Friends of Lyttelton
Credit: Wikipedia
Following consultation with Barnet Council, I am pleased to announce the establishment of the first ever ‘Friends of Lyttelton’ group, whose mission is to represent the interests of local stakeholders in discussions with Barnet Council, and alongside the Council to develop and deliver a plan to improve the utility of the park for its users and for wildlife.
Given the significant size of the park, its easy to access location, and the relative under-utilisation of large amounts of the space, it represents a significant opportunity to become a better resource for residents and visitors, as well as to satisfy the ambitions of Barnet Council to make the space more wildlife friendly (complementing the more formal planting and parkland in other local parks).
As this is well aligned with the ambitions of the wider Britain’s Biggest Living Garden project, the coordination of the Friends Group will fall under its umbrella, and be managed under the constitution and bank accounts of the HGS Residents’ Association to minimise additional overhead and complexity.
It has been agreed that the committee of the Friends Group will be set up using a representative structure as outlined by the Community Action Network “how to” guide. Under this structure no individual is directly appointed to the committee, but key stakeholder groups are invited to send a representative to join the committee if they wish to do so. This enables the interests of a wide range of stakeholders to be represented and has been judged by Barnet Council to be in the best interests of Lyttelton, given its diverse user groups.
Organisations that have been invited to appoint a member to the committee:
Britain’s Biggest Living Garden (Chair)
Henrietta Community Orchard Garden
Bishopswood Bowls Club
HGS Residents’ Association
Mutton Brook Action Group
Kerem School
Keren’s Nursery
Barnet Council (note that Barnet policy is not to take up seats on Friends Groups, but to make Council staff available as needed to join meetings if possible)
A wider group of ‘Friends’ will be formed who wish to express their views, ideas and interests in the development and management of this community space and/or to volunteer in community events organised to improve the park for visitors and wildlife.
The next such event is scheduled for the afternoon of Sunday 19th January, for the planting of over 400 hedging whips around the community orchard garden.
To become a Friend of Lyttelton or express your views about the park please:
Join the whatsapp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DH68tihpDYCHE73tUhfh2l
Submit your details and thoughts using this form: CLICK HERE
