Conservation Action Plan for Lordship Rec, 2022-2027

Over the last year the Friends have been working with The Conservation Volunteers and the Council’s Nature Conservation Officer, supported by the Parks Service, to produce a new 5-year Conservation Action Plan. The idea is to manage and improve biodiversity – and public appreciation of this biodiversity – throughout the Rec. Its based mainly on the work of the Friends and our various working groups over the last 15 years. See link below!

LRUF Lordship Rec CAP 2022 – 2027

Lake Group Meeting

Friend’s Lake Group Meeting

2pm Wednesday 21st September in the Hub

Meeting for all those interested in the Friends project to improve the lake. We have obtained a grant to add more vegetation in the lake and more floating islands as well as other repairs and a new information board.

All welcome

Update 30th May

What a fantastic community ‘River Fest’ festival in the Rec on Sunday 29th May: Over 2,000 attended! Organised by Tottenham Ploughmans and the Lordship Hub.
 
And next Sunday 5th June is a Jazz Fest at the Shell Theatre (from 2pm) and in the Hub (from 5.30pm). Lots more events planned during the summer eg Health and Lifestyle Market Sat 12th June (12-5pm) / Ladies Night Sat 19th June (7-10pm) / Go Wild Sun 3rd July (12-5pm) / Youth Fest Sat 9th July (1-5pm)… A big thank you to the dozens of local people who are helping organise all these events. More people and help always appreciated of course.
 
Meanwhile the Outdoor Gym by the Hub is now completed and already hugely popular, and the kids paddling pool is now open.
 
The Lordship Lake Group are also currently planning improvements to the lake area (a new interpretation board, extra aquatic banks, some picnic tables by the hub etc).
 
Rockstone are now running their bike hub/shop every day at the front entrance to the park, with many people coming for advice and to get their bikes repaired.
 
Another bit of good news is that some long-needed maintenance and repair works are being done by the Council over the coming weeks and months.
 
Meanwhile the Lordship Hub has launched an online crowdfunding drive so a roof can be built above the terraces to protect cafe users etc from the rain – already over £1,000 has been pledged. All contributions large or small are very welcome. For more info click here: www.spacehive.com/lordshiphub  The Hub’s cafe staff and volunteers have this week introduced a new, ‘fast-track’ summer menu for everyone to try out and enjoy. And don’t forget there are rooms to hire there – the first ever wedding reception was a big success last Saturday!
 
Phew!
 
All this and more is the result of the efforts of the members of the Friends and the other park user groups – all working together to build up community spirit, community initiative and community empowerment. All the groups would like more people to get involved so that all this good stuff (and more) can continue and the work is shared among more people – we could do with twice as many! Don’t worry if you’re not sure what you might be able to do in terms of time and skills – any contribution is welcome.
So why not come along to the Friends meeting this Sunday 5th June, 2pm at the Hub, to hear all the news, have your say, and consider if you’d like to get involved in some way in one or more of the activities.

Hub Roof appeal passes 1000 point

Please pledge generously to the Hub’s Spacehive crowdfunding campaign, to enable a much needed roof to be put on all the outside terraces of the building to extend its usefulness to park users.

26 people have so far pledged over 1000 but we need nearly 14000 by August 1st. Together we can do it!

Pledge to: www.spacehive.com/lordshiphub

Do it today! Or if you dont want to donate through the internet hand a donation direct to Hub staff and it will then be pledged to Spacehive.

Thanks

Lordship Rec Management Plan 2015-2025

www.haringey.gov.uk/sites/haringeygovuk/files/lordship_rec_2015_-_final.pdf

This very important document is the updated Plan for Lordship Rec, applying for the next 10 years, written collaboratively and agreed by the park’s user groups and by the Council. It explains all the features in the park, how they are to be maintained, and how they are being managed in partnership between the the various park community groups and the Council, coordinated overall through the Lordship Rec Users Forum. The range of user groups and their activities is also detailed, as are the current list of further improvements sought. There are some very useful appendices with further details.

Outdoor Gym for Lordship Rec!

We have the fantastic news that, with the help of Haringey Council, the Outdoor Gym Group has successfully secured £100,000 for Lordship Rec’s very own Outdoor Gym. The money is from a funding application to Sport England for £70k, with matched funding from Haringey Council for £30k.

