Proudly presenting, at the park near you… Raglan Avenue

Posted on March 14 by Kerry Hood

People digging holes and planting trees in Raglan Avenue

We are very grateful to Raglan School Eco-council for funding and planting a new row of trees, along side the all-weather path, to form an avenue… christened Raglan Avenue!

Phil applying a sledge hammer to stake a new tree

About 20 parents and friends turned out to plant and stake the new trees, with lots of help from the children of Raglan school. The new trees look fantastic!

The kinds of trees that we planted were:

goat willow (salix caprea)
silver birch (betula pendula)
flag pole flowering cherry (prunus serrulata amanogawa)
common/european beech (Fagus sylvatica)
golden leaved elm (Ulmus carpinifolia aurea)
variety of plum (prunus sp.)
liquid amber or american sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
flowering cherry (Prunus subhirtella autumnalis rosea)

Your Invitation to our VE Day Big Lunch

Posted on February 22 by Kerry Hood

We’re looking forward to seeing you this year!

Havelock Big Lunch celebrates VE Day 75

We hope to see you there for our 2020 Big Lunch on Saturday 2nd May. We’ll be celebrating VE Day 75 with old school games, tea, cakes, BBQ, drinks, raffle, tombola and more.

Costumes are very much encouraged to help the celebrations!

Please let us know if you plan on coming on our Facebook event – CLICK HERE – and help us spread the word by sharing the event on with the options below, on social media, WhatsApp groups and amongst all your friends. If you’d like a poster to display, then please reply to this email.

More events coming this year so be sure to like our Facebook page to stay in the loop.

Friends of Havelock Rec Committee xx

Our FAB Big Lunch from 25th May

Posted on May 22, 2019 by Kerry Hood

Here’s some of the best pics from this year’s Even Bigger Big Lunch!

We had a fantastic time, and the sun even shone for part of it.

Thanks so much to all the people who volunteered, sponsored, baked, and helped us! Including everybody who turned up 🙂

Big Lunch 2019 style

lady with wrapped and ribboned cake with chocolate stick biscuit sides

Our amazing raffle prize, baked by Michelle!

lady with superwoman apron in gazebo with cakes

Michelle and the Cake and Refreshment Stall, Don’t you Love the Superwoman apron!

Fun stalls set up for the Big Lunch

Panned view of the fun!

Exotic African birds arrive over Havelock Rec!

Posted on May 7, 2019 by Kerry Hood

This weekend the swifts arrived back over Havelock Rec. These African birds journey all the way to the UK to take advantage of our longer daylight hours to raise their families, and only stay until their youngsters leave the nest, before heading straight back to warmer climes.

swifts in the air over Havelock Rec

Our local RSPB group is looking for volunteers to help survey the local summer visitors, as their numbers have suffered a decline of over 50%: [see the RSPB page here].

The British Trust for ornithology has tracked their migrations [see the BTO page here] and it is an epic journey: over the notoriously stormy Bay of Biscay, across the Sahara, and all the way south of the equator:

migration path over Spain, Morocco, West Africa to Tanazania

BTO map of swift migrations from Fowlmere to Tanzania

Every day that a bird has a nest, and is going to-and-fro to it, increases the chances of becoming dinner for a predator, so the swifts decrease the amount of time their young are vunerable in the nest by coming north to the UK’s longer daylight hours. Swifts are very air dynamic but it means their legs are not very useful, so if you find one on the ground, they need to be thrown up in the air before they can fly away. Once they fledge, they spend about 2 years on the wing, even sleeping in the air. This means that they can’t help their young once they leave the nest, so they depart straight back to Africa.

Management Plan

Posted on January 5, 2019 by Kerry Hood

First Draft of the Havelock Rec Management Plan (extracts from)

These are extracts from the first draft (November 2018) of our management plan. It only contains the bits thought to be of more interest to park users, as they already know where the park is, how large it is, and can look at the Friends objectives elsewhere on the website.

About This Plan

This is the first management plan for Havelock Recreation Ground.
It is expected that it would have minor revisions every 2 years.
The layout attempts to be concise, with appendices to explore information, such as survey results, policies, and census data, in full.

2.1 Aim:
The intention is to prepare a plan to develop a strategic and practical framework to improve the park for all parties with an interest.
The purpose of this plan is to:
* Identify, discuss and resolve issues relating to park infrastructure, park users and available resources
* Describe the method of managing and maintaining Havelock Recreation Ground
* Identify and address who is responsible for specific aspects of management and maintenance
* Deliver a benchmark against which delivery and performance can be measured.
* Share knowledge and experiences

2.3 Authorship:
The plan has been drawn up by Kerry Hood from the Friends of Havelock Rec (FOHR), with the collaboration of our committee and the chair Emma Prescott. A template was provided by Caroll Long (as cited on this Friends Forum list) the park’s officer at the council contractors, Idverde.

2.4 Consultation:
Park users were surveyed so that they had a chance to input into the process. Initially this was by interviewing them on the field, later by featuring on the Friend’s website. Though the local businesses, including the Nursery leasing part of the park, were reached out to, none of them responded.

The park is in the SE corner of the Bromley Town ward. The surrounding roads are inhabited by a blue/white collar, white and mixed race people.
These are the roads that many of the park users live in:

The columns are from the survey results of (1) the 70 results in 2018; (2) the 2015 one for the village green application of 90 results. Homesdale road is characterised by a lot of flats; some older ones above the shops, and many in the new blocks (since the year 2000) at the A21 end.
Census data was obtained from Streetcheck website, who had already categorised it. It was collated over several of the census areas close to the park (see Appendix A1):

When the park’s friends group was formed in 2015, the park was not well maintained and gave the incorrect appearance of being un-loved. This section is about the changes to the park since then.

6.1 Improvements on the Ground

In February 2015, Dr Judy Johns did a biodiversity report on the park, and made some recommendations, which the friends have attended to, though some proposals had to be amended to reflect other things that have come to light since. The full report is in Appendix 3: Biodiversity Report from 2015.

