23 June 2025 – Friends of Hillside Gardens and Palace Road Nature Garden meeting (Depot yard – Hillside Gardens).
Attendees:
Nigel; Amy; Pam Dean; Gina Deave; Dino Skeete; Robert Doyle; Chris Townsend; Melodie Everett; Paola Serran; Nick Peacock; Andreas Kappes; Mark Mendoza; Evan Lerwill; Hester; Tom Stanbury
Apologies:
Steph; Rosena; Alan
Chairs report
Report presented. Discussion about littering in the park which has increased, especially in MUGAs. Wider problem in all Lambeth parks according to Mered. Discussed possible solutions (signage, contacting local schools; bin solutions in MUGAs.
Action: Contact local schools, Request signage from Lambeth (provided on 26 June)
Discussed progress with licencing. Agreed that licence to operate was costly with little benefit given Friends are currently provided access. Still a lack of clarity from Lambeth about the duration and terms of lease, and outstanding actions around blueprints for building and usage category. Nick noted the officer that was dealing with the issue has left with no one else seemingly in place. Attendees expressed consistent views in benefits of lease model that would allow serving of beverages/snacks.
Action: Contact Lambeth around outstanding questions with lease.
Volunteers thanked for all their time and effort in helping support activity in the park.
Gardening group
Tom presented the gardening group report, acknowledging Nick’s efforts in assembling the composting bays in the depot. Noted that Lambeth’s involvement in the park has been limited (seemingly with only one visit this year from the parks team outside of the mowing). Noted that the upcoming In Bloom accreditation scheme has pushed them for activity. Noted no response received to our concerns about the felling of trees with nesting parakeets. Robert thanked for his efforts in maintaining the notice boards, which have their new Perspex.
Noted a wooden structure erected on the walled side of court 3 with no notification for Lambeth.
Nature garden and pond works
Nick talked about the grant provided for the pond words, and plan to replace the large pond with several smaller ones and build a wheelchair accessible dipping platform.
TCV working in partnership in delivering the project, coming in the second week of July to start the works. Refreshments and tools provided for volunteers who wish to help.
Starbucks scheduled to do a corporate volunteer session tomorrow, with members of the local community.
Butterfly and nature walk took place over the weekend around the nature garden and Palace Road estate which was a success.
Community growing area
The community growing area has healthy numbers with all plots taken and 5 new members having recently started/about to start.
An update was sought on the shed situation and arranging a separate shed for sports equipment. Crowdfunding discussed a way to raise money for shed. Dino suggested purchasing his own shed for his sports equipment.
Action: Dino to explore shed solution further
Tennis
Dino provided an update on the positive success of Hillside team across south London tournaments.
Barclays have contacted us about using two courts on Saturday morning between 10 and 11 for training for aspiring coaches. Majority of attendees expressed a view this would not work for the park given the amount of activity that already takes place at the time, although the idea in principle was not a bad one.
Future events
Andreas discussed his meeting with Lambeth events team (with Steph in attendance). The meeting agreed we would arrange two events, these being:
Sunday 14 September – Community sports and fun day, followed by a film screening in the evening.
Friday 31 October – Halloween event in the Nature Garden.
Action: Andreas will liaise with the events team (along with Steph and Eleanor) to confirm arrangements and establish what’s needed from the Friends. Subgroup to be set up for Sports/Community day
Friends of Hillside Gardens And Palace Road Nature Garden 