FRIENDS OF MARYON AND MARYON WILSON PARKS
Minutes of Meeting, February 8th 2024
Venue: Kinveachy Gardens, SE7
Date: Thursday February 8th 2024
Present: (9) Christine (chair) Steve (secretary), Catherine, Alan, Gulle, Hazel, John, Ed, Vanessa
1. Welcome : Christine welcomed those who had turned out on a horrible evening, including new member Ed.
2. Apologies : (1) Mickey.
3. Minutes of previous meeting and matters arising:
a) anti-flytipping notices were posted as requested on the Thorntree Road hill
b) some of the Green Flag inspector’s criticisms (eg dead trees) have not been addressed; the Council also asked us to update our website.
c) The Council say stencils about dog fouling will be painted in MWPark when the weather is better and when “staffing allows”.
d) We have heard nothing more from the Greenwich resident who had ambitious plans for restoring the derelict toilets.
e) Four months on, there was still no news of the result of a consultation about booking and charges for the tennis courts in Maryon Park . UPDATE: Shortly after the meeting we heard unofficially that plans for bookings and charges have now been agreed for MP.
f) As part of National Tree Week, an elm tree was planted in MWPark (north-east corner) and appears to be flourishing.
g) The blocked drain behind the bus stop at the bottom of the Thorntree Road hill has been cleared.
h) Our request for an exploratory Walkabout in the parks with parks officials is in hand and we hope to hear something shortly.
4. Other parks updates
a) During the bad storm in December a tree inside the deer pen crashed through the fence. The fence was quickly repaired and the resulting tree debris has now been cleared away. One large tree on the path towards Charlton Village was also a victim of the storm.
b) A cherry tree has been planted in Maryon Park to replace the handkerchief tree in memory of Covid victims that was vandalised.
c) Christine met the author of a proposed new book about all the parks in Greenwich and we have suggested some small amendments to the draft copy.
d) Despite the demise of Greenwich Dance, there will be a summer picnic in Maryon Park, now being organised by Arts Trust Productions. We will hope to have a stall.
The date is Sunday June 30th and there is a planning meeting at St Thomas Church, Charlton on Friday February 16th (6pm).
5. Treasurer’s Report:
The balance is unchanged at £531.68
6. Community Garden report:
Daffodils, aconites and snowdrops are already springing up. The most recent storm caused havoc, but fortunately there was no damage to the shelters or Green Room.
The Green room is available for group hire, for meetings, therapy, and counselling sessions at £5 an hour.
The Good Gym fitness volunteers helped clean up in January and will return this month.
A plaque has been made in memory of Vougar Mamadova, an original plot-holders from 2012 who helped to construct the Community Garden and sadly died last year.
8. Any other business:
a) If anyone cannot make the monthly Clear-Up, help with litter picking is always appreciated at other times. Thorntree Road, the path by the level crossing and Barrier Park are always bad.
9. Diary dates:
Clear-Up and Litter-Picks: First Saturday of every month from 10am. (March 2nd, April 6th)
Next Friends meeting: Our AGM will be held in the Nellie Raven Room at St Thomas Church, Woodland Terrace SE7 on Thursday April 25th (7.15 for 7.30) with invited guests. Please make every effort to attend.
Steve, secretary
Friends Of Maryon Park and Maryon Wilson Park 