Temporary notice boards were placed at the entrances, having gained special permission, in spring 2015.
In 2017, Idverde started to litter pick it a few times a week in the early morning. This has improved the park and we find that a tidy park discourages dog owners from not picking up.

Trees (broadleaf) were planted to replace gaps in the perimeter planting, but those over the rubble infill of the brick pit, have suffered in dry spell the park suffers from every June, so many are struggling and a few have died. The ones behind the houses on the Havelock side of the Park, have been watered by residents with gates onto the park, and have mostly thrived.

Some spare Scots Pine trees were planted the SE corner, forming a pleasant grove at the end of the hedge, in the winter of 2017. At the time of writing, after re-staking in 2018, they are alive.
The friends have been planting a hedge along the chain link fence, in winters of 2015/6/7 – these whips tend to be thinned out in the June dry-out so this area is getting a natural dispersed layout with a variety of species, provided (and thanks to) Evo Energy.

In spring 2018 it was finally agreed to leave an area of longer grass to provide a meadow area and improve bio-diversity. This meadow area changed (from the one recommended in the Biodiversity Report, Appendix A3). It is narrower against the northern chain-link-fence boundary, due to wanting benches to be attractive/accessible) and added around the trees on the southern boundary because that was the only part with the original London Clay underneath.

Dogwood (coloured) was planted at Homesdale road entrance, though there are gaps that need replacing.

In 2018 the friends restored the Canadian High commission plaque in memory of Patricia Ann Drennan that was removed when the nursery expanded.

6.2 Improvements with the Park’s status

When it was announced that a school would be built on the park, the friends applied for Town Green legal status for the park, but the council refused to register it.

However, the park was registered as a Local Community Asset (number 18 for Bromley) under the Local Government Act.

In 2016 it became possible to register parks (among other sites) as Green Spaces and the friends successfully applied for this.

The following improvements to the park, have been carefully considered by the (Friends of Havelock Rec) committee, and plotted on the following map of the park (please see our page with the Friend’s Vision Statement):

• Improvement of the park entrance from Homesdale Road. At present it is some broken railings, which gives the wrong impression of how loved the park is. In two parts: (1) planting coloured dogwood, with foxgloves and daffodil/spring bulbs, down one side. (2) adding a chicane of railway sleeper beds in place of the railing. Funding has been applied for (August 2018) from Greggs	• A circumference path, or at least improvements between Homesdale Road and Havelock Road (aka Marlborough Avenue) entrances where the London Clay substrate makes it boggy over winter.
	• Logs / Stumps / bumps to provide natural play features. Logs have successfully been added to Whitehall Rec.
• Replace cheap plywood on temporary notice boards. The Homesdale entrance is done, but the scorching faded and the lettering will be redone in a darker colour	• Picnic and sitting benches. Add a picnic bench, close to the dip, where parents could watch their children play (but not so close as to impede access). Add 2 or more little sitting benches on the south side.
• We like Stephen Lofting (Bromley Biodiversity Advisor) proposal of a bog garden in the waterlogged area just to the east of the container.	• Human Sundial to commemorate our brick making heritage and summer time introduction (with noticeboard)
• Audio Trail (with noticeboard) to inform users of the local heritage, using some of the excellent memories older residents have contributed.	• Smaller works: Bat Boxes, Bird Boxes, and climbing plants and bug hotel on side of the container • Add a [Local Park] road sign on Homesdale Road, as the park is not visible from any of the surrounding roads.
• Litter bins. Currently they are provided at the entrances and are inadequate and inconvenient. We want covered fox proof bins, reducing mess from animals and dumping of domestic waste.	• Native species hedge against the north chain-link fence, and meadow in front of this and in the triangle south of the Homesdale to Havelock road entrances.

Map of proposed improvements (work already carried out, is greyed out):

8.1 First cut at timescales for these proposals:

A plan of the timeline for the Friend’s proposals, and completing the work already started.
It is possible that a fitness equipment/trail could be added, as there appears to be funding for it under Healthy Lifestyles Schemes, and it might be able to include a perimeter path.
The container café idea is not included as there isn’t anyone with spare time to pursue the idea, it would require considerable effort to coordinate volunteers to man.
If either of these schemes materialise then the Friends will see if it’s possible amend the Management Plan.

Here’s the result of our SWOT analysis for the park:
(SWOT – below – SMART Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound)

Strengths

• Open space
• Trees planted around perimeter 2017
• The mown area provides a good place to relax and sit
• Park has popular events run by the Friends of Havelock Recreation ground
• Good transport links
• Hedge and meadow areas being developed have improved biodiversity

Weaknesses

• Inaccessible to the disabled or local infirm residents that need to access by car, as there is no non-zoned parking places.
• No toilet facilities
• No refreshment facilities
• Limited seating
• Problems with dog fouling
• Has been ASB in summer months
• Noticeboards are temporary and replacement needs work
• Some entrances are not welcoming

Opportunities

• Create stronger links with other community groups
• Container Café
• Develop and widen sports facilities in the park, eg Outdoor gym
• Develop a range of wild life Habitats
• More nature days
• Improve signage
• Develop links with Raglan School
• Plant more trees
• Plant more spring bulbs
• Establish wet/bog plant area

Threats

• Anti social behaviour
• Development (venerable as only non-ornamental park in ward)
• Underfunding/lack of investment
• Limited number of active residents from the community

