Friends of Hedgemead Park

As many of you will know, for many years we have engaged with B&NES’s Parks Department to seek improvements to both Camden Lawn/Wild Camden as well as Hedgemead Park itself and the Council have responded by renovating the play area and improving the maintenance of the Park, although much still needs to be done with regard to Camden Lawn. 

With regard to the formal park, a few years ago the Council set up a ‘Friends Forum’ to create better links with the local community and seek their involvement and cooperation.  For example, last year we took part in a morning cleaning of the benches, and the fountain was restored and repainted.  Last weekend there was a litter-picking event for which volunteers were provided with bags and equipment by the Council.  We have also researched its history and find that it is 130 years old this summer for which we are planning a Fete on Sunday 21 July to mark the event. By demonstrating residents’ desire to use the park, the community is encouraging the Council to give it the proper care and maintenance. 

The Council is now encouraging supporters of the park to organise themselves as separately constituted group of Friends (rather than part of an ad-hoc meeting led by the Council).  Apparently many or most other parks in Bath have such Friends groups, which may be why they have had the lions’ share of the limited Council resources in the past. There will be a meeting of residents on Wednesday 24 April in the crypt at St Swithin’s church at 18.30 to decide whether to form a Friends group and if so, to approve a Constitution.  As you will see it is similar in form to the constitution of a residents’ association (including ours).

We firmly believe that the Council has only taken action to improve Hedgemead Park because of the interest shown by local residents.  If you value the park, even if you use it only occasionally, we urge as many as possible of you to come to the meeting on 24 April.  This would be a strong demonstration to the Council of community support, and it would also enable you to influence the development of the Friends Group.  The meeting will go on to elect a Chairman and Committee, and we also urge you to consider standing for these posts.

We suggest that, as well as individuals, the Camden Residents Association should become a group member of the Friends.  Your views would be welcome.

regards

Nigel Pollard, Graham & Caroline Groom