We are hoping this will get us 20 pieces of Exercise equipment including 3 pieces of Gymnastic equipment, 6 pieces of weighted equipment along with 2 outdoor table tennis tables.

Works in the field just to the north east of the Hub have now started and if the weather is on our side we should have our new facility by May

Thank you to everyone that supported the idea and to all those who gave their time to collect information, consultation data and helped to compile it into a winning funding application.

Thanks from Lordship Outdoor Gym Group

Marathon Fun Day In The Rec

Marathon Fun Day in Lordship Rec – Sunday April 26th, 9am-5pm

The Friends and other park user groups are planning a special Marathon Day to include publicity for the park’s potential for physical exercise.
– The Hub cafe will be promoting healthy eating and broadcasting the Marathon all day live from 9am, including the mass start at 10am.
– All welcome to join in the Walk Or Run: Its Fun! – Your Pace No Race… around the park starting at 11am at the Hub. Please register from 10.30am.
– And there will be fun and games (tug-of-war etc), 12-1pm.
– The Broadwater Farm Community Centre Gym will be open for free sessions – come and have a trial! 11am-3pm.

– Green Gym taster session at the Harmony Gardens, 2pm-2.30pm
– The Hub will host Feeling Good In The Rec, 1pm-5pm, healing therapies and fitness tasters.*

12-5pm   BMX/Skate Jam in the skatepark, 12-5pm with competitions, music and food.

* Children must be accompanied by a parent/carer in the above organised events

Help raise funds for further improvements to Lordship Rec!
Please donate here at the button on the right hand side of this page…

Lordship Rec, Tottenham’s largest public park, has recently undergone a successful regeneration which has transformed a previously neglected and run-down green space into an attractive, well-used and vibrant park. The Friends of Lordship Rec, in partnership with Haringey Council’s Parks Service, have led this regeneration effort. However, there are a range of further improvements needed to complete the regeneration plans. 100% of the money raised by donations between now and April 30 will go towards some of the additional improvements needed, including: a drinking fountain, seating, wildlife habitats, equipment for volunteers, and signage.

How you can donate
– The Friends have set up a special DONATE button on their website’s home page. www.lordshiprec.org.uk
– Cheques [made out to ‘Friends of Lordship (Marathon)’] can be posted to the Friends of Lordship Rec.

Being active in the Rec

We are also using the opportunity to promote Lordship Rec, its attractive walking/jogging routes and the newly-installed distance markers on those routes. Why not come and try the routes for yourself! You can also join in the weekly walks organised by the Lordship Rec Walking Group every Monday morning, meeting up at 9.20am at the Downhills Park Road entrance. Or join in the monthly ‘Your Pace, No Race’ sessions on the first Sunday of each month – meet 11am outside the Hub cafe by the lake in the park. And there are the cycling groups, the Brakethru Club, football teams and others promoting physical activity – including a plan for outdoor gym equipment near the Hub..

 

Organised by Friends of Lordship Rec, Women’s Assoc of Lordship Rec, Lordship Walking Group, Your Pace No Race, Hub Co-op

Friends slam threat to Lordship Rec

The demolition and ‘redevelopment’ of Broadwater Farm and building of homes on Lordship Rec: Barmy? Or a real threat?

According to council documents – http://www.haringey.gov.uk/sites/haringeygovuk/files/site_allocation_developement_web_0.pdf (Site 63, page 162), it appears that the council are considering promoting the demolition and ‘redevelopment’ of some or all of Broadwater Farm. The plans, confirmed by senior Council officers [see below], suggest that they intend for new housing to be built on a large chunk of the north end of Lordship Recreation Ground, including half of the main field and the whole sports field, to rehouse those displaced by potential demolitions at Broadwater Farm. The potential redevelopment zone is indicated by a red line on a map, and also includes Somerset Close, Lido Square, homes along the south side of Lordship Lane, and all the community facilities within the zone. Such a zone would mean increased powers for property developers in that zone, backed by Council encouragement and support.