8.3 Considerations arising from talking to Park users

Some differences of opinion that came to light from the surveying:
• Some remonstrations between parents and dog walkers, where children find dogs scary and dogs find children scary
• Disagreements as to whether a dog off the lead is allowed or under control
• Concern that a perimeter path might allow children with bikes and scooters to ‘push’ less able people off the path and frighten nervous dogs into running/barking.
Note: in this park, the received wisdom about having gates from resident’s gardens into the park, is the opposite of our findings: rubbish is tipped by (renting) people who have unkempt fences and rough vegetation areas behind their properties; whereas those with gates take a proprietary interest in the field and are more involved. None of them have dumped rubbish behind their gates.
On discussion, a few of the more elderly park users wanted some car parking that is not in the permit zone (because we are on the edge of a zone, and some people two roads away are in a different zone). They felt that by the time they’d walked from their house, they were too tired to then actually enjoy the park. One of these had conflict with the nursery manager on this issue. The nursery fenced off the park’s car park in 2002/4 without consultation or notice (the planning permission was entitled ‘Single Storey Extension’) to the residents (and contrary to their planning permission at LBB planning portal page)

Practical Management Plan for the Year

Paying attention to –
• Growing seasons
• Wildlife disruption

Key:
LBB – London Borough of Bromley
IDV – Idverde
FOHR – Friends of Havelock Recreation Ground

9. Site Management

Please see the idverde statement in appendix A6.
Other parks in the town ward have bi-monthly meetings with their park officer. This sounds like it would be a useful thing to have for our park too; perhaps every six months?

10. Sustainability

Please see the idverde statement on sustainability, in appendix A11

11. Document review and site / work review

The friends would welcome a regular meeting to inspect park, troubleshoot issues, and review the plan. Other ward parks meet with their park officer on a monthly basis, but as the Friends consists principally of volunteers who hold full time jobs (or are working around the needs of small children and/or school runs), it might be more practical to meet 3-monthly (if that is possible).
This document is expected to last for 10 years, but it is felt that it should be reviewed, updated, and amended every two years. This would then incorporate any changing situations.

A list of everything in the document

The Table of Contents in the document, which can be downloaded as .pdf here: Havelock Rec Management Plan v1 Nov2018 lowres

HAVELOCK RECREATION GROUND 1
1. The Park. 1
2. About This Plan 2
3. Demographics 3
4. History and Heritage 4
5. Social Links 5
6. Summary of improvements since 2015 5
7. Policy and Strategic Context 6
8. Plans to improve the park: 6
9. Site Management 12
10. Sustainability 12
11. Document review and site / work review 12
Appendices: 14
Appendix A1: Analysis of Survey Results: 15
The full text answers to “What would you particularly not want to see in the park?” 17
Appendix A2: Friends of Havelock Rec Vision Statement: 18
Appendix A3: Biodiversity Report from 2015: 19
Appendix A4: Analysis of 2011 census data from Streetcheck: 21
Appendix A5: Example of a joint monitoring inspection sheet. 25
Appendix A6. iDverde’s management procedures & plan: 25
Appendix A7 – Policy and Strategic Context 27 Promote Healthy Communities 27
Appendix A8.1 – Map of Local Park and the local Green Space Deficiency 30
Appendix A8.2 – Entry for Havelock Rec in the Draft Local Plan: 31
Appendix A9 – London Borough of Bromley Biodiversity and Arboriculture: 32
Appendix A10 – iDverde statement on park users and staff: 34
Appendix A11 – Idverde’s Sustainability policy 37
Appendix A12- Idverde’s Foreword & Introduction 37

Remembrance and the Neighbourhood in 1914/18 – Group 1 – Havelock Roads

Posted on November 22, 2018 by Kerry Hood

Men who died from the local roads in the 1st World War:

Bugs, birds, bats and beyond day for 2018… followed by a bat walk

Posted on July 13, 2018 by Kerry Hood

event held on Saturday 14th July 2-4pm.

We were joined by Friends of the Earth and Kent Bat Group. The bat group helped us conduct a survey of our park in the evening, and we recorded 3 different species of bats! 😁

A Roesels’ Bush Cricket – a species that’s expanding it’s range across the country.

Big Lunch 2018

Posted on May 24, 2018 by Rebecca Davis

The Big Lunch was held on Saturday 9th June, from 12-4pm.

The sun shone and we had a great day!

Ward Councillors hand in Deed of Dedication Application!

Posted on March 28, 2018 by Kerry Hood

Friends of Havelock Rec are proud to say that our Ward Councillors, (Nicky Dykes, Will Harmer and Michael Rutherford from Bromley Town ward Conservatives) have handed in, to the council Environment portfolio holder, an application for the park to have a Deed of Dedication.

Though the park is already designated Metropolitan Open Land, the friends feel that in the current housing crisis, this is insufficient protection. For instance, the CPRE list 10 sites (link to pdf here) with the same designation that are threatened. It should also be noted that it is perfectly permissible to build schools or other public buildings on Metropolitan Open Land – which is why the site was identified for a school when the Friends ran their campaign to save it.

It is considered best practice to protect council owned green space with Deeds of Dedication, and Fields In Trust provided the Friends with help to fill in our application form – Fields in Trust work to safeguard recreational spaces and campaign for better statutory protection for all kinds of outdoor sites (through Deeds of Dedication). Hammersmith & Fulham Council are protecting all the parks ‘for future generations’ in their borough with Deeds of Dedication (see announcement here).

Here is a photo of the proud moment:

Handing over our deed of dedication over : Will Harmer (ward councillor), Bob Neill (MP), Michael Rutherford (ward councillor), Kerry (Friends), Nicky Dykes (ward councillor)

It’s Snow Days in our Park!

Posted on March 18, 2018 by Kerry Hood

This is the weather where people will walk a long way for the nice safe slope in our park! Here’s some of our pics of this year’s snow days in our park!

And some more scenic pics:

Some nice pics of our park – can you send us some too?

Posted on March 18, 2018 by Kerry Hood

Here’s some nice pics around of our park, and we were wondering if you had some too? We (or our parent friends groups/forums) would then be able to use them for future posts on social media, if that’s ok. We think our park is ace and want to show off how great it is!

collage of photos of Havelock Rec

2018 Events

Posted on March 18, 2018 by Kerry Hood

Put these dates in your diaries!

14th April, 2-4pm – Easter Mini Olympics

9th June, 12-4pm – The *Big* Big Lunch!

