AGM, April 25th 2025
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. The Red Chestnut in the deer pen was brought down by a storm early in the year – luckily it was so rotten that it caused no damage to the fence.
The new and replacement trees from the previous year are all still intact. Ivy continues to be an increasing menace due, research would suggest, in part to a warming climate.
Some specific events of the year are as follows:
Maryon Park – picnic in the park took place on Sunday 30th June. Organised by Arts Trust Productions and was very much enjoyed by those attending. We printed extra leaflets for our stall and raised some money. The Autumn Fayre at St Thomas’ Church in November allowed us another opportunity to raise both our profile and more funds
After much asking for repairs/replacement of the drinking fountain, work started without notification in November and remained intermittent with a non-functioning supply for some months. However, at the last testing it does seem to be working and should be an improvement on the old design as this also caters for dogs (although the bowl is hidden at the back).
Autumn mowing on the flower banks remains an issue as last year and gets worse the longer it is left. Our group cleared a strip alongside the steps in Maryon Park where the brambles were starting to grow over the handrail.
Early this year wet weather resulted in a council truck getting stuck in the grass near the Northeastern gates – causing considerable damage. Hopefully this will be reinstated in time for the Green Flag inspection at the end of this month, which will include members of our group. Last year’s inspection was a ‘mystery shop’ visit, resulting in retention of the flag.
Maryon Wilson Park – following 2 incidents of a ‘flasher’ in different parts of the park last year the Safer Neighbourhood team attended our meeting in November. There was an arrest of a suspect in Maryon Park in September. They then carried out an online survey of perceptions of safety in the area in the autumn. We do not yet know the outcome of this.
The animal park – tours remained suspended after more bird flu outbreaks and Blue Tongue in sheep and also due to a lack of staffing to allow Richard the time to do/oversee them. There was an open day for the sheep shearing on June 1st. We had a stall and made a small amount of money.
In January rumours began to circulate of plans to close the animal park and relocate the animals without any consultation. This was soon confirmed and quickly galvanized a strong response from the local community who set up a Save Our Animal Park campaign (SOAP), culminating in a very well attended public meeting attended by 2 Councillors, plus a petition of over 10,000 signatures in a very short time. This was followed by a demonstration outside the Town Hall on the evening of the relevant meeting, resulting in the decision to keep the park open for now while new approaches were considered.
We continue to point out to the Council that whilst we appreciate funding difficulties this is a vital resource for the whole borough that cannot be left to the community to run. Fortunately, the event has increased our membership and brought with it new energy and skills, so we hope we’ll be able to attract grants for further improvements and widen knowledge of our unique resource across the borough with more events and public activities and improved facilities.
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. Our annual walkabout with parks staff was in February. Most work requested has been done – several small hawthorn trees in the bank along Thorntree Road that had fallen or moved to precarious angles were finally removed, along with some overdue removal of the dead cherry next to the bench by the Woolwich Rd entrance and in the landscaped area where the VC cross is. This should allow in more light and make the area less gloomy and uninviting.
We have kept in touch with the Greenwich Parks Forum and attended some of their meetings, including discussion over their new manifesto for improved communication and meaningful consultation and decision making.
My thanks as always 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. Especially, this year, my thanks to Steve Tongue for carrying out the role of Secretary and Membership Secretary for the last 22 years.
Christine Anthony – Chair of the Friends of Maryon and Maryon Wilson Parks.
Friends Of Maryon Park and Maryon Wilson Park 