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firs farm wetlands sceneFirs Farm: Not long ago this was just a muddy fieldA project to provide play equipment in Firs Farm Park is one of three ideas that are competing to obtain funds from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative.

Tesco teamed up with Groundwork to launch its community funding scheme, which sees grants of £4,000, £2,000 and £1,000 – all raised from the 5p bag levy – being awarded to local community projects.

Three groups in every Tesco region have been shortlisted to receive the cash award and shoppers are being invited to head along to Tesco stores to vote for who they think should take away the top grant.

Toni Guiver of Friends of Firs Farm explains what the project is about

guiver walk signpostRewilding Enfield's Urban Waters: A signpost along the Guiver Walk, connecting three urban wetlandsFirs Farm "Outdoor Table Tennis"

New footpaths created through Firs Farm over the last two years have made it easier for people from four surrounding communities (Edmonton, Palmers Green, Bush Hill Park and Winchmore Hill) to access the beautiful wetlands which were created in as part of a flood alleviation scheme, to enhance and increase biodiversity, wildlife and community health benefits.

Firs Farm now provides easy passage between home and school for many local children and parents. What once was a muddy field, used mainly by dog walkers and footballers, is now a fantastic nature area full of wildlife and used by all in the community.

But....

There are no play facilities at present in Firs Farm.

Children of all ages from the local community (including the ten or so secondary / primary schools within easy each of Firs Farm and local residents) who now frequent the park have asked for facilities including outdoor table tennis.

The changes and improvements have brought more people to Firs Farm and we want to address the gap in the lack of play facilities for children by starting with procuring some outdoor table tennis to encourage youngsters to play in Firs Farm, which in turn will benefit their health and wellbeing through playing an activity outdoors in their local green space.

Volunteers can encourage use of the table tennis in the park by hosting events using the table tennis tables and volunteers can also take part in a challenging game or two following their hard work in the wetlands and the park - providing they are available as we envisage them being very popular.

What happens next?

Our project along with the other two successful projects in our region will go forward to a vote in Tesco stores where their customers will decide the outcome by voting for their favourite project each time they shop. Voting will take during May and June they  will notify us by the end of July 2017 confirming the amount of funding we will receive. The project with the highest number of votes across your region will receive up to £4,000, the second placed project up to £2,000 and the third placed project £1,000.

We are up against some stiff competition and therefore we are appealing to you to aid us in getting this first bit of "Play Equipment for our older children" in Firs Farm Wetlands Park & Playing Fields. Everyone will be able to play on these but our initial aim was for something for the older children.
A suitable site will be chosen for these, away from the wetlands area, and agreed with the council to avoid disturbing the wildlife but easy to get to.

With your help we can achieve this and we can hold some fun table tennis competitions to help raise funds for other items in Firs Farm including our Festival next year July 2018 and for other fun stuff in Firs Farm.

Only YOU can make this happen in your Firs Farm

To Vote, you will need to pop into a Tesco store near you and once you have made your purchase (of any value) you will receive one token per transaction:-
Please see below a list of stores taking part in the voting and please feel free to share this with Friends family and neighbours to gain their support for Table tennis in Firs Farm.

Show how much you   "L♥VE YOUR GREEN SPACE?" and get voting .... from 1st May 2017 to 31st June 2017.

Participating Tesco Stores in May & June 2017...

BULLSMRE LN WAL X EXP   EN3 6TF
CHASESIDE STHGATE EXP   N14 5PH
EDMONTON EXP    N18 2XF
ENFIELD EXPRESS EN3 5UT
ENFIELD LOCK EXPRESS    EN3 6GS
ENFIELD SOUTHBURY RD    EN1 1RT
LEA VALLEY EXTRA        N18 3HF
OAKWOOD EXPRESS N14 4XA
PONDERS END EXTRA       EN3 4DP
WINCHMORE HILL EXPRES   N21 2SA
WINDMILL HILL ENF EXP   EN2 7AE

lost rivers flow beneath your feetLost rivers flow beneath your feet...

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