14th July, 2-4pm – Bats, Birds, Butterflies and Beyond

5th August, 12-3pm – Summer Family Picnic

Havelock Recreation Ground designated Local Green Space

Posted on March 18, 2018 by Kerry Hood

In November 2016, alongside 20 parks in the Borough, we were designated the title of Local Green Space. A Local Green Space is a:

“green or open space which has been demonstrated to have special qualities and holds particular significance to the local community which it serves.

Development which causes harm to the ‘special qualities’ of a Local Green Space as defined within its Statement of Significance but is otherwise policy compliant will be considered inappropriate and will not be accepted except in very special circumstances.”

A lot of work and time went into the submission for this, so we are very proud to have achieved this status.

You can read the full documentation including the other parks that were granted this status, which is part of the Council’s Draft Local Plan, here.

2017 Events

Posted on December 5, 2016 by Rebecca Davis

Our events for 2017 will include our third Big Lunch in June, our third ‘Bug Day’ in July, a brand new summer picnic event in August and our second Havelock Hoedown. Now all we need is for the weather to be on our side in 2017 – we didn’t mind the rain really, but we have put in an early order for sunshine on these dates in 2017.

Our happy Hoedown in Rain and Shine!

Posted on October 2, 2016 by Kerry Hood

Happy Hoedown!

16sep12-hoedown-2

Our locals were not put off by the weather, we know how to have fun here, whether it rains or not!

Bug Hunting and Birdbox Painting

Posted on July 19, 2016 by Rebecca Davis

There was a great turnout for our Bug Hunting and Birdbox Painting day on a very warm but windy Saturday 9th July.Even the sun turned up for a while.

Thanks to everyone who came and participated! We sold out of birdboxes in record time and we now have 30 Havelock Hunters in our midst. Lots of people took part in the Scavenger Hunt, and there were some excellent drawings and crafts. Thanks to Sandy and Judy who helped us to identify lots of minibeasts and to Friends of the Earth who had a stall.

Big Lunch 2016

Posted on June 12, 2016 by Rebecca Davis

We braved the rain and had a great time, so thank you to everyone who came along! The cake stall was as amazing as ever and the crowning glory made by Michelle was, quite literally, a crown! Happy 90th birthday Your Majesty! We hope the winners of the Guess the Weight of the cake competition enjoyed it as much as we all enjoyed the rest of the cakes.

Our volunteers set up the stalls (in pouring rain!) and a lovely marquee (thanks to the Scouts) complete with beautiful table decorations.

And of course, everyone got stuck in to the Tug of War. We’re not sure who won…. but it was about the taking part.

Not forgetting the amazing game of pin the tail on Puddle the corgi – painting by Sandy.

What a great day, fun had by all who came. Thank you for helping us raise some much needed funds. See you at the next event in July.

Where are we?

Posted on May 23, 2016 by Rebecca Davis

As we’ve just sent out lots of leaflets about our forthcoming events, we thought that some people may be new to the area or not be quite sure where we are. Just for you, here’s the map of the area showing Havelock Rec. For more detail on Google Maps, click here.

The two main entrances are on Homesdale Road and off Havelock Road (actually Marlborough Road). The Homesdale Road entrance is a pedestrian entrance opposite the Eivissa beauty salon.

If you’re arriving by car, parking is available on the street but is restricted to residents only between the hours of 12-2 on Monday – Saturday. There is pay and display parking available on nearby Chatterton Road.

If you’ve never visited us before, now’s your chance! We hope to see you on June 12th at noon for our Big Lunch, if not before.

Make sure you receive our email newsletters

Posted on April 11, 2016 by Rebecca Davis

Town Green recommended to LBB Executive Committee

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Kerry Hood

Newsletter 03 – Happy New Year – From Your Friendly Local Park !

Posted on February 6, 2016 by Kerry Hood

It’s nearly a year since the fateful and desperate day when we formed our campaign to save our park, and this park friends group to run it. Thanks to all of you, we still have a park to use and for our children to play in. It also means that we are holding our AGM shortly: please join us for a drink and to talk about our park, at 8pm, at the Chatterton Arms on Wednesday 24^th February!
In this newsletter:

Future Events
Our Future work for our Park
What we did this year
Finally

Future Events

10:30am Saturday 12^th March – litter picking

12noon Sunday 12th June – OUR 2^ND ANNUAL BIG LUNCH

12noon Saturday 10th September – Havelock Hoedown

But more will be arranged – keep an eye on your email or the notice board!

We came and we planted!

Posted on January 28, 2016 by Kerry Hood

We are delighted to announce (for those of you who have not been on the brickfield recently) that we have finished planting both the Homesdale road entrance and the biodiversity hedge (along the chain link fence).

Thanks to everyone who made it happen! Personally speaking, when I first read that we should plant the hedge on Dr Judy’s biodiversity report, I never imagined that a year later we would have actually planted ourselves a hedge! I wasn’t sure we’d even have our recreation ground to put it on either!

Lots of thanks to Stephen Tickner at the landscape group, who enabled it to happen (and helped us muddle though learning how to be a friends group). The he ideas_for_park_hedge dge planting was done by a volunteer group that Stephen organised, called Pulse. They are committed to helping long term unemployed back into work.

Thanks also to Mandy, who had faith and organisation to bid for the whips from the Woodland Trust, and to Caroline who found the ones from OVO Energy’s I Dig Trees project.

Above, the drawing of what the hedge might look like in a couple of years time, from our page for your input into our action plan, and our little mascot William, supervising the work on the entrance!

Unfortunately, as the brick pit was filled with crushed and compacted rubble (and other stuff, see our history page) it is hard work to dig the holes to plant, and it is great that people put in the effort for the community – thanks again!

We have TREES and we’re going to plant !

Posted on October 14, 2015 by Kerry Hood

brickfield_rebeccas_planting_poster e

We’ve arranged two planting sessions to put in all the little trees we’ve been sent! The sessions are on Monday (14th) and Saturday (16th December), and they’re also on Facebook here and here)

It will be exciting to see our plans to add diversity to our park actually take shape, and for our collective effort to make a little change for generations to come.