This incredible, barmy and totally unnecessary attack on local communities would cause massive stress to all concerned, displacement and disruption for years, and undermine all the successful efforts over decades to build a strong and stable local community and to improve local facilities. Our communities have worked long and hard to make Broadwater Farm one of the most attractive estates in the UK, and to make Lordship Rec the great park it now is.

The threat to Lordship Rec would bring the Council into direct conflict with the Lordship Rec park users’ organisations, and all the funding bodies (Lottery, GLA and the Environment Agency) who have supported the successful and nationally-celebrated community-led regeneration of Tottenham’s largest public park. Incidentally, in case the Council have forgotten, the park is safeguarded and protected for all time by a ‘Fields In Trust’ covenant preventing any part of it being developed or sold off.

The ‘barmy’ proposals confirmed

We couldn’t believe the proposals when we first heard about them. However, Steve Kelly from the Council’s Planning Department spoke at the Tangmere Steering Committee on Broadwater Farm recently and when challenged admitted that the land on Lordship Recreation Ground would be needed for housing for people displaced by any demolitions on Broadwater Farm.  Matthew Patterson, the Council’s Interim Head of Policy, Strategic Transport and Infrastructure, also confirmed to a rep from the Friends of Lordship Rec that the inclusion of the northern part of Lordship Rec in the development zone is for the power to build housing to ‘decant’ the residents of Broadwater Farm (or many of them) into that area of the park ‘otherwise the demolitions on the estate could not go ahead’ due to the impracticalities of re-homing those affected during the demolition and redevelopment works.

Object now

The deadline for registering objections to this outrageous and unacceptable threat to the estate and park is March 27th. It comes under the consultation for ‘Haringey’s Local Plan 2011-2026’, the most important planning document in the borough. This is a formal objection process, and the Local Plan documents have to be submitted to a Planning Inspector at a public enquiry before they can be approved. Those objecting will be able to put their case to the Inspector.

This proposed mass disruption and destruction must be opposed.

To object, email: ldf@haringey.gov.uk

Joan Curtis and Dave Morris
– Secretary and Chair, Friends of Lordship Rec

Latest news!



Public Consultation about the new…

Eco-Hub building and Cafe

SUNDAY 3rd NOVEMBER

Between 12-3pm @ the Hub
Refreshments available in the cafe area

WHAT SHOULD OUR LOVELY NEW BUILDING OFFER PARK USERS?
COME AND HAVE YOUR SAY!

Fill in our questionnaire:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1I_WbPO_KkfAHrltZmnN6CkMEjgsSZKyaXsc5KqItzyU/viewform

What would you like from the cafe?

What other activities would you like to see in the building?

Lordship Rec Eco-Hub News – October/November 2013

As part of the community-led regeneration of our park, the Eco-Hub has been built for the benefit of the park’s many user groups, and for park users generally.

The community was involved in the design and even helping with the construction. The building has recently won 2 design awards for its community facilities environmentally-friendly design.

There have been some ‘teething problems’

with the works on the building. When the Eco-Hub fully opens it will include a classroom, community room, community office, cafe and toilets.

At the moment it is partly open

The Friends (local park users) are running the Community Room at the back of the building for meetings etc, and the Parent & Toddler Group has open sessions there every Tues/Thurs 11am-2pm. Park user groups have also organised some great events using the whole place. The Friends have set up a special Hub Cooperative and are applying to manage the whole building. Please fill in our Questionnaire!

On Sundays 12-2pm the Community Room is open – please look in!

–       read the info on display and pick up some flyers

–       get information about the range of activities being organised in the Eco-Hub and in the park

–       hang around for a chat

–       children can use the kids toilet

–       have a drink (donations welcome)

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Saturday September 14th, 12-5pm

Lordship Rec – 3 great community events!

Lordship Rec Green Fair and Tottenham Flower & Produce Show

Promoting healthy living and eating, and environmental awareness

1pm – 4.30pm

At the Harmony Gardens, Lordship Rec, Broadwater Farm Community Centre, 1 Adams Rd, Tottenham N17 6HE.

– Annual Competition and Show: Vegetables, Flowers, Fruit, Cakes, Home Produce, Handicrafts and Kids Crafts.

Exhibits/entries for the show accepted from 8.30am to 11.30am. Public display from 1pm. Awards ceremony 3.30pm.

