Venue: Kinveachy Gardens, SE7
Date: Thursday 17 November 2024
Present: (8+3) Christine (chair), Steve (secretary), Natalie (treasurer), Catherine, Mickey, Gulle, Hazel, John. Plus SNT members Matt, Lydia and Anna.
1. Welcome: Christine welcomed our three special guests from the Safer Neighbourhood Team serving the Charlton Village and Riverside ward, which covers Maryon Wilson Park, Maryon Park, Barrier Park and also Charlton Park.
2. Apologies: Jason.
3. Discussion with SNT officers:
PC Lydia Caldwell has been involved in a campaign promoting Women’s Safety in local areas, especially parks. In September the SNT had a ‘Walk and Talk’ event in Maryon Park in which women and girls were invited to discuss any issues with them. Unfortunately it was a day when the Trust school on Woolwich Road had come out early. But an arrest was made of a man in the vicinity who was wanted on suspicion of an alleged exposure incident in Maryon Wilson some time earlier. The intention is to hold similar events in the other parks.
In Hornfair Park, Charlton, multiple reports of anti-social behaviour, drugs and knife crime were being reported during 2023. One of the visible factors was the neglect to the park, overgrown vegetation with faulty lighting providing safe spaces for criminals to shelter. A report was put together highlighting the issues and there was a set of recommendations and a request for the Council to take action. As a result overgrown vegetation was cut back and the main entrance lighting fixed. From 01/10/2023 to 30/10/2024 there were 13 recorded crimes in the park, compared to 73 crimes between 01/10/2022 to 30/09/2023, a reduction of about 80%.
The SNT officers would like the same policy to be introduced for Maryon and Maryon Wilson parks, and we have identified some areas of concern. The two parks are still under consideration to have a mobile camera installed.
The contact email address for the local SNT is CharltonVillage&Riverside.SNT@met.police.uk
Advice is still to call 999 in an emergency, or 101 if the matter is non-urgent but requires a police response.
4. Minutes of previous meeting (September): Accepted. Tours of the Animal Park are still suspended.
5. Parks update:
a) The Council have delayed adding the dog stencils we requested in the parks while they consider a possible campaign about dog walking. A reminder that there is a maximum of four dogs per walker and that parks staff may ask walkers to put dogs on a lead.
b) General enquiries and requests about the parks (eg, hazards in parks, grass cutting, flytipping etc) should go to Parks@royalgreenwich.gov.uk Official complaints (eg, closure and locking up of parks or car parks) should be submitted via a form on the Council website
www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/xfp/form/808
c) To our surprise, work suddenly began on a new water fountain in Maryon Park with a lot of heavy digging. But stopped just as abruptly and has not resumed. We will request an update.
d) The Digital Calendar produced by St Thomas Church is hoping to include a brief piece with Richard or Pam about their work in the Animal Park and also a piece recorded by Catherine about Barrier Park.
6. Community Garden report: (attached)
7. Treasurer’s report: After taking £55.80 at the St Thomas’ Fayre (big thanks to all who helped) and paying £12 for the stall, the balance is now £572.48.
8. Diary dates:
Sat Dec 7th, Jan 4th, Feb 1st. 10am: Litter-pick and Clear-up
Thurs Feb. 20th: Friends meeting at Kinveachy Gardens, 7.30pm
Steve Tongue, Secretary
Email: FriendsofMaryonparks@gmail.com
Friends Of Maryon Park and Maryon Wilson Park 