Our packs include h 15dec05_7925_hedge_whips_etc olly, hawthorn, dog rose and hazel from the Woodland Trust, and Wayfaring tree, guelder rose, and dogwood (among others) from OVO energy. For the entrance on Homesdale Road, we’ve also got some ornamental dogwood.

The hedge is following expert recommendation, this hedge will enhance the biodiversity value of our park, not just with the little trees themselves, but by providing food and (when bigger) homes for our bats, bumble bees and birdlife. They will also give shelter for other plants brickfield_hedge_wildlife col and flowers that insects, like butterflies and grasshoppers, will love.

This is one of our projects to help us, as a community keep our park, as it provides a visible sign how much it is valued and used by the community. If you have any ideas you have for our park, please feel free to fill in the survey (http://friendsofhavelockrec.org/our-action-plan/)or just email us:

We are on Google street view!

Posted on October 12, 2015 by Kerry Hood

This summer, Google updated their street view of Homesdale Road, and our notice board now appears!

google homesdale rd entrance notice board aug15

What’s really good about this, is that it means, that any Whitehall official, Bromley planning officer or speculative developer can see that we care about our park and that it is loved. Also, the position of the parked car hides the broken railings, if not the somewhat drunken parking notice! Thanks also to people like Emma and Rebecca, (forgive me if I’ve missed anyone here) there are several notices on it, showing that we’ve been organising events and our park is not “under used” as was suggested when it was proposed as a site for building La Fontaine.

Our park is added to the List of Assets of Community Value !

Posted on June 11, 2015 by Kerry Hood

We are very proud to announce that Havelock Recreation ground has been added to the List of Assets of Community Value!

Only 15 places have been successfully registered in the London Borough of Bromley (see the photo of the other places) since the Localism Act came into effect in 2012.

The Localism Act required councils to keep a List of Assets of Community Value, and it also gave the Community Right to Bid; it means that when listed land is disposed of, the community has the right to a ‘moratorium period’ (seems to be six months) to decide if they want to bid for their asset. Importantly for us, it also demonstrates to government bodies and potential developers, the strength of local feeling about this park.

(a montage of photos from our recent Big Lunch event)

What the internet says about the Community Asset Register, the Community Right to Bid, under the Localism Act.:

Community Right to Bid and the Community Asset Register

As part of the Localism Act local authorities are required to maintain a list of assets of community value which have been nominated by the local community.

A building or land is an asset of community value if its main use is to further the social wellbeing or interests of a local community for example a local village shop, community centre or playing fields.

Community right to bid

The Community right to bid came into force in September 2012. The Community right-to-bid allows communities to nominate buildings and land that they consider to be of value to the community, to be included on a local authority maintained list. If any of the assets on the register are put up for sale, the community is given a window of opportunity to express an interest in purchasing the asset, and another window of opportunity to bid. from: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/5959/1896534.pdf

The Community Right to Bid allows communities and parish councils to nominate buildings or land for listing by the local authority as an asset of community value. An asset can be listed if its principal use furthers (or has recently furthered) their community’s social well-being or social interests (which include cultural, sporting or recreational interests) and is likely to do so in the future. When a listed asset comes to be sold, a moratorium on the sale (of up to six months) may be invoked, providing local community groups with a better chance to raise finance, develop a business and to make a bid to buy the asset on the open market. from: http://mycommunity.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/LOCALITY-BID_UNDERSTANDING.pdf

How the Community Right to Bid will work

The Legislation

How the Community Right to Bid works is set out in the Localism Act and Regulations: With the Community Right to Bid, Local Authorities must keep a ‘List of Assets of Community Value’; the legislation sets out in detail the process they must enter into and what information they must include. The legislation also outlines the definition of an asset of community value, what groups can legitimately nominate, the appeals process for land owners, timescales for groups interested in buying land or property on the list, and compensation available to the owners of land or property on the list.

What is an Asset of Community Value?

A building or other land is an asset of community value if its main use has recently been or is presently used to further the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community and could do so in the future. The Localism Act states that “social interests” include cultural, recreational and sporting interests. The regulations list a number of situations where land or buildings are exempted from inclusion on the list or operation of the moratorium. These include homes, hotels, assets being transferred between kindred businesses, and Church of England land holdings.

Who can nominate Assets of Community Value

A number of community organisations can nominate land and buildings for inclusion on the list: parish councils, neighbourhood forums (as defined in Neighbourhood Planning regulations), unconstituted community groups of at least 21 members, not-for-private-profit organisations (e.g. charities). Community organisations also have to have a local connection, which means their activities are wholly or partly concerned with the area, or with a neighbouring authority’s area.

Moratorium Periods

The Community Right to Bid does not give the right of first refusal to community organisations to buy an asset that they successfully nominate for inclusion on the local authority’s list. What it does do is give time for them to put together the funding necessary to bid to buy the asset on the open market. If an owner wants to sell property/land that is on the list, they must tell the local authority. If the nominating body is keen to develop a bid, they can then call for the local authority to trigger a moratorium period, during which time the owner cannot proceed to sell the asset. There are two moratorium periods. Both start from the date the owner of the asset tells the local authority of their intention to sell. The first is the interim moratorium period, which is 6 weeks, during which time a community organisation can decide if they want to be considered as a potential bidder. The other is a full moratorium period, which is six months, during which a community organisation can develop a proposal and raise the money required to bid to buy the asset. The regulations list some situations where the Moratorium will not be applied, even when it is an Asset of Community Value on the list. These exceptions include the sale of assets from one partner or another (for example in a divorce).

Funding

In August 2012, the government announced grant funding which community organisations can apply for in order to make use of the Community Right to Bid or Community Asset Transfer. The Social Investment Business is managing the £16 million grants programme ‘Community Ownership and Management of Assets’ on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

June 7th – Our Amazing Big Lunch on Havelock

Posted on May 6, 2015 by Kerry Hood

We had such a fantastic event!

