Venue: Kinveachy Gardens, SE7
Date: Thursday 19 September 2024
Present: (8) Christine (chair), Steve (secretary), Natalie (treasurer), Catherine, Alan, Mickey, Gulle, Vanessa.
1. Welcome: Christine welcomed a smaller gathering than recently.
2. Apologies: None
3. Minutes of previous meeting (June): Accepted.
4. Parks updates:
a) The Safer Neighbourhood Team meeting jointly with Friends of Charlton Park was held at the end of July. The main points were that four mobile cameras were available that the SNT teams can bid to use. Maryon and/or Maryon Wilson Park had been suggested as possible locations in view of flashing incidents in the last year or two. Because of those incidents and others, PC Lydia Caldwell was setting up a Violence Against Women initiative. No SNT members were available to join tonight’s meeting, but they are holding a Walk AndTalk meeting in Maryon Park from 3pm on Wednesday September 25th under the heading Share Your Thoughts On Women’s Safety. The time is to coincide with girls coming out of school and college who may also wish to share any concerns. All members are invited.
b) We had a stall at the enjoyable Picnic In the Park, raising just over £50. Thank you to those who assisted.
c) Following our September Clear-Up, which included doing work in Maryon Park, it was good to see that Parks staff with stronger tools had been continuing it.
d) There will be no spring bulbs available for planting this year because of financial cutbacks. Similarly, money for Get Active routes in local parks has all now been allocated. Maryon Park will be considered if any other funds become available.
e) Still in Maryon Park; ribbons and leaflets about Suicide Prevention Day (September 10th) were being attached to the Covid memorial bench in each ward. It was unclear whether this had happened in Maryon.
f) The long disused house at 20 Thorntree Road in between the parks has now been surrounded by a protective fence, and rebuilding work is due to begin shortly.
g) A meeting of the Greenwich Parks Forum is scheduled for Thursday September 26th, with ‘Reviving Acid Grassland’ as one of the topics.
h) Animal tours in Maryon Wilson have had to be suspended. Greater London is now a restricted zone because outbreaks of Bluetongue virus have been reported in Kent and East Sussex. The animals need to be vaccinated, but there is no risk to the public associated with the disease.
5. Community Garden report: The Open Day last Saturday attracted more than 50 visitors. Funds are still needed to repair the £800 damage from the recent fire and vandalism.
6. Treasurer’s report: After taking £51.47 at the Picnic in the Park, and £12.10 on the sheep-shearing day, the balance is now £528.68.
7. Any other business:
Lovell’s recently held a consultation day regarding the Maryon Grove estate. We will investigate the possibility of any funding being available either to renovate the Maryon Park toilets or to replace the derelict one in Maryon Wilson.
8. Diary dates:
Weds Sept. 25th Safer Neighbourhood Walk and Talk in Maryon Pk 3pm
Sat Oct. 5th Litter-pick and Clear-up 10am
Thurs Nov. 14th Friends meeting at Kinveachy Gardens, 7.30pm
Steve Tongue, Secretary
Friends Of Maryon Park and Maryon Wilson Park 