate the bowling green area into the park. The clearance of the depot yard was no easy task, but the scores of volunteers soon got to grips with the bushes, brambles and trees. Graffiti and shrubs were removed from the children’s play area and within hours the site began to look like an attractive haven.It is hoped that the soon-to-be-formed Friends of Avenue Park will be able to use this area as a base for work days and meetings.The hard work of the volunteers and organisers has left the park transformed and will have a lasting benefit on the environment and the wider community. CIP hopes this face-lift will help to increase the sense of pride and reduce the level of anti-social behaviour not just in the park but also in the surrounding area.CIP would like to offer their thanks to Business in the Community and DDB London for all their hard work in making the day possible.

Dave Hughes ● 6877d