Thanks to the many of you who came along and made it a wonderful day! And to Rebecca for all that organising, to Stephen Tickner for helping us set it up and just being there, to Michelle for all those diet-busting delicious cakes (myself, I had too many of those), Cassie for the Tombola, Emma and the local businesses for the Tombola prizes, 3rd Bromley scouts for their tents, tug-of-war rope and expertise, and everyone else who helped out, who are too many to list!

Saturday 2nd May – Litter picking and CAKE

Posted on April 27, 2015 by Emma

We had a litter picking session, with cake provided by Michelle, the fabulous cake cook!

There was lemon drizzle cake, and chocolate slice (both by Michelle) while Sandy send along some cookies. They were scrumptious! Of course, we did pick the litter too!

On the 28th March we made some temporary notice boards for our park:

As it was half term, some of the children did us some drawings to put on them (as well as the proper notices!).

From the NewsShopper – plans to build on Havelock Recreation Ground shelved

Posted on March 29, 2015 by Kerry Hood

Here’s the article that Hatty Collier wrote yesterday, about our park, in the News Shopper:

She said “Plans to build a primary school on a Bromley park have been shelved.

Havelock Recreation Ground on Havelock Road had been earmarked as the permanent site for La Fontaine Academy, which opened in temporary accommodation at Princes Plain, last September.

Residents, councillors and Bromley and Chislehurst MP Bob Neill have campaigned against the proposals.

Local Conservatives announce that our park is saved

Posted on March 29, 2015 by Kerry Hood

One of our ward councillors, Nicky Dykes, has posted about saving our park on the local conservative’s site, she tells us:

Bromley Councillors Stop Plans to Build on Havelock Rec

We are delighted to announce that our councillors tell us that they will not allow the Education Funding Agency (EFA) to build on our park:

Nicola Dykes, one of our Ward Councillors, wrote “Due to considerable opposition from Bromley Town Councillors, local MP Bob Neill and the local community, the Council has informed the Education Funding Authority (EFA) that they will not lease them the land to build the school. Instead they are working with them to find an alternative site for the school which they are confident they will be able to do.

Bulb Planting and Litter Picking

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Kerry Hood

Thanks to all those hardy souls who turned up to help us pick the litter and plant the last of our bulbs!

Tea, coffee and cake were served too, and we all worked hard to improve our park:

Here’s a group photo of some of us at towards the end of the morning:

15mar14 litterpicking party brickfield

Litter picking at the Bourne End side,and bulb planting at the Havelock side:

15mar14 di and felix litterpicking brickfield 15mar14 brickfield bulbplanting

Heart of Havelock

Posted on March 25, 2015 by admin

Many of the Friends of Havelock Rec met up on Valentine’s Day 2015 to make a heart in the rec.

Our park is the heart of our community, so we laid out a symbolic heart in the brickfield. We demonstrated how much, and how many of us care about our park. Despite the chilly weather, lots of people turned up to support the campaign.

Newsletter 02 – Keep Calm and Carry On Saving Havelock Rec‏

Posted on March 6, 2015 by Kerry Hood

Please write to the Scrutiny Committee today!

To Our Supporters,

As we have said before, Havelock Rec is NOT saved yet and we need to keep campaigning and writing; the Council have not thrown the application out, and La Fontaine and the Education Funding Authority still have our park as their ‘preferred option’.

We are very grateful for the local conservative party’s support, but they don’t actually make the decision. We want the option of building on Havelock Recreation ground to be dropped now, and not have to fight a planning application.

Newsletter 01 – Havelock Recreation Ground Not Saved… Yet

Posted on February 23, 2015 by Kerry Hood

Havelock Recreation Ground Not Saved…Yet!

The Council have not thrown the application out, and La Fontaine and the Education Funding Authority still have our park as their ‘preferred option’.

Local Conservative team join residents to protect Havelock Rec

Posted on February 16, 2015 by admin

Friends of Havelock Rec got some good news today. Here’s the post from http://www.bobneillmp.co.uk/

Monday, 16 February, 2015
Recent proposals to build a new bilingual primary school on a section of Havelock Recreation Ground, put forward by the Education Funding Agency (EFA), have, quite understandably, caused deep concern amongst residents in Holmesdale Road and the local area.

La Fontaine Academy, which opened last September under the Government’s Free School policy, is currently in temporary accommodation at the site of the former Princes Plain School. Although there is of course a need to find a permanent home for La Fontaine, I remain unconvinced that Havelock Rec offers a suitable alternative for anyone involved, including pupils, staff, or indeed local residents. At the end of the day, we have precious little green space in the Borough, and what we do have should, I believe, be protected wherever possible.

Times change ..

Posted on February 15, 2015 by admin

(A gem found by Felix)

First artists impression

Posted on February 12, 2015 by admin

An artist’s impression of what La Fontaine’s proposed school could look like, using the available details.

Please visit the home page..

Posted on February 10, 2015 by admin

Our home page is deliberately not the front page of the site and first thing you see. We want visitors to quickly see any updates we post here. If you’ve not had a read of it yet please click Home in the navigation menu or this link.

Window Poster for Supporters

Posted on February 10, 2015 by admin

What the rec looks like today

Posted on February 8, 2015 by admin

We’re working on a mock-up that will show what this view will look like with the proposed La Fontaine school.

To see this as a 360 panorama visit this link. If you view it on a modern smartphone or tablet it will turn as you turn the device using the compass and accelerometer. Be virtually there!

Remembrance and the Neighbourhood in 1914/18 – Group 4 – St Lukes Roads

Posted on March 1, 2019 by Kerry Hood

Men who died from the local roads in the 1st World War: (group 4 – St Luke’s roads)

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St Lukes Road Group – households bereaved

See also the interactive map done by A Street Near You, at: https://astreetnearyou.org/

The original data to produce these pages came from http://www.bromleywarmemorial.org.uk/

Bourne Road: (7)

households in the 1909 survey map.

