The Palmers Greenery Community Café in Broomfield Park will be celebrating its tenth anniversary in early June with a series of free events: a Wellbeing Wander, a dog show and a Community Fun Day - something for everyone! But the Palmers Greenery is much more than just - to coin a phrase - an "ace café".
The PGC newsletter will be taking a short break between now and the Palmers Greenery's anniversary, so I'm taking this last chance to publicise the events (see the list further down the page) and say a little about this quite remarkable project.
So what's remarkable about a café in a park? There are hundreds of them across the country. But most parks don't have a community café. And it's the idea of creating "somewhere for community-minded people to coalesce around" that gave Sarah Cotton the idea of converting a nondescript disused toilet block near the tennis courts into what it has now become: not just a place to buy coffee and cake (however excellent they both are), but a true community hub whose benefits radiate out throughout the whole of the park.
Sarah Cotton on ten years of the Palmers Greenery
"Reaching this milestone was never guaranteed, but it just goes to show that doing things a bit differently can pay off, and as a result we have a much loved hub in the heart of the park.
"Our volunteer team and loyal customers are its beating heart and we look forward to celebrating all our achievements in our first 10 years."
From the outset the Palmers Greenery has been based around the principles of volunteer operation and environmental sustainability. Sarah sees it as a "vehicle for opportunity" - for instance, giving volunteers a way of working for their community and learning new skills. Those benefiting include Year 11 and 12 students from Enfield's SEN school, West Lea, who gain life skills operating the café once a week.
The latest project aimed at improving wellbeing is Make Space for Girls Broomfield Park, working with a national campaign aimed at making public spaces such as parks somewhere where teenage girls are happy just to "hang out" in. We can expect some positive outcomes from the weekly workshops that are currently in progress.
What do I mean by "benefits that radiate out throughout the whole of the park"? Well, there's scarcely a square foot of Broomfield Park that these days doesn't bear witness to the hard work of those busy bees, the Friends of Broomfield Park. As well as lots of elbow grease and volunteer power, many of those projects require money, and one of the things that the Palmers Greenery does is distribute its surplus takings to other projects in the park.
The Palmers Greenery's key social impact goals
To enhance Broomfield Park and complement existing park initiatives
By providing a vibrant, safe and welcoming gathering place for residents and visitors.- To reduce loneliness and social isolation
By providing a welcoming physical and virtual space where individuals can come together.
- To broaden volunteering, skill development and work experience
By empowering individuals through offering valuable experiences and the chance to develop new skills.
- To support local business and enterprise
By collaborating with local producers, suppliers and businesses wherever possible in sourcing our supplies and promoting their products.
- To champion environmental sustainability
By minimising our ecological footprint in the park.
I've only mentioned a few of the benefits that the Palmers Greenery brings to the park and to the wider community. To find out much more, download the Palmers Greenery Community Café Social Impact Report 2023. And for some personal benefits, drop by for a coffee and cake, go for a Wellbeing Wander and enjoy the Community Fun Day on Sunday 9th June.
Celebratory events
Wednesday 5 June 11.00am - 12.00pm
Wellbeing Wander
Meet at the Palmers Greenery Community Cafe for a gentle, sociable and mindful stroll around our beautiful Broomfield Park.
Led by our partners Age UK Enfield and Earthaconter, this special anniversary walk will take time to visit June’s nature highlights and admire the work of the Friends of Broomfield Park Horticultural volunteers.
Everyone is welcome and invited to join us for tea and cake after.
Saturday 8 June 2pm - 3pm
Dog Show
- Waggiest Tail?
- Prettiest Girl?
- Handsomest Boy?
- Cleverest Trick?
- Best Couple?
Our four-legged friends (and loyal humans) always make us smile. What better way to celebrate than with a special event just for them?
Sign up for one (or more!) of five fun categories in our family-friendly Dog Show with prizes for all.
More details and sign up here
Sunday 9th June 11am - 5pm
Community Fun Day
Ending the Palmers Greenery Community Cafe's anniversary week with a Fun Day for the whole community
Free events all day, including: Teddy Bears Picnic Theatre, Face Painting, Gingerbread Decorating, Book Swap, Games and Live Music featuring amazing local musicians and bands, there’s fun for everyone. Bring a rug to picnic with your friends and family and celebrate with our volunteer team.
Community Fun Day Schedule
(Check for updates on the Friends of Broomfield Park website)
| 11am - 12pm & 2pm - 3pm |
Rah Rah Theatre’s Teddy Bears Picnic
Aimed at 2-6 year olds this fun show incorporates puppets, well-known songs and dancing!
Book your free tickets here
|
| Live music |
| 12pm |
Luna Mancaster
Luna is a singer and guitarist (and the Cafe’s accountant!) performing rock and acoustic covers from the last 5 decades
|
| 12.45pm |
Lost Chimes
@lostchimes are Gemma and Nicky Kirk - blending traditional folk with a contemporary dream pop twist. 2020 saw the release of their debut single
|
| 1.30pm |
BlackDogHat
@BlackDogHat are an acoustic band who create and perform original songs about love and life, with melodies that will stick in your head. Their music style ranges from folk to funk
|
| 3.00pm |
Hannah Lauras
@hannahlaurasmusic is a singer-songwriter and pianist performing a selection of her own ‘quirky pop’ original songs
|
| 3.45pm |
Dalligan
A duo playing Irish, Scottish and Country/Folk music. They play fiddles, guitars, bouzouki, mandolins and bodhrans… but not all at the same time!
|
| 4.30pm |
That Blue Patch
@thatbluepatch1 are a multi-instrumental duo playing songs - mostly Americana, Roots and Blues - from the last 100 years to the present in their own quirky way
|
| 4.00pm |
Family Games
with James Mott Tennis Coaching and crew
|
| 12pm to 4pm |
Face-painting, gingerbread decorating and book swap |
