I just reserved and borrowed an audio book from Queen’s Park Library. They transferred it from another branch for me. I paid one credit for the reservation and one credit to borrow it for three weeks.
How will you spend your Time Credits?
You don’t have any? You can earn some this weekend AND get fit at the same time. Top up your Vitamin D in the sunshine, if we get any.
For more details, check the Gardening Sessions page.
Take a look at the latest Time Credits brochure here.
What a wonderful success! The Community Council, working with the co-operation of Veolia, Westminster Council and the Friends of Queen’s Park Gardens, organised a massive day of action in our beautiful neighbourhood.
For the volunteers, the day began in the Wildlife Area of Queen’s Park Gardens, where we had a quick health & safety talk, then tooled up with special t-shirts, green bags and hoops, pooper scoopers, litter pickers, gloves, and for some executive volunteers, stencils and a can or two of spray chalk.
We divided into groups to make a sweep of each street. One team did the long roads like Portnall and Bravington; another group combed the avenues running from Harrow Road and the little adjoining streets. We had people concentrating on Kilravock to Peach and finally a party was despatched to look after the park itself. We also had our dog expert, Crissie Chambers on the streets, giving advice to dog owners.
Mainly focussing our efforts on the road and pavement, we quickly filled our green bags, but if we saw a front garden that was looking a bit cluttered, we tapped on the front door asking for permission to clear the debris that had been left by passers-by. Some people had larger items and we asked if they’d like us to arrange a one-off collection for them today*.
Sadly, we also came across obstacles like these.
Huge items like this fridge freezer and a door had been left in the street. This is such a hazard for children and our many elderly neighbours and of course, it is illegal. This kind of fly-tipping is a big problem on the estate. If you do notice anything please call the council’s environment action line (020 7641 2000) or here.
We also found a lot of dog ends and dog mess, both of which are unnecessary if dealt with responsibly by caring members of the community. It is a shame that a few thoughtless people spoil our lovely streets for everyone else.
We were such a strong team of workers that we we had time to break for some lunch in St Jude’s Hall on Ilbert Street. Emma Morgan made a dash to Sainsbury, grabbing sandwiches and drinks for us all so that we could sit and rest for a while.
In the afternoon, we concentrated our efforts in The Mozart Estate, ending up on Dart Street with the Westminster Recycling Champions team, who had supported us so well today, and to return all of our tools to the lovely men from Veolia.
You can read more about the day and its intentions here. It was such a success that we we hope to hold another one in the coming months, unless all our neighbours and visitors get into the habit of cleaning up for themselves!
We met some wonderful people and had the chance to chat to new neighbours, thrilled to see us working to make our community a cleaner place. All this was in the glorious sunshine. Thank you to everyone who joined in, younger and older too.
Did you see us and talk to us? Would you like to join in the next time we do this? Contact the Community Council with your details and they’ll keep you informed via the mailing list.
There are more than 40 photos in our gallery. Thank you to Ray Lancashire for taking most of these.
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The first day of Spring has passed and the park changes almost daily.
Have you noticed that a new flowering cherry tree was planted in the rose garden in the middle of winter? Its first blossoms are showing now.
There are lovely, furry catkins in the rose garden
and the blackbirds appreciate variety of ground cover.
In the wilder corner, you can just see a flowering currant coming into bloom as well.
As you leave the rose garden, you can’t miss the cheerful yellow of the Forsythia.
Among the bushes just outside the rose garden, the flowering cherry is in full swing.
Elsewhere around the park are various kinds of berberis
and even the humble daisy is pleased to see the sunshine.
The blackthorns are brightening up the hedges around the park railings.
and if you keep your eyes open while you’re walking around the estate, there are some treats in the gardens. This lovely camellia is in a street very near the park.
This winter has been relatively mild and many plants are showing signs of welcoming Spring. It’s not long before our first gardening session of the year on 14th March.
The Friends of Queens Park Gardens braved the dog mess to take a few photos of the changing shrubs.
Snowdrops by the Third Avenue gate
Hellebores in the Wildlife Area
The oval bed in the Rose Garden
Bulbs in the Rose Garden
The triangular bed by the Outdoor Gym (great to see so many people using it)
Nothing happening with the trees yet but they’re still beautiful
Snow doesn’t always come to London. When it does, it rarely settles but this morning we woke to find a inch of white carpet so we took some pictures before it melted.
Westminster have provided a temporary area to bring your Christmas tree when you’ve finished with it.
It’s by the gate near the corner of Fourth Avenue and Ilbert Street and can be used between 8am and 8pm. Tel: 020 7641 2000 More details at their website.
Recycling Christmas Cards for the Woodland Trust
Between 2nd and 31st January 2015 for every 1,000 cards donated to the Woodlands Trust, they will be able to plant one tree.
Last year more than 8 million cards were collected, enabling the Woodland Trust to plant more than 8,000 trees throughout the UK.
Over the past five years the Woodland Trust has planted 34,000 trees across the UK. The more cards collected, the more trees can planted by the Woodland Trust.
Look out for special card collection bins in Marks & Spencer stores from 2nd January through to 31st January 2015.
We would like to thank everyone who volunteered their time and effort this year in the Queen’s Park Gardens Wildlife Area and Rose Garden.
From the Friends of Queen’s Park Gardens we wish you a joyous Holiday Season and a prosperous and healthy New Year.
We hope to see you all again next year.
For the first time, Queen’s Park Gardens had an Outdoor Winter Festival.
Organised by TELL – IT Parents’ Action Group, it took place in the Rose Garden.
There was a variety of entertainment and the Community Council had mince pies and mulled wine..
The over 50’s kicked the events off with festive entertainment in St Jude’s Church beforehand!
Queen’s Park Gardens – Multi Use Games Area (MUGA)
The planned improvement works to the Games Area and the provision of the new outdoor gym at Queens Park Gardens commenced on Monday 6th October.
What’s the Timescale?
The works to resurface the MUGA will be completed by 12th December.
The installation of the floodlighting will take up to 2 months to complete as it involves working with UK Power Network to install the power supply.
What will the facility look like when it’s finished?
The facility remains a ‘hard court’ surface. Key changes are new fencing to split the courts and allow different activities to take place at the same time, new goals, floodlights and a dedicated entrance off Ilbert St.
The photo below taken from the Paddington Recreation MUGA gives an indication of how it will look with the green colour macadam coating and line markings
If you have any questions about the new fitness equipment, please leave a comment below..
Congratulations to Queen’s Park Community Council for organising their first fireworks display. Super conditions for fireworks; dry, no wind and a clear sky.
If you didn’t manage to come along to the event here is a sample of what you missed!
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