21	Private Greenwood 72902 and Private Greenwood 9323	Frederick and George	17/08/1918 (age 21) and 25/04/1915 (age 28)	Royal Army Medical Corps (53rd Field Ambulance) and Royal Irish Fusiliers	21 Bourne Road, 2 brothers lost from 9 children of Charles & Ellen Greenwood, a Park fencer	21
32	Leading Seaman Anderson J918	William John	22/09/1914 (age 23)	Royal Navy (HMS Hogue)	32 Bourne Road, 6th of 11 children of George & Elizabeth Anderson (nee Watts), a Labourer in brickworks. On board HMS Hogue William was in charge of a group of six inch guns and was present at the Battle of Heligoland Bight. The Hogue was sunk by a U-boat on 22nd September 1914 along with her sister ships Aboukir and Cressy.
33	Sergeant Ashlee 9314	Thomas William	15/05/1915 (age 23)	South Staffordshire Regiment	33 Bourne Road, a Groom and gardener, married Jean Elizabeth Anderson, one of 5 children of Thomas Wiles & Mercy Emma Ashlee (nee Wood), a Farrier	32
4	Private Wyatt 33698	Henry Ernest Walter	01/12/1917 (age 21)	East Surrey Regiment	4 Bourne Road, one of 7 children of John Arthur & Ada Wyatt, a Upholsterer
42	Corporal Lane 1301	Ernest Walter	03/03/1917 (age 33)	Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment	42 Bourne Road, an Errand Boy and Labourer, married to Louisa Agnes Dunlop, father to Stanley, Gladys and Louisa, one of 8 living children of William John & Martha Jane H Lane, a Bricklayer	xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
6	Private Barker 18949	William Clifford	09/04/1917 (age 30)	Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment	6 Bourne Road, a domestic gardener, father to Claude, married to Emily Annie Milstead, one of 4 children of George W & Clara Barker, a Ostler, Gardener	6

Elliott Road: (4)

houses in the 1909 survey map.

Private Adams 49918	Edward Lewis	15/05/1918 (age 21)	North Staffordshire Regiment	6 Elliott Road, a Carpenter & joiner, conductor of St Lukes Mens Choir, married to Lilian Fostall, father of Eric and Kenneth, himself one of 2 children of Edward Whyte & Harriet Adams (nee Lettington)a Stonemason. He joined the Royal Engineers in June 1916 and went to France in September, 1917, being transferred to the North Staffordshire Regiment. He was admitted to hospital on 13th May, 1918 suffering from acute mustard gas poisoning and died 2 days later
Private Ryan 22234	Charles	17/09/1916 (age 25)	Grenadier Guards	17 Elliott Road, one of 5 children of Thomas & Susan Ryan, a Brickfields labourer.	17
Private Anderson G/41651	George	28/04/1917 (age 24)	Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)	28 Elliott Road, Laundryman, married Florence Darn, one of 7 children of John & Annie Elizabeth Anderson (nee McDowell), a General labourer/laundress	28
Sergeant Revens 13732	George Samuel	28/10/1915 (age 24)	Lincolnshire Regiment	36 Elliott Road, a Gardener’s assistant, one of 8 living children of George P & Louisa Revens, a Gardener.	SergeantGeorgeRevens

Our Privacy Statement

Posted on December 9, 2018 by Kerry Hood

We respect your data. If you add your email to our mailing list, then we will use it in Mailchimp and Excel worksheets. We will not share it except when the UK Law requires us to.

Our Mission Statement

Posted on December 9, 2018 by Kerry Hood

Friends of Havelock Recreation Ground – our Purpose and Objectives are:

Maintain the open vistas and big skies of the park
The park should be about freedom not restriction. Let the wide-open spaces be used by the community in ways that they desire.
Try and increase the natural diversity of the park, but not detracting from points 1 & 2
Make the park a more rewarding experience for our visitors
Work under the supervision of the council* to maintain the park in good order and to try and achieve the objectives highlighted in the previous points

Our Constitution

Posted on December 9, 2018 by Kerry Hood

Constitution of Friends of Havelock Recreation Ground

ARTICLE 1 : NAME AND LEGAL STATUS

The name of the organisation shall be The Friends of Havelock Recreation Ground

The legal status of the Group is an unincorporated “not for profit” organisation where its Committee

members are responsible for any contracts entered into.

The Group shall operate in the area known as Havelock Recreation Ground (the “Park”)

ARTICLE 2 : AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aims and objectives of the Group will be as follows:

To help with practical conservation through voluntary action for the benefit of wildlife and the community under the supervision of the London Borough of Bromley (LBB) and its professional officers.

To help to secure and promote the conservation and protection of the Park. To monitor its plants animals and wildlife habitats and maintain and improve its biodiversity.

To promote its use as a place for quiet, informal enjoyment, recreation and study.

To assist in providing an educational experience for the general public in the history, natural history and biodiversity of the Park.

With a view to maintaining a sound financial base and seeking other funding or donations to further activities which meet the above aims and objectives.

ARTICLE 3 : POWERS

To further these aims and objectives the committee shall have the power to:

Obtain, collect and receive money or funds by way of contributions, donations, grants and any other lawful method towards the aims of the Group.

Associate with LBB, voluntary organisations and those with an interest in the Park in a common effort to carry out the aims of the Group.

Permit the Committee to enter into contractual arrangements. To have its own bank account.

Do all such lawful things as will further the aims of the Group.

ARTICLE 4 : MEMBERSHIP

Membership will be open to anyone interested in promoting the aims of the Group. Applicants for membership shall normally become members upon submission of their application form or email address.

Membership will be for one year from the date of the annual meeting. There will be one level of membership known as ‘household’ and this will be free of any subscription. There will be no pre-set minimum amount for any voluntary donation.

Membership will entitle each individual in the household over the age of 16 the right to vote.

The continuation of free subscription levels shall be determined and/or varied by the Management Committee and confirmed annually.

