FRIENDS OF MARYON AND MARYON WILSON PARKS AGM
Minutes of AGM 2025
Date: Thursday 3rd April 2025
Venue: St Thomas Church, Charlton
Present (17): Christine Anthony (Chair), Steve Tongue (Secretary), Natalie Zarb (Treasurer), Catherine, Gulle, Mickey, John (all committee), Hazel, Emma, Gary, Elen, Glenda, Anthony, Matthieu, Alice, Tina, Cllr Jo van den Broek.
Apologies (4): Andrew, Alan, Jane, Claire.
1. Welcome: Christine welcomed a good attendance, including Jo van den
Broek, one of the two councillors for the Charlton Village and Riverside ward
in which Maryon, Maryon Wilson and Barrier parks are all situated.
2. Minutes of previous meeting: Accepted.
3. Chair’s annual report: (attached)
4. Community Garden annual report: (attached)
5. Treasurer’s report: Income was £152.55, outgoings from brochures and hall hire a remarkably similar £151.75, leaving a balance of £492.48.
6. Parks updates: a) Following the main event of the past 12 months – the successful campaign to Save Our Animal Park, Cllr van den Broek told the meeting that Council officers were very keen to hear any ideas about possible funding for the future. The estimated costs were about £90,000 per year for staffing, vets’ fees and insurance, which together with necessary improvement to fencing and the like plus inflation would mean something closer to £100,000. “Section 106″ money which comes from developers still exists but although millions of pounds may be unspent it is not necessarily unallocated. There should not be a further problem for the Animal Park next year but after that it would be very helpful to have some plans in place. Sponsorship – for example, the “Lovells Animal Park” – ought to be a possibility. Jo suggested a small group from the Friends could meet with Council officers to discuss any proposals, which it was agreed would be a good idea.
b) Emma has been in touch with a conservation group, TCV, who loved Maryon Wilson Park and could perhaps provide up to 30 volunteers for a day in clearing brambles and streams etc. A further meeting is planned shortly with their representative and Council officers including Richard Gregory, the stockman.
c) We also have 100 small trees which can be planted next autumn in areas to be decided. Friends members are welcome to take some and nurture them until then.
d) Improved signage for the parks was also suggested, and we are investigating costs.
e) QR codes for booking the tennis courts may have been interfered with, which we will report to the LTA who oversee the scheme.
f) Gary felt we should create a Hub for Friends and others to help increase footfall and emphasise the social value of the parks as well as use as an educational resource, spreading the message to the whole borough and not just our small area. Other proposals included greater publicity, better use of Gilberts Pit, (a Site of Special Scientific Interest) and events like bat-walks and bird-walks.
g) Charlton Academy are interested in using Maryon Wilson Park for orienteering.
h) The Parks Forum, for all 28 Friends groups in the borough, had its AGM and discussed points made in its recent Manifesto. These included giving protected status to more parks (only five in the borough have this at present); reinstating management plans for each park; greater consultation and communication; make leases of cafes in park rent-free.
8. Election of officers and committee: Christine (Chair) and Natalie (Treasurer) agreed to stand again. Steve, as previously announced, was standing down after 22 years and Emma Ouldred was nominated and elected as new Secretary. Jason and John were standing down from the committee and were thanked for their efforts; Jason will continue to look after the website. Gary and Elen, both prominent in the SOAP campaign, will join the committee.
9. Any other business: None
10. Diary dates:
Friday April 25th: Green flag inspection in Maryon Park (two or three committee members to attend)
Saturday May 3rd (10am): Clear-up and Litter-pick.
Sunday May 18th (10am-4pm): Plant sale in Charlton Park with Friends stall.
Thursday June 12th (7.30pm) Friends meeting at St Thomas Church.
Saturday June 21st (10am-2pm tbc) Open Day in MWP including Sheep-shearing.
Sunday June 29th (1pm-6pm tbc) Picnic in the (Maryon) Park.
Steve Tongue
Secretary
Website: http://www.friendsofmaryonparks.org
Facebook: Friends of Maryon and Maryon Wilson Parks.
Email: FriendsofMaryonParks@gmail.com
Friends Of Maryon Park and Maryon Wilson Park 