Enfield Council have appointed a community engagement officer for the first phase of the project to memorialise Broomfield House and restore some of Broomfield Park's historic features.
John Cole has been appointed to lead on community engagement activities forming part of the development phase of the “Unlocking Broomfield Park for the Community” heritage project.
He will work with existing organisations already actively involved in the area, leading on the public-facing activities that will promote this phase of the project to Enfield residents and the widest possible audience, who visit and enjoy Broomfield Park.
John will coordinate and deliver a range of community activities in 2025 including an archaeological dig, a community art project to be displayed on the hoardings surrounding Broomfield House and deliver several well-being events.
The plan is to build connections with pre-existing and new stakeholders from education, leisure, and cultural partners, as well as civic and heritage groups and identify potential collaborators for delivering and supporting these and future activities.
John’s role is funded by Heritage Lottery for 15 months.
These activities will help to raise awareness of the wider project that will, subject to further Heritage Lottery funding, dismantle and memorialise Broomfield House within the landscape and improve the immediate area around the House. This will be achieved with interpretation and outreach to different audiences to further engage with the project and the heritage. Further consultations on memorialising the House and enhancing the park will be outlined next year.
John, in his spare time, is a trustee of the Enfield Society and active in local community project including Gordon Hill and Enfield Chase stations. He was a community representative for delivering the Palace Gardens mural in Enfield Town. He is also active on the Enfield Chase Woodland Creation Project and co-created the New River Loop information panels with Enfield Council and the Enfield Society.
If you spot John in the park - do say hello!