At its discretion the Management Committee may refuse to admit an applicant or to terminate the membership of any member provided that they give written reasons to the member. This may arise as it becomes apparent that a household does not share the Group’s aims and objectives.

ARTICLE 5 : MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

A Management Committee elected annually at the Annual General Meeting shall manage the Group.

The committee shall consist of a minimum of 3 without a maximum number of individuals and shall include a chair, secretary and treasurer.

The committee may co-opt additional committee members during the year

All Committee members shall retire at each Annual General Meeting although may offer themselves for re-election.

The committee shall meet at least three times each year. Representatives of the London Borough of Bromley shall be invited to attend committee meetings in an advisory capacity.

The Chairman will have a second and casting vote.

Two committee members or one third of the committee being present (whichever is the higher) shall enable the business of the Group to be carried out.

A proper record of all transactions and meetings shall be kept.

All Committee members must be members of the Group.

ARTICLE 6 : FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS

Monies raised from voluntary donations, sale of goods, gifts, other sources or grants awarded to the Group shall be used for the express purposes of pursuing the aims and objectives of the Group.

The funds shall be paid into an account operated by the management committee. All cheques drawn on the account must be signed by at least two members of the Management Committee.

The Management Committee is empowered, to pursue or make applications for grants to secure funds to support the Group’s planned activities and may take whatever steps are necessary to meet the requirements of the awarding bodies.

No persons representing the Group shall make or enter into any agreement with any persons or organisation that may incur a financial liability save for those purposes as agreed by the Management Committee as necessary to carry out the objectives of the Group.

A current record of all income, funding and expenditure will be kept and presented to members annually at the AGM.

ARTICLE 7 : EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES STATEMENT

Any organisation is committed to equal opportunities and diversity. This commitment extends to our volunteers and we welcome everyone from our community as a volunteer.

We will not discriminate against our volunteers on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, disability or impairment, age, race, creed, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, trade union activity, HIV or marital status, religion or belief or similar bases.

Furthermore, we value difference, and recognise the value that the different backgrounds, skills, outlooks and experiences of our volunteers bring to the Group.

ARTICLE 8 : GENERAL MEETINGS

An Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall be held within 15 months of the date of the adoption of this constitution and each year thereafter.

Notice of the AGM shall be given at least 21 days before the meeting and a report on the Group’s financial position for the previous year will be made available at the same time.

The AGM agenda will include formal business as follows:

– Minutes of the previous AGM

– Chairman’s report

– Treasurer’s statement including, independently examined accounts (e.g. two ordinary members elected at the previous AGM)

– Election of Management Committee members for the following year. Nominations for Management Committee members shall be received by the Secretary before the published date of the AGM. Nominations shall be supported by two members and signed by the nominee indicating willingness to serve.

Review of this constitution, as necessary

The activities of the Group shall be approved at the AGM.

Decisions needing a vote shall be decided by a simple majority of those members present, the Chairman having a second and casting vote.

Voting rights shall be restricted to members of the Group over the age of 16 years and each member shall have one vote.

An Extra-ordinary General Meeting (EGM) may be called at any time at the request of the committee. A notice explaining the place, date, time and reason shall be sent to all members at least three weeks beforehand.

A minimum of two committee members plus one tenth of the membership being present shall enable a General Meeting to take place.

Open General Meetings (i.e. meetings which may include members of the general public and not necessarily sole members of the Group) should be held every three to four months. These would include a general discussion on progress of the Group and how well it is meeting its aims and objectives.

ARTICLE 9 : AMENDMENTS

Amendments to the constitution can only be made at the AGM or EGM. Proposed amendments must be circulated at least 21 days before the Meeting at which they are to be considered, and must be approved by a majority of those members present.

ARTICLE 10 : DISSOLUTION

The Group may be dissolved by a resolution passed by a simple two-thirds majority of those present and voting at an Extra-ordinary General Meeting.

After the payment of all bills and other liabilities and the fulfilment of any requirements of any external bodies e.g. grant providers, the committee shall distribute any assets remaining to other group(s) or organisation(s) having aims similar to the Group or some other charitable purpose(s) as the Group may decide.

Under no circumstance should any assets of the Group be paid or shared out amongst members of the Group.

LBB and any body external funding organisation must be provided with accounts and other documentation as they require.

Our Vision

Posted on December 9, 2018 by Kerry Hood

Friends of Havelock Recreation Ground

OUR VISION

1. Maintain the open vistas and big skies of the park

2. The park should be about freedom not restriction. Let the wide open spaces be used by the community in ways that they desire.

3. Try and increase the natural diversity of the park, but not detracting from points 1 & 2

4. Make the park a more rewarding experience for our visitors

5. Work under the supervision of the council* to maintain the park in good order and to try and achieve the objectives highlighted in the previous points

*the professional officers of the London Borough of Bromley (LBB)

Havelock Big Lunch celebrates VE Day 75

First Draft of the Havelock Rec Management Plan (extracts from)

About This Plan

8.1 First cut at timescales for these proposals:

8.3 Considerations arising from talking to Park users

Practical Management Plan for the Year

9. Site Management

10. Sustainability

11. Document review and site / work review

A list of everything in the document

Happy Hoedown!

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Community Right to Bid and the Community Asset Register

Community right to bid

How the Community Right to Bid will work

What is an Asset of Community Value?

Who can nominate Assets of Community Value

Moratorium Periods

Funding

Please write to the Scrutiny Committee today!

As we have said before, Havelock Rec is NOT saved yet and we need to keep campaigning and writing; the Council have not thrown the application out, and La Fontaine and the Education Funding Authority still have our park as their ‘preferred option’.

Havelock Recreation Ground Not Saved…Yet!

The Council have not thrown the application out, and La Fontaine and the Education Funding Authority still have our park as their ‘preferred option’.

St Lukes Road Group – households bereaved

Bourne Road: (7)

Elliott Road: (4)

OUR VISION