03 02 2025
The Woodlawns Centre
Present
Nigel Duckers – Minutes Secretary
Evan Lerwill – Co-chair
Stephanie Charalambous – Co-Chair
Dino Skeete
Rosena Skeete
Tom Stanbury
Nick Peacock
Tony Emerson
Andreas Kappes (Comms)
Melodie Everett
Cllr Liz Atkins
Lucy Metcalfe
Sarah Beale
Tony McDermott
Lizzie Kennedy
Robert Doyle
Hester Waterfield
Eleanor Clough-Delaney
Amy Roe
Apologies
Cllr Rezena Chowdury
Will Palau
Paola Serrau
Police Constables: Hand, Greener, Archer
| WELCOME AND APOLOGIES The Chairs welcomed attendees and introductions were made. |
| MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed to be a true and accurate record. |
| NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE Four officers from the neighbourhood police attended the meeting; Sergeant Nick Archer and three constables. The following matters were discussed: Repeated vandalism of the Hive. The police are optimistic that they have a suspect. The community was reassured that hate crime was no a motive and that the person concerned was not a danger to residents; his modus operandi to attack windows in the small hours. How to contact the police? They have mailbox but Sgt Archer was happy to give his mobile contact to the Chairs and Tom. We agreed that contact details would be put on the Friends’ website. Nature Garden: there have been two recent events of concern, a naked man on a bench and a man who exposed himself. There is also drug use. Residents felt the Nature Gardens were generally safe and wished to avoid fear-mongering. Paths and overgrown areas are being cleared and the police encouraged increased footfall as a deterrent. CCTV had been raised with the Council but there is no funding. Crime Figures: there are roughly 80 crimes/month and 16 arrests; a relatively low number of incidents, especially in the park. There was discussion as to whether leaving the park unlocked had increased crime; it was generally thought not. Couple living in car: a couple were reported to have been living in a car on Cricklade Avenue and drug dealing. The police were aware of this. However, because the vehicle was not lost or stolen their powers to move it were limited. They were monitoring the situation but unable to catch drug-dealers red-handed. The Co-chair thanked the police for attending and expressed a wish to maintain close future contact. |
| TENNIS See report from Dino Skeate: Appendix 1 The meeting discussed how best to celebrate 100 years of tennis in the park. Paola and Melodie are crowdfunding to support tennis in the park and considering making a promotional video. It was suggested that the fundraising should be for a specific purpose eg lights, or repainting the courts. There was also discussion of the condition of the recently installed nets, which are being eaten by foxes. Meredydd has suggested it may be possible to prevent their entry by blocking up gaps under the gates. |
| EVENTS We have not held an even in the PRNG for some time (since Covid) and are planning a May event. Suggestions included a maypole; a craft volunteer (Eleanor); music from Kingsdale school trad band, or Panache (Eleanor and Nick have agreed to investigate) . The Hive are interested in partnering with us. Sports day: is schedule for September and should reflect the anniversary of the park and 100 years of tennis. Rosena will coordinate. Stargazing: given how weather dependent this is it was though that it would best happen organically. But there was enthusiasm for the activity. Eleanor suggested fund-raising at a Quiz Night: Robert will ask the Woodlands Centre if it could be an available venue to host a quiz. |
| UPDATE FROM PARTNERSHIP BOARD This had taken place on the previous Monday, chaired by Liz with Meredydd present. We chased up the removal of graffiti (eg on the murals); no progress to date. There is funding to replace the broken noticeboard; but not the benches. There was extensive discussion as to how coordination could be improved between the park management and gardening volunteers. Tom pointed out that there wasn’t a proper gardening plan. Liz defended this on the basis of cuts. Nigel asked if it would be possible to have a simple list from Meredydd. Liz was asked to raise this with him. The issue of the Friends retaining more revenue from the park (eg tennis courts) as a basis of taking on more maintenance was also raised. |
| DEPOT On Friday 7th we are meeting with a local architect (Kuros Sarshar) to get his input on developing the depot. Steph will ask the council about usage and whether we would need to pay a peppercorn rent. |
| COMMUNITY GARDENS It is a dormant period in the community gardens (allotment. The new agreement is in place with the council that establishes the basis for collecting rent and allocating allotments. There are 3 people on the waiting list. |
| GARDENING GROUP See report: Appendix 2 Paul and Meredydd have discussed the reintroduction of hives, managed by experienced beekeepers. We have asked if we could get access to power tools and training; and been turned down. Tom was asked about varying the times for the gardening group from Saturday morning. He does issue ad-hoc invites and invited everyone to respond. There was some debate as to whether the PRNG had actually been designated as such. The council are planning to do the forms. |
| AOB Dino is planning on using the tennis noticeboard to advertise tennis events. He will also research getting a separate shed for tennis equipment (as discussed previously). Decathlon have a scheme to strategically site sports lockers and we are keen to apply. Evan will express our interest. |
| DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS 24th March 25 – 7.30 23rd June 25 29th Sept 25 17th Nov 25 AGM |
Friends of Hillside Gardens And Palace Road Nature Garden 