– Green Fair: Stalls and activities

Organised by Back 2 Earth: info@back2earth.org.uk Supported by Friends of Lordship Rec and Sustainable Haringey

Feeling Good in the Rec

Promoting health and well-being

12 – 5pm

In the Eco-Hub (by the lake) and in the Broadwater Farm Community Centre

– Sports Taster Sessions, Healing Therapies, Beauty Treatments, Workshops, Board Games, Community Stalls

Organised by the Women’s Association of Lordship Rec

Lordship Rec Dog Show

12 – 4pm

In Lordship Rec main field

– Tottenham’s Got Talent fun dog show, Free microchipping and tag engraving, Dog Agility course, Veterinary advice

Organised by Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, supported by Lordship Rec Dog Club and Wood Green Animal Shelter

Residents’ Walk Along the River Moselle Route – from Markfield Park to Lordship Rec

10am – 1pm

Meet at Markfield Beam Engine, Markfield Park, N15. Walk starts 10.30am.

Haringey’s river, the Moselle, joins the River Lea at Markfield Park, N15 (having flowed throughout the borough from Muswell Hill). It has influenced the geography and history of Haringey. The river is underground for much of the walk route, but there will be stops and talks along the route which includes the High Road (stopping at Coombes Croft library where the river is visible beneath a glass cover in the foyer), through Tottenham Cemetery and on to Lordship Rec where the river has been recently brought above ground and restored with four new bridges amidst wonderful wild flower meadows.

Organised by “A river runs through it” project: www.ariver-runsthroughit.org.uk

Planning Meetings

There are regular open planning meetings to help coordinate the day and all are welcome to get involved – Fridays 7pm at the Lordship Rec Eco-Hub (by the lake)

All the events are being promoted and supported by The Friends of Lordship Rec (the organisation for all park users) and by the Lordship Rec Users Forum (the stakeholders body for all the park’s user groups and local community organisations)

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Friends of Lordship Rec

OUR ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 1st

2pm –  In the Eco-Hub (by the lake)

All park users welcome!

A chance to review what we’ve all achieved together

– and to discuss the next steps for making our park

a fantastic place for the whole community

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500 tottenham residents attend the 75th anniversary and re-launch of the nationally-unique Lordship Rec Model Traffic Area
– people of all ages celebrate the past, present and future of cycling

On Saturday 27th July 2013, 500 Tottenham residents and others from further afield – including over 200 children and youth – came to mark the recently-refurbished nationally-unique Model Traffic Area’s on its 75th Anniversary (to the day!), to celebrate the history of cycling, and the future of cycling in Lordship Rec. The event was organised by the local Rockstone Foundation bikeability organisation, the Friends of Lordship Rec, and the Lordship Trax cycling club.

There was a special opening speech from Barbara Leadbitter, aged 82, on how she as a local young girl remembered the creation of the ‘wonderful’ track in 1938 (the first in the world!) and played there ‘all the time’… There then followed speeches from the organisers and finally from the Mayor of Haringey. The red tape was then cut to officially re-launch the Model Traffic Area and its new era as a resource for future generations.

200 cyclists of all ages then made a procession all around the MTA circuit. This was followed by an obstacle course for children, and all who took part received a special medallion and certificate. 2 Dr Bike areas were in operation to help participants get their bikes fixed, and there were 6 related stalls (including Haringey Cycling Campaign, Smarter Travel, and Haringey Sports)

Clifton of Rockstone, and the Mayor, cut the tape to re-launch the MTA

The event also involved the adjacent Eco-Hub building. Inside was:
– display of historic photographs about the Rec, including from the Model Traffic Area throughout the decades since its opening in 1938
– sumptuous food and refreshments
– a cycling related film show

”  Like thousands of others as a child I used to frequent the model traffic area and was sad to see it fall into disrepair. I am very glad that the area has been renovated and I’m honoured to have helped organise the first public event there since the works were completed. In the coming months and years my group plans to work with young people at the site to promote the joys and benefits of cycling to new generations.”
– Ricardo Johnson, Rockstone Foundation

See the incredible news clip of the 1938 opening by the Minister of Transport on July 27th 1938!:
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/model-traffic-area-no-1/query/Tottenham+Lordship

