Date: Thursday 16 October 2025
Present (9): Christine (chair), Natalie (treasurer), Steve, Catherine, Gulle, Glenda, Julie, Alice, Elen.
1. Welcome: Christine welcomed guests and thanked Steve for taking notes in the enforced absence of Emma.
2. Apologies: (6): Emma, Gary, Jason, Andrew, Mickey, Cllr van den Broek.
3. Minutes of last meeting (June 2025): Accepted. Catherine made clear that Lovells had given ‘some’ of the money towards renovations at St Thomas, not all of it.
4. Future of the Animal Park and toilets:
Catherine reported on a meeting with Rob Goring of the Parks department and Cllr Jo van den Broek attended by five Friends committee members and also Richard the animals’ stockman and Carol Kendall of the RDA.
The Council had produced a feasibility study costing about £2,000 for converting the disused toilets into a small cafe and toilet block with either 12, 18 or 24 seats at a cost of between £305,000 and £495,000 plus about £30,000 for bringing electricity up from the road.
An alternative, which had not been costed, was to locate it as an extension to the existing bothy area, which already has electricity, water and toilets.
Cllr van den Broek said the cost of keeping the animal park open was now estimated at £150,000 pa plus inflation. This was based on salaries including pension, national insurance etc of £91k, allowing for a permanent assistant to Richard; £35k for equipment, feed and vets charges; and £24k for ‘training’ for which the meeting requested a further breakdown of cost.
Cllr van den Broek passed round a proposed submission to potential sponsors like Lovells, AEG (owners of the O2), national supermarkets, housing and construction firms, skip firms, Charlton Athletic and Pets At Home. The Gough estate was later added – other suggestions should be sent to Cllr van den Broek.
A new organisation independent of the Friends is needed to manage funds, starting with a small group who would contact the above organisations. Anyone able to help is urged to contact then please contact the Friends
A further meeting will be held at the end of November.
5. Autumn Fayre at St Thomas church on Saturday November 1 from 11am-3.30pm:
We will have a small table to advertise the Friends, with space for bric-a-brac, jigsaws etc
6. Wellness walk: Keri Hartwright is keen to hold a wellness walk through the park, which Richard is happy to lead, allowing walkers to meet and greet the animals. Date to be arranged.
7. Update on centenary plans:
2026 marks the centenary of Maryon Wilson Park as well as the 25th anniversary of the Friends. A group of three members met the CEO of Charlton House to discuss holding an exhibition there, which could be for a 6-8 week period between February and April or later in the year.
8. Tree planting:
We have a number of small whips including ash, hornbeam and beech to be planted in Maryon Wilson during the litter-pick on Saturday December 6th. These will need to be better protected than when we have tried on previous occasions. Families interested in adopting a tree should contact the Friends secretary. Friendsofmaryonparks@gmail.com
9: External funding opportunities:
We are keen to have more signage and ‘interpretation panels’ with details like the names of animals. Live Well Greenwich and Greenwich Healthier Communities Fund are possible sources and a new Neighbourhood Growth scheme of £1m has recently been announced by the Council for local groups bidding for between £2,500- £35,000. 10. Community Champion Voting Day:
We were successful in obtaining £1,000 for wooden sculptures from the Creative Nature group to form a trail around Maryon Wilson Park. Charlton Park Academy are also interested in contributing funds towards developing these skills.
11. Guided walk round Gilbert’s Pit:
Held last month by the London Geodiversity Partnership, this attracted a dozen people and was most enjoyable. At our meeting Glenda produced a series of specimens including a piece of Hertfordshire Pudding Stone around 55 million years old.
12. Community Garden report (attached)
13. Treasurer’s report: The open day in MWP had produced £114.30 and the Picnic in the Park £48.40. Our thanks to those who helped and contributed. The balance is now £1,605. 18p, of which £1,000 is the award for the park sculptures.
14. Any other business:
a) Mycenae House would like to put on a concert for one of the music groups run by Elen, for which funds could go to the Friends. February is a possible date.
b) The latest meeting of the Parks Forum said that parks without a green flag (Maryon Wilson, Barrier Park) should ask the Council for a Management Plan. Those with a green flag should receive one from the Council, due to be updated next January.
c) Christine reported that there had been some good cutting back of brambles and there are plans for further improvement.
15. Future dates:
Autumn Fayre at St Thomas church on Saturday November 1 from 11am-3.30pm
Litter-pick and Clear-Ups on Saturday November 1st and Saturday December 6th (10am).
Greenwich Parks Forum: Thursday December 11th.
Next Friends meeting and committee meeting: tbc
Website: FriendsofMaryonParks.org
Facebook: Friends of Maryon and Maryon Wilson Parks
Friends Of Maryon Park and Maryon Wilson Park 