Having got past the feeling that it shouldn’t be necessary to form a ‘Friends’ group in order to protect what we already effectively own, would anyone like to help form such a group?
I did propose this in a letter which I had published in the Crawley Observer a few weeks ago, but I haven’t had any response. I’d like to stress that this would be a non-political group, the aim of it to be to improve and protect the park. The advantage of such a group is that funds can be applied for, over and above what is allocated in the Council budget. I won’t go into the politics of that one!
I was a member of the ‘Friends of Goffs Park’, when I was a Southgate councillor. I spent a very enjoyable morning, sawing rhododendrons and loading the pieces into a skip. My son had fun helping, too.
I don’t have a huge amount of spare time, and to reassure others who might be concerned about this, I don’t think the time demands would be huge. It would probably be a few mornings a year, pulling up oak saplings or rhododendron bashing etc. Good exercise and a bit of a laugh, too.
It surprises me that there are so many people claiming to have never been to, or even heard of Broadfield Park. This could be a good opportunity to raise the profile of the park, and maybe come up with some ideas for improvements.
If anyone is interested, you can contact me through this blog, or email me at ianirvine@blueyonder.co.uk
I also know that Cllr Lee Gilroy is interested in this, and can be contacted via the Town Hall.
You don’t have to live in Broadfield, anyone is welcome.
The latest news is that, as reported on the ‘Gatwick City of Ideas Discussion Forum’, work at the park will not now be starting until 2009.
Also, the Council will be getting a small rent for allowing the park to be used to house a compound. Apparently it will only be a few hundred pounds, in which case, why bother?
Tags: Broadfield, Broadfield Park, Crawley Borough Council, Gatwick City of Ideas Discussion Forum, Uncategorized
July 18, 2008 at 8:49 pm |
[...] Irvine is offering the prospect of rhodendron bashing for anyone who wants to become a friend of Broadfield Park. If I can get assurances that [...]
July 18, 2008 at 9:44 pm |
Its a dilemma isn’t it? One of the good things about Broadfield Park is its undiscovered nature, making it relatively free from crowds. Its a bit like telling everyone about that great unspoilt place you find on holiday.
The slightly run-down, gone-to-seed atmosphere about the place is also one of its attractions, but its gone way beyond being slighty run-down now. I might overcome my pathological dislike of gardening to join.
Do you know if a properly-constituted FOBP would be eligible to apply for grants from the landfill fund? I know that residents groups can apply, but not sure about other groups. Apparently it is an under-tapped source of funds.
July 18, 2008 at 10:03 pm |
Thanks Skuds, sounds like there’s imterest building!
I’ve never heard of the landfill fund but I see that there’s Friends groups springing up all over the country, and quite a few seem to be getting funding from the Lottery and elsewhere.
Wonder if the Council showed the Green Flag judges around Broadfield Park?
By the way, I believe Rhododendron bashing is a totally innocent activity. But then, I thought that Bashing the Bishop was what that biker bloke wanted to do to the gay American bishop in Putney church last Sunday.
August 18, 2008 at 1:52 pm |
I bumped into your cause whilst looking at photos of the restoration of Broadfield Park, Rochdale. I was fortunate enough to be involved the restoration of the pond in Rochdale whilst working for the Mersey Basin Campaign. Unless the situation has recently changed you can register with an organisation called ENTRUST who are responsible for landfill tax credit grant allocation (have a search round the internet for more info). Generally you will have to seek match funding from another source such as lottery funds. I would recommend having a full survey and report (including costs) produced by professionals for any improvement scheme to give potential funders confidence in your project. Mike (Aquatic Management Services)