Minutes of Meeting, January 2026

Friends of Maryon and Maryon Wilson Parks Committee Meeting Thursday, January 22^nd 2026

Apologies

Glenda

Andrew

Mickey

Councillor Jo Van den Broek 

Present

Christine Committee Chair (CA) 

Hazel (HGM) 

John (JGM) 

Gulle Committee Member (GS) 

Catherine Committee Member (CT) 

Gary Committee Member (GD) 

Elen Committee Member (EB) 

Steve Committee Member (ST) 

Natalie Treasurer (NZ) 

Emma Committee Secretary (EO) 

CA opened the meeting. Minutes from last meeting agreed. 

1. Centenary Events Update 

• Maryon Wilson Park (MWP) Exhibition- GS, MD and CA are working with Carol Kenna and Charlton House to install an exhibition in the Old Study. CA expects dates to be confirmed soon. There are also plans to invite Thorntree Road School to be part of this, as it is celebrating its centenary in 2027. The exhibition  will cover the establishment of MWP, changes in the park, and celebrate 25 years of 

The Friends group. The Committee agreed that finances will be made available if there are costs involved in creating the exhibition. 

• Sculpture trail- It was agreed that the creation of the wood animal sculpture trail will be a stand-alone event in the Summer. EO will liaise with Creative Nature, Charlton Academy and Council representatives to discuss this further.

• Animal Park Open Day- Date to be confirmed. All agreed it would run on similar lines to last year’s successful event. 

2. Local Community Environmental Enhancements. Andrew Cowley, resident of Heathwood Gardens, is encouraging residents to create environmentally friendly front gardens. NZ agreed to contact Andrew for further details.

3. Greenwich Neighbourhood Growth Fund update 

EO informed the meeting that a decision regarding the application to the GNGF for interpretation panels to be installed in MWP. We will find out by the end of March if we have been successful. 

4. Parks Update 

• CT updated the meeting regarding the monthly litter pick. She provided the following attendance numbers: 

December 9 volunteers 

January 8 volunteers 

• CT has contacted the Friends of Oxleas to find out how they record volunteer numbers. CT reviewed the Friends Constitution and Council Risk Assessment. The council risk assessment states that emergency contact numbers are helpful. It was agreed that new items of basic first-aid equipment, e.g., Elastoplast, Savlon cream, and antiseptic wet wipes, will be kept in the litter-picking equipment bag. EO will also contact Friends groups to find out what they include in their first aid kits. CT will draft a form for volunteers to complete, which could include emergency contact details and any medical conditions they wish to disclose. 

• Spring Tree Planting- a date for this is to be confirmed.

• London Marathon- HGM reported that the day of the London Marathon is a good opportunity to raise awareness of MWP and Maryon Park (MP) amongst runners and spectators alike. Various ideas about how to do this were discussed

5. Adventure Play Centre Update 

We understand the Council is likely to close the Woolwich Adventure Play Centre. They are reported to be considering installing alternative equipment in the Clock House Community Centre, and have, hopefully, abandoned the idea of installing a multi-use games area, in Maryon Park (MP). 

6. Meeting with Council to discuss ways to finance the future of MWAP- This was scheduled for 28^th January at 2pm, RDA, Charlton Park. 
7. Royal Greenwich Local Plan- HGM outlined the main strands of the Local Plan
8. Environment Update 

• EO reported that Ava Marley, Conservation Officer, The Species Recovery Trust, has been in touch with EO and CA and the Council, regarding the Starved Wood sedge. This grass is an endangered species and was described as new to science in 1787 when it was found in Charlton Woods. At one point in history, only one plant was identified at Cheddar Gorge. MWP is the ideal habitat for the Starved Wood-sedge, and Ava wishes to reintroduce the plant in MWP. 

• EO reported that Gary O’Hara (Parks, Estates and Community Spaces) has been in discussion with the Butterfly Conservation Officer (SE). New buckthorn whips have been planted near the Woolwich Road entrance to MP to encourage the rare Brown Hairstreak butterfly that has been spotted in MP. 

9. Treasurer’s Report- NZ reported that there is £1664.68 in the Friends account.
10. MPCG report- CA outlined the contents of this report. Please see attached.
11. AOB 

• CA will write to the Council to ask it to provide some established trees to plant in MWP, to celebrate the centenary of MWP. 
• A brief discussion was held following Claire Lambert’s email requesting detailed information about Friends’ activities. 

12. GD informed the Committee that he plans to stand for the Green Party in the May local council elections. He offered to stand down from the Committee. However, he was thanked for the information and agreed that the situation would be monitored.
13. GS reported that Candy Blackman, author of ‘Green Greenwich’ (which features our parks) will be at the Charlton Society meeting on 21^st March 2026. Her book can be ordered from Amazon and Waterstones. EO will publicise this on social media. 

Next meeting:  

Committee meeting – Thursday, March 19th, 7 pm, Kinveachy Gardens

AGM- 16^th April 2026, St Thomas’ Church.