Friends of Maryon and Maryon Wilson Parks
Annual General Meeting
Date: Thursday 31 March 2022
Venue: Nellie Raven Room, St Thomas Church, Charlton
Present (6): Steve (secretary), Natalie (treasurer), Catherine, Gulle, Cllr Gary Dillon, Cllr John Fahy.
Apologies (6): Christine (chair), Mickey, Hazel and John, Alan, Ronnie and Nigel.
Chair’s welcome: In the unavoidable absence of Christine, Steve took the chair and welcomed a disappointingly small group to the 19th AGM of the Friends, held over from last November.
Minutes of previous meeting (September 2021) were studied and approved. Cllr Fahy had spoken on that occasion about funding available for improvements; a new feasibility study for the derelict toilets; and the possibility of a mobile café in Maryon Wilson this summer.
Chair’s annual report: (attached) Highlighted some real improvements in both the main parks, especially the playground equipment in Maryon and the new picnic benches in Maryon Wilson.
In discussion, Natalie suggested that the age limit in the playground should be reduced from 12 to 11, as senior schoolchildren were making a nuisance of themselves there. Cllr Dillon has asked for a higher fence round the basketball court to prevent lost balls and has been told that Parks dept are trying to find the money for it.
Update on parks news: We have had no news for several months of the Feasibility Study into refurbishing the disused toilets in Maryon Wilson Park and will seek further information. A pilot scheme for a mobile café in Maryon Wilson Park has been promised but is unlikely to meet the proposed starting date of early April. ‘A couple of enquiries’ had been received but we understand that one interested party was not prepared to finance a pilot scheme for six months with no guarantee of being given the concession afterwards. It was also noted that the original rent of £75 per week has now been doubled. There was some confusion about the sum of up to £150,000 which Lovells, the developers of the old Morris Walk estate, had promised for improvements locally. The available figure for parks has yet to be clarified.
Treasurer’s report: Natalie reported that after a year of little or no income (one small donation) the balance of funds is £503.67.
Community Garden annual report: (attached). Over 21kg of produce had been produced, the equivalent of 256 meals.
Election of officers and committee: Christine, Steve and Natalie agreed to stand as officers for a further 12 months. The committee of eight is expected to remain unchanged.
Any other business: Cllr Dillon is now chair of Greenwich Wildlife Advisory Group and would like a representative from each Friends group in the borough to become involved. Please email FriendsofMaryonParks@gmail.com if interested. GWAG are concerned about large-scale local developments displacing wildlife and about invasive species such as ivy. He and Cllr Fahy were thanked for their interest in the Friends, with especial appreciation of Cllr Fahy for many years of support as he steps down as a representative of Woolwich Riverside under the new reorganisation – under which Maryon, Maryon Wilson, Gilberts Pit and Barrier Park, (as well as Charlton Park) will all come under the new Charlton Village & Riverside ward.
Date of next meeting and Clear-Ups: Our next meeting will be on Thursday June 16 at Kinveachy Gardens, Charlton (7.30pm) to consider planning for the Picnic in the (Maryon) Park on Sunday June 26. Litter-picks and Clear-ups continue on the first Saturday of every month, meeting behind the Kinveachy Gardens houses (Woodland Terrace end) at 10am.
Steve Tongue, Secretary
Friends Of Maryon Park and Maryon Wilson Park 