And more historical photos and info:
http://tottenham-summerhillroad.com/lordshiprecground.htm

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Hundreds celebrate youth sports in Lordship Rec as ‘QE2’ status plaque is unveiled

On Tuesday April 2nd 2013 hundreds of local youth joined in a range of sports activities in Lordship Rec, Tottenham’s district park. The special event was organised to celebrate the history of youth sports in the park, the thriving range of sports activities there and plans to expand such activities, the re-launch of the recently-improved sports field, and the achievement of Fields In Trust ‘QE2’ protection status for the park for all time*. The events of April 2nd also launched an easter holiday 10-day programme of sports and activities, mainly for young people, in Lordship Rec, April 2nd-12th, co-ordinated by a Community/Council partnership.

The plaque is handed over!

There was a football tournament, 2 touch football and archery to re-launch the sports field, a range of sports activities (including netball, rugby, tennis basketball and athletics) in the adjacent Broadwater Farm Community Centre, and boxing in the new Eco-Hub building. There was also gardening taster sessions in the Harmony Gardens by the Community Centre in which young people were able to plant sunflower seeds to take home in pots. And all to a backing track of music from the nearby Shell Theatre.**

At 1.30pm there was an offical ‘unveiling’ ceremony  for the plaque noting the Fields In Trust ‘QE2’ status for the park, in which Haringey Council’s cabinet member for parks, Cllr Nilgun Canver, formally handed over the plaque to Clasford Stirling of Broadwater United FC and Dave Morris of the Friends of Lordship Rec (see attached photo). The ceremony was attended by over a hundred young people, other members of the public, parks staff, Leisure Services officers, Councillors, members of Lordship Rec user groups and others. Brief speeches by Clasford Stirling and Dave Morris thanked everyone who had worked so hard together over the years to improve the park and organise activities there, and they urged young people to enjoy and treasure the park for years to come.

Afterwards Dave Morris, Chair of the Lordship Rec Users Forum, said:  ” The tremendous progress and improvements made in Lordship Rec are the result of years of  community/Council dedication and partnership-working, backed by access to the additional resources needed to make it possible. We encourage all local residents to come and enjoy the new facilities.”

*  Last summer in recognition of the importance of the sports field and of all the efforts to regenerate the whole park, Lordship Rec was granted ‘QE2’ status by the national ‘Fields In Trust’ organisation, giving it protection for all time as a public green space for sports and activities.  In fact in December 2012 Lordship Rec received a national Runner Up award for the ‘Most Improved’ of the 1,500 QE2 spaces in the country! See the full story below…

** The tournament in the sports field was organised by Broadwater United Sports and Football Academy and Lordship Rec FC, and the plaque unveiling ceremony was organised by the Lordship Rec Users Forum. The activities in the Community Centre and Eco-Hub were organised by a range of sports groups, coordinated by the Lordship Rec Audience Development Officer from Haringey Council. The gardening activities were organised by the Friends of Harmony Gardens.

Background history of the sports field, and ‘QE2’ status for the park

The Lordship Rec sports field is the enclosed area in the north east corner of the Rec. Up to the 1980s it was the playing field of Somerset School (formerly Rowland Hill School). When the old school was demolished to build the Somerset Close housing estate, the Broadwater Farm Youth Association led a successful campaign to protect the field for community use. The community then cleared the field of rubble and adopted it for the youth of Tottenham. Broadwater United Sports and Football Academy (BUSAFA) was set up in 1981 and its teams have used the pitches ever since. Volunteers from BUSAFA, along with staff from the Broadwater Farm Community Centre and the Lordship Rec gardeners, have managed and maintained the field and its pitches.

Over the years many thousands of local youth have played regular football on the field, and over 200 have gone on to semi-professional and professional status. For a few years in the 1980s there were also regular cricket matches organised by the Tottenham Cricket Project.

In 2002, members of Broadwater United and the newly-created Friends of Lordship Rec got together to set up the Lordship Rec Users Forum. The aim was to bring together all the key community groups and partners to work with the Haringey Council Parks Service to develop a community vision and plan for the regeneration and co-management of the whole park. The LRUF has also organised annual community festivals in the Rec. Last September 8,000 residents attended the Lordship Rec ‘re-launch’ festival to celebrate the completion of £4m of lottery-funded improvements throughout the park. This included drainage, re-seeding and border improvements to the sports field itself.

