Category Archives: Parks & open spaces

Get involved in this year’s Bermondsey Carnival

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Southwark Council is calling on local organisations, traders or performers to get in touch and be a part of 2014’s Bermondsey Carnival. Whether you are a charity, food and drink specialist, dancer or musician – Southwark wants to hear from you.

 Last year more than 6,000 people attended the free event to celebrate the summer in Southwark and all it has to offer. This year’s event will take place on Saturday 28 June at Southwark Park, and with live music, a funfair and entertainment for all the family – this year’s event is set to be another great day out.

A council spokesperson said: “The carnival is an amazing opportunity for local groups, traders and entertainers to show people what they do. It is a platform like no other, so we would really encourage everyone to get involved this year, even if it’s offering an extra pair of hands on the day, and help us make 2014 one to remember.”

Southwark events like Bermondsey Carnival can only happen with the help of local volunteers, so whether you have volunteered before in a similar event or not, the carnival is a great opportunity to get involved and have a fun and rewarding day out at the same time. Volunteer opportunities include assisting artists and performers, stewarding parades, setting up event areas and stage managing.

 So if you have a fun and exciting idea for this year, or want to put yourself forward as a volunteer – get in touch with the events team and take part in this year’s carnival. http://www.southwark.gov.uk/bermondseycarnival

More details of new Southwark Park Athletics Track

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Southwark Council has revealed more details of the proposed revamp of the athletics track at Southwark Park.

The proposals to be put forward will include reinstating the athletics track and creating a grassed central pitch to enable, for the first time, a full programme of athletics activities to be delivered for people of all abilities.

Activities will include:

  • Six lane Athletics Track with eight lane 100m straight
  • Long/Triple Jump
  • High jump
  • Pole Vault
  • Hammer/Discus cage
  • Shot put
  • Javelin

The proposal also includes plans to amend the boundary of the sports facility to provide additional land for users of the park.

Funding has also been confirmed for the refurbishment of the park’s pavilion. A public consultation and design development will take place over the next few months.

Councillor Veronica Ward, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure, Sport and Volunteering said: “This is a really exciting step for Southwark, and especially for users of Southwark Park and local athletes as a part of our Olympic and Paralympic Legacy. We also hope that the refurbished pavilion will provide facilities to support the athletics development, as well as changing rooms, toilets and refreshment facilities for the benefit of park users.”

Last month the new London City Athletics Club held its launch event – a 10k run – in the park.

 

 

A lido in Southwark Park?

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park lido photo

Photo by victoriapeckham

Last week Southwark Liberal Democrats published their manifesto for the borough elections to be held in May this year.

From the policy paper published alongside the manifesto:

Southwark Liberal Democrats have long supported a refurbishment of Seven Islands Leisure Centre. A Liberal Democrat administration will make this happen, but go further than the current plans by providing a new outdoor lido pool in the heart of Southwark Park.

Extra cash for Russia Dock Woodland and Southwark Park

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Russia Dock Woodland and Southwark Park are among eight open spaces in the borough which have secured grants of £10,000 each from the Queen Elizabeth II Fields London Legacy Fund.

The funding will be put towards new natural play equipment in Russia Dock Woodland whilst Southwark Park will see improvements to the paved area at Ada Salter Gardens and the installation of a new artificial cricket pitch.

Councillor Barrie Hargrove, cabinet member for transport, environment and recycling, said: “I am pleased to have been successful in the bids for the London Legacy Funding.

“We now have the opportunity to further invest in our parks with new play facilities for young people and landscape improvements.

“It’s been a fantastic year for our parks across the borough. Not only have we received new Green Flag Awards and opened a first class BMX track, but we’ve also had a really positive response from our recent resident satisfaction survey results.”

Revamped farmyard at Surrey Docks Farm opened by Val Shawcross

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Val Shawcross, London Assembly member for Lambeth & Southwark, has officially opened the revamped farmyard at Surrey Docks Farm.

“I was delighted to be invited to open the new-look farmyard at Surrey Docks Farm,” said Val.

“The farm is a fantastic local charity and a real jewel in Rotherhithe’s crown. It’s fascinating fun to come and watch all the animals, and this morning as usual there were a number of children having a great time making friends with the goats. T

“he new surface in the yard will make cleaning and drainage easier and makes it very clear that visitors need to wash their hands after being in the animals’ area.

“Gary Jones the farm manager and his team have done a fantastic job – this project has been a real team effort, with input from staff, volunteers and farm committee members. Everyone has shown a great deal of perseverance which has paid off today.

“If you’ve not visited the farm before I highly recommend it – it’s a great day out for anyone of any age.’

The farmyard refurbishment project was funded by the Biffa Award scheme, the Worshipful Company of Farmers and British Land/Surrey Quays Shopping Centre who donated the proceeds of their 2012 Christmas Appeal.

 

Southwark Park’s coronation tree rededicated

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Coronation Tree Photo 5 19 06 2013 Coronation Tree Photo 2 19 06 2013

A chestnut tree planted by London County Council in Southwark Park in 1953 to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II has been rededicated to mark its 60th anniversary.

The rededication ceremony took place on 19 June  which also coincided with the 140th anniversary of the opening of Southwark Park.

A plaque and new railings were unveiled by  Jenny Bianco, deputy lieutenant for Southwark.

Gary Glover, chair of the Friends of Southwark Park, said:  “It was a lovely to have the Queen’s representative to unveil the the new plaque and railings to celebrate the Queen’s accession to the throne.”

He said that the 60-year-old tree is “as strong as ever” even though it was nearly lost in the great storm of October 1987.

 

 

Bee Observation Centre at Stave Hill

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Children from St John's Primary School attend the official opening of the Bee Observation Centre in Stave Hill Ecological Park VF_01_bees
The Bee Observation Centre officially opened at Stave Hill Ecology Park last week and provides a safe way for children and members of the public to watch a working glass fronted hive from a wooden hut without the risk of getting stung.
The kids who came to the opening were the reception year (4-5) from St John’s Primary School in Rotherhithe .
The hives are cared for by beekeeper of the year Sharon Bassey.
Thanks to Vicki Flores of What’s in Wapping for the pics.

Help the Salter Statues appeal raise another £34,000

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Alfred and Ada Salter

The fundraising campaign to replace the stolen sculpture of Dr Alfred Salter has raised over £16,000. Southwark Council will match all donations with the aim of reaching the £100,000 needed.

The Salter Statues Campaign is appealing to residents and local business to help raise the additional money to replace the statue of Dr Alfred Salter, which was stolen in 2011, and to create a new statue of his wife, Ada, who served as a councillor and Mayor of Bermondsey.

The campaign – spearheaded by Bermondsey and Rotherhithe residents – needs to raise £50,000 to fund new statues of the pair who lived in Bermondsey from the 1890s up until their deaths, which will be matched by the council.

The money will be used to buy two statues to be placed on Bermondsey Wall called Dr Salter’s Daydream 2013. The new statues have been designed by artist Diane Gorvin to create a family group which will include the original sculptures of their daughter Joyce, and her cat.

“Alfred and Ada Salter made a significant contribution to the welfare of Bermondsey and it will be a fitting tribute to raise enough money to buy the statues,” said Cllr Veronica Ward, cabinet member for Culture, Leisure and Sport.

“Southwark Council is generously matching the donations so I would encourage anyone to make a donation so we will be able to have a permanent reminder of their life and work in Bermondsey for years to come.”

Donations can be made through the website: www.salterstatues.co.uk

Diane welcomes additional photographs of Alfred and Ada Salter to ensure their likenesses are as accurate as possible. Any photos or contributions should be sent to [email protected] or call 020 7525 0860.