Friends of Maryon and Maryon Wilson Parks
Open Meeting Agenda
Thursday July 9th, 2026, at 7.30 pm
Venue: Kinveachy Gardens
Minutes
Present- Christine, Chair (CA) Elen (EB) Emma- Secretary (EO) Gary (GD), Gulle (GS),
Apologies- Natalie, Treasurer (NZ) Mickey, Catherine, Steve
1. CA opened the meeting. Minutes of the previous meeting agreed as correct.
2. Maryon Wilson Animal Park Open Day Review. All agreed that the day was very successful with lots of interest in the Friend’s work and several new members joined the Friends’.
3. Maryon Summer in the Park Picnic, June 28th, 2026, Review. CA described a quiet build up but eventually the event was well attended, with lots of activities for children. EB had an opportunity to make a speech about the Friends. We discussed using the Donate Now app, as shown to is by a worker with WASUP (Woolwich Service Users Provision) to make card donations. Action: Explore other online donations.
4. Update on the Maryon Wilson Park Centenary exhibition at Charlton House- Plans are in progress for Mayor David Gardner and Councillor Jo Van den Broek to undertake a formal visit to the exhibition on July 23rd, 2026.
5. Treasurer’s update- EO gave this update, in the absence of NZ.
Current balance
£7892.04 (including £69.15 from Maryon Park Picnic and £42.10 from Maryon Wilson Animal Park Open Day, and £6330 from RBG for interpretation panels and £1000 for wood sculpture workshops)
Expenses
£99.99- Gazebo
£153.60- Materials for centenary display
Balance less commitments
£562.04
6. Parks News
• CA informed the meeting that fly tipping is an ever-increasing problem in Maryon Wilson Park. CA and EB will follow up specific areas with the Council and Fix my Street.
• CA explained what gas works were occurring at the entrance to Cemetery Lane, Maryon Wilson Park. This affects where we can plant 4 donated Plane trees. However, one tree can replace a dead Oak tree close to the entrance.
• GS informed the meeting of a fallen tree along the McCall path. CA will report this to the trees team.
7. Supporters of Royal Borough of Greenwich Animal Park Update- GD
GD updated the committee on the proposed establishment of a Friends sub-committee, to prioritise fundraising and help to manage and develop the Animal Park.
• GD has the names of 6 interested committee members.
• There is no issue with the new sub-committee having a separate bank account linked to the Friend’s account.
• GD will follow up sponsorship opportunities with Councillor Van den Broek and Andrew Donkin. It was agreed at the meeting that an invitation would be extended to Councillor Van den Broek to join the sub-committee.
8. Rabbits
GD informed the meeting that the Animal Park currently has no rabbits. An anonymous donor has offered to purchase two new rabbits.
9. Parksfest Update- GD outlined a draft plan of events confirmed for the forthcoming festival (September 13 th, 2026).
• Events include animal park tours, animal wood sculpture workshops with Creative Nature and mass community planting in the reinvigorated wildflower meadow. Guided walks will also be offered. There will be an afternoon of music by local artists. EB has secured some great artists. Supporters of Save the White Swan Campaign will also provide some music. Students from Charlton Park Academy will be performing in the festival.
• Refreshments will be provided by local suppliers.
• A sound system has been sourced by EB.
• CT and ST have kindly agreed to supply electricity from their home.
• Portaloos will be hired.
• GD will complete the events licence.
• Conservation Update- EO
• Bramble has started to regrow in the area cleared by the TCV for the reintroduction of the starved wood-sedge. EO and GD have applied mulch to this area, but this will be an on-going concern.
• The TCV has asked if the Friends can fund 10 bags of gravel for its plan to install stepping stones. This was agreed.
• Discussed priority areas for TCV to focus on, during future corporate volunteering days.
• EO is currently applying to the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association for funding to reinvigorate the wildflower meadow in Maryon Wilson Park and install a picnic bench on the site of a paddling pool in Maryon Wilson Park.
10. Interpretation Panels Update- EO outlined serious concerns about the draft design for the interpretation panels.
• The Committee agreed to give Shelleys signs, an opportunity to redress this
• A meeting was planned for members of the committee to meet on July 14th at 3.30 pm to discuss this further (NB this meeting did not go ahead but amendments were sent by email).
Next Open Meeting: Thursday October 8th at 7.30 pm. Venue to be confirmed.