Last summer in recognition of the importance of the playing field and of all the efforts to regenerate the whole park, Lordship Rec was granted national ‘QE2’ status, giving it protection for all time as a public green space for sports and activities.

In fact in December Lordship Rec received a Runner Up award for the ‘Most Improved’ of the 1,500 QE2 spaces in the whole country!

Let’s ensure that the sports field and the park as a whole continue to have a great future serving the people of Tottenham!

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Haringey Parks win UK Awards

FIELDS IN TRUST UK AWARDS 2012

Awards for the 1,500 ‘QE2’ status parks and playing fields
Awards given at Lords Cricket Ground, 29th November 2012

‘Getting Active’ Park – UK Winner:

‘Most Loved’ Park – UK Joint Runner Up:

Albert Road Recreation Ground, Haringey
Received by Robby and Gianluca (for the Friends of Albert Road Recreation Ground) + Tony and Neil (for the Haringey Parks Service)

‘Most Improved’ Park – UK Joint Runner Up

Lordship Recreation Ground, Haringey
Received by Dave (for the Friends of Lordship Rec) + Clasford (Broadwater United FC) + Luisa (Haringey Leisure Services Project Officer)

Peter Droussiotis, Friends of Albert Road Recreation Ground Chair, said: “Thanks to the combined efforts of FARRG and of our key partners, notably the Pavilion Sports & Café and Haringey Council, and the work of so many dedicated volunteers, and because of the support of the local community, which has championed this park at every opportunity, we have secured yet another important national recognition for our local park. This is a fantastic level of success for a relatively small park in this National competition and feels like a true reflection of the spirit and energy of all those involved. Well done to all.”

Dave Morris, Friends of Lordship Rec, said: ” Lordship Rec went into serious decline after the controversial public service cuts across the country in the 1970s and 1980s, with often just a couple of local community groups (Broadwater United and the Lordship Mother & Toddlers Group) trying to maintain activities there in the 1990s. The Friends of Lordship were set up in 2001, one of around 5,000 Friends groups which have sprung up over the last 15 years across the country to campaign for the resources and management our vital green spaces need. It has taken a colossal effort by local residents in partnership with the Council’s parks service, backed by over £5m of Lottery funding, to rescue and renew Lordship Rec. Now green spaces in Haringey and across the UK face another national financial crisis and we call on the public to join in the continuing efforts to defend, improve and speak up for them all. “


Community Festival ‘re-launches’ Tottenham’s largest park following £5m improvements

 

 



 

8,000 residents attend to celebrate the community-led regeneration of Tottenham’s largest park, and to showcase the talents and interests of Tottenham’s communities

The 2012 Lordship Rec ‘Re-launch’ Community Festival in Tottenham on Saturday 22nd September was a huge success. 8,000 attended the celebration of the new community-led regeneration works in the Recreation Ground, and took part in a dazzling array of free activities for all ages and interests. From 11am to 5pm thousands joined in the sports, arts and crafts, music and dance, history, discussions, browsing of stalls, and other fun and educational activities. As in the previous annual festivals in the Rec, the idea was to showcase the talents and interests of Tottenham’s communities and to promote community spirit. Over 70 local volunteers helped the day go smoothly.

The event was organised and co-ordinated by the Lordship Rec Users Forum**, the community-led stakeholders organisation who have driven forward the successful regeneration of the park over the last 10 years. £5m of construction works over the last 18 mths (£4m from the Heritage Lottery Fund) have resulted in a gorgeous brand-new flower-lined channel for the River Moselle, a new ‘Loop’ bike track and an Environmental Hub building with café and classroom, refurbishment of the Shell Theatre, restoration of the historic and nationally-unique Model Traffic Area, new meadows, flower-beds and tree planting, and general improvements to drainage, paths and entrances. The festival was able to introduce all these new features and facilities to local residents. Continue reading “Community Festival ‘re-launches’ Tottenham’s largest park following £5m improvements”