The Friends of Broomfield Park go from strength to strength with a wide range of projects aimed at both beautifying the park and helping improve local people's lives.
As 2023 draws to a close, the Friends of Broomfield Park have been looking back on their many achievements over the year. In addition to watching the short video above, you can read about them in the report that was presented to the Friends' annual general meeting by their two co-chairs, Kim Lumley and David March and in the news section of their website.
As you read, you'll find that restoration (carried out in conjunction with Enfield Council) is something of a theme running through many of the Friends' activities this year, notably of the Conservatory and the boating pond, but also of flower beds throughout the park and of water quality in the lakes. However, restoration is not on the agenda for the remains of Broomfield House. As I write we're awaiting the outcome of a bid for lottery funding to enable the council to dismantle the ruins and "memorialise" the mansion that was once at the heart of Broomfield Park.
Below, some comments about a selection of the Friends's activities, starting with Broomfield Conservatory. It was volunteering in the Conservatory that led to me running this website (it's a long story!)
Conserving the Conservatory
Tucked away behind a wall and hidden by trees - easily missed if you're looking in the wrong direction - is one of our local park's glories - Broomfield Conservatory. Built in 1934, but looking more Edwardian than inter-war, over the past dozen years it's been transformed into our own miniature version of Kew Gardens, thanks to the hard work put in by a team of volunteers, who've been busy buying plants and looking after them, using funds donated by visitorsvisits and raised through plant sales.
However, time catches up with all of us, and the same is especially true of conservatories that are largely built of wood and perhaps would have benefited from being repainted a bit more often. As a consequence, Broomfield Conservatory has been closed for repairs and restoration since October. Work was a bit slow starting, but carpenters are now replacing rotted panels on the lantern with factory made facsimiles in hardwood to cut down future maintenance. Repainting will start next month and the building should re-open in late February or thereabouts, in time for another year of twice-weekly openings and a new season of special events, such as musical afternoons, crafting for kids and plant sales.
Read more: Mini-Kew in Broomfield Park
"Planting seeds for the future"
The heading on the FoBP website page that updates us on their educational programme says it all - it's more important than ever for coming generations to appreciate the importance of the natural world, or there won't be a future for them. During well designed and prepared visits by schools to the park, the Friends are instilling knowledge and a love for nature in their young visitors, who find out about the essential role of bees and other insects in pollinating edible plants, discover biodiversity in the wetlands and can observe flora and fauna in the wildlife pond.
Read more: Another great year for school visits to Broomfield Park
The boating pond: full steam ahead?
It hasn't all been plain sailing with the boating pond, and at times work has been becalmed, like the model of HMS Norfolk above (photo by Clive Smith), and progress with making the pond watertight and restoring the water supply from the well has been fitful. The pond was temporarily filled for the Palmers Green Festival in September from the mains and the water that's currently in the pond is presumably rainwater, but the difficult (and expensive) task of renewing the water supply is now under way and should be completed soon.
Read more: Boating pond update...
Helping people with problems
Probably a less well known aspect of the activities of the Friends of Broomfield Park is the work that they do to help people with mental health problems or special educational needs.
The FoBP community mental healthgGroup meet in the former bowls clubhouse every week and have become involved in various projects around the park, including gardening activities and their inspiring art sessions. They were involved in the creation of the murals on the former changing rooms and the mosaics workshops funded by the Palmers Greenery community café .
In addition, work experience for young people with special educational needs is provided by the Palmers Greenery - during term time students from West Leigh school open up the community café once a week.
Read more: FoBP community mental health group
A cafe with a conscience!
Ahead of its tenth anniversary, the team behind the Palmers Greenery Community Café this year surveyed "key stakeholders", including customers, volunteers, partners, park stakeholders and local businesses, to gather feedback to show how well the café was succeeding in meeting its five "key social impact goals". The associated report on the café's social impact shows how valuable an asset the Palmers Greenery is to both the park and the wider community.
Read more: The Palmers Greenery Community Café - much more than just coffee and cakes!
What else have the Friends of Broomfield Park been up to this year?
Co-Chairs' report to the 2023 FoBP annual general meeting
Improving the health of the lakes, ponds and wetlands
