Between the AGMs of 10 Feb 2011 and 3 March 2012, Millfields Users Group …
Park design
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turned a council proposal for a path straight through the middle of the orchard, into a winding path at the edge under the trees linking with the new footbridge
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persuaded the council to do away with cyclist priority on the Black Path (after 3 years of asking)
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involved users in a working group on the Casimir Road entrance area
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involved users in a working group on play
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negotiated improvement of the National Grid proposal for removing the lay-by
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negotiated postponement of National Grid proposals for their gate area, pending a full review of the design by MUG
Safety & maintenance
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got the council to update the obsolete emergency phone numbers displayed in the park
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pressed for regular emptying of bins, (as usual)
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pressed British Waterways to repair the broken rail facing the Black Path, and make the newly-installed bridge rail safe by plugging the end
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got rid of the hazardous puddle / ice patch and misleading signage on the Black Path
Fun
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ran a Family Fun Day which attracted some 400 people
Plants & wildlife
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transplanted 4 fruit trees donated by Beecholme allotments into the park & arranged their aftercare
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weeded & mulched the orchard and started winter pruning during which we
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hosted a pruning course by Garden Organic
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ran 2 pruning courses for park users funded from by a grant from Re:Leaf
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co-organised a bat walk which led to the waste station changing its lighting regime to improve bat habitat
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organised a community bulb planting day
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supported a guerilla weeding and bulb planting on the riverside ‘wildflower bed’
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invited Young Hackney to build bird boxes for the park
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contributed to the LBH Biodiversity Action Plan
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agreed a biodiversity plan for the park with the council and worked on implementing it
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worked with the council and EcoActive on a schools biodiversity programme, including meadow plantings in March 2012
Events policy
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commented critically on the LBH draft Events Policy, twice
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exposed abuse of the park by funfairs in 2011
Developments affecting the park
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opposed LBWF’s approval of development on Essex Wharf
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supported opposition to an Olympic take-over of Leyton Marsh this summer
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commented on the Lea Valley Regional Park Authority’s draft area proposals – its 10-year plan for the regional park which includes Millfields – and contributed to the Lea Valley Federation response
Community links
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built up contact with Jack Watts TRA, Millfields Estate TRA, the Guinness Trust and Circle 33 and kept up contact with Beecholme Estate TRA and the Riverside Close residents’ group
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developed contacts with gardening, nature and cycling activities in local schools, and with Young Hackney
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worked with the Tree Musketeers, Hackney Community Tree Nursery, Hackney Parks Forum, Thames21/Love the Lea, and Hackney Biodiversity Partnership
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worked to keep and improve our liaison with local councillors
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kept or developed contacts with cricketers, footballers and local school cycle trainers
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explored contacts with the Dogs Trust
Parks department
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pressed for the Parks Development team to do a better job of consulting and informing us
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publicised the good work of the gardeners
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resisted the destruction of the council Tree Gang
Running and developing the group
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set up an interim web site and posted news, planning documents, minutes etc
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ran several summertime stalls in the park
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improved our presence on the park noticeboards (such as they are)
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increased our membership/mailing list from 240 to 340
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raised grants and donations to buy a mini-marquee for stalls and events, run the fun day, publish a news-sheet and run the orchard pruning courses
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made some progress on a permanent website but haven’t finished it
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organised 4 group meetings
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and had 12 committee meetings
… which leaves plenty to do in 2012-2013 …