Once again, our parks have continued to provide a vital service to the local and wider community but have also been hit by the weather. A tree was brought down in the deer pen by a storm early in the year, damaging the fence and putting the deer at risk. Dedication of Richard Gregory the Animal Keeper prevented any escapes, and the fence has now been fully repaired,
Several new trees provided were, a 3rd replacement tree next to the covid memorial bench in Maryon Park. This is a flowering cherry rather than a Handkerchief Tree but is better protected and seems to be doing well. In addition, a new hybrid variety of, hopefully disease resistant, Elm has been planted near the dead thorn trees behind Kinveachy Gardens. Lat year’s new Chinese Pagoda tree near the sweet chestnuts in Maryon Park seems to be thriving.
We were contacted by Candy Blackham who is writing a summary of parks in the borough and are waiting to hear of its publication, after providing some feedback on her draft.
Some specific events of the year are as follows:
Maryon Park – picnic in the park took place on Sunday 25th June. Organised by Greenwich dance. The funding for this year has been passed to Arts Trust Productions and representatives of The Friends have attended planning meetings. We will have a stall as in previous years, but future funding is unknown.
The playground improvements were finalised with the provision of the 2 extra picnic benches on the grassed area.
Tennis Court booking is in place – we are not aware of any problems so far.
Fly-tipping signs on Thorntree Road have been installed and seem to be having an impact.
Maryon Wilson Park – We were approached by Thorntree School to assist with their Coronation Big Help Out day in May and also this year’s geography week. The children very much enjoyed the litter picking and we also provided some tree identification tips for the older ones. We were approached by a borough resident wanting to develop the derelict toilet block – we felt it was too much work to secure funding for our group alone and we’ve heard no more from the person who approached us. Sadly, we were made aware of 2 incidents of a ‘flasher’ in different parts of the park – the Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team were made aware.
The animal park –The new ‘melanistic’ male has been added to the herd. This deer has settled well, grown and shed antlers and seems to be in charge of the herd.
There was an open day for the sheep shearing in June, which coincided with the monthly litter pick.
The Community Garden – a separate report is attached.
Clear ups and walkabouts – we have met regularly on the first Saturday of every month, with varying numbers depending on the weather but always a hard core of regulars, including some new enthusiastic members. The annual walkabout with Parks and Estates staff was held earlier this year and most of the issues raised have been dealt with, including making safe the roof of the old toilet block. Autumn mowing on the flower banks remains an issue.
We have kept in touch with the Greenwich Parks Forum and attended some of their meetings.
My thanks as always to Steve Tongue for carrying out the role of Secretary and Membership Secretary and to Natalie Zarb for providing her services as Treasurer. Also, to our committee members for maintaining the notice boards and website, joining in with consultations and walkabouts and all who contribute to clearing litter, supporting projects and reporting on disrepair and other issues.
Christine Anthony – Chair of the Friends of Maryon and Maryon Wilson Parks.
Friends Of Maryon Park and Maryon Wilson Park 