4,000 attend event to showcase the talents and concerns of Tottenham’s communities, and the potential of Tottenham’s largest park, on the eve of Lottery funding decision (due Sept 28th)
The 2010 Lordship Rec Community Festival, Lordship Lane, Tottenham on Sat 13th Sept was a huge success. Around 4,000 attended and took part in the activities which went on from 11am to 5pm. The event was organised and co-ordinated by the Lordship Rec Users Forum, the community-led stakeholders organisation driving forward the regeneration of the park. This year, in addition to the usual activities, the event incorporated a ‘Make A Change’ sports participation extravaganza (co-ordinated by the Council’s Leisure Services team) and the ‘Tottenham Green Fair’ (co-ordinated by the Back 2 Earth local charity).
Activities included the Tottenham Flower & Produce Show, Dog Agility/Companion Show, Cycling Activities (including Trax skills, Dr Bike and Peace Bike Ride), Fun Run, performances (music and dance) & DJ, BWF Community Cafe, Cream Teas area, Skateboarding/BMXing, Youth Bus, Football Tournaments (including the annual Andre Linton Football Tournament), Netball, Tennis, Aerobics, Martial Arts, Rugby, Arts and Crafts for Under-5s and for older children, Pedal-powered Stage, History Displays, Lakeside Bug Hunt, Adventure Play, Children’s Procession led by a bagpiper, Picnics and Community Stalls.
Once again the annual Festival showcased the talents and concerns of Tottenham’s communities and the potential of Tottenham’s largest park. As always, the emphasis was on active participation in the wide range of activities at the event. Of particular note this year was the fantastic array of community stalls, the range of sporting activities promoted via a lively performance stage in the main field, and a Green Zone with the Tottenham Horticulture and Crafts Show, pedal-powered stage performances and cream teas cafe. Over 70 local volunteers helped the day go smoothly.
The Lordship Rec Users Forum has co-ordinated years of discussion, public consultation, and partnership-working between the Friends of Lordship Rec, the Council’s parks department, Back To Earth projects, and other groups. Due to those community-driven efforts, and massive support from local people, the park has now been provisionally earmarked £4m from the Lottery. We’ll get this as long as the HLF are satisfied with the additional ‘match-funding’ that’s been raised and with the detailed designs for the planned improvements. The HLF will decide on September 28th!
The plans include a new environmental centre, a city farm, restoration of the river, the Shell Theatre and model traffic area, improved maintenance and management… and much more! Together over the last few years we’ve already created new active play areas, some new pathways and flower beds, a new children’s playground, the restoration of the lake area and woodlands, and on-site staffing.
” I never cease to be amazed and inspired by the wealth of talent, energy, and community spirit all around us – as showcased during the festival. As we await the final decision of the Lottery Board on whether they will release the funding earmarked for the park’s improvements plans it’s clear that the people of Tottenham are entitled to the best possible facilities and opportunities. ” – Dave Morris, Chair of the Lordship Rec Users Forum
Groups laying on activities included:
Back 2 Earth, Friends of Lordship Rec, Lordship Mother & Toddler Group, Lordship Trax, Lordship Dog Club, Haringey Recreation Services, Church on the Farm, Make A Change, Haringey Youth Service, Broadwater Farm Community Centre, Middx Badminton Academy, Cycle Training UK, Froglife, BTCV, Haringey Play Association, Hackney City Farm, Kids Collective / SCRAPP, Children’s Centres, 4YP, Willow Weavers, London Boxing Academy, Sanjuro, Blitz, Skolars, Asian Action Group, Brakethru Club, Tottenham Hotspurs Foundation, SAS martial arts, Pony Rides, Haringey Borough Women’s FC, Cross Sports, Peace Picnic, WHL Tennis Club, Haringey Sports Trust, Community Action Sport, and the Little Flame Ambulance Service. And of course our hard-working parks staff!
Stalls included:
Abolition UK, African Drumming and Lion Dance Comedy Show, Awaiting Eyes Foundation, Bee demonstration, BEH Mental Health Trust, Bolivian Embassy crafts, BTCV, BWF History Project, Cancer Screening Health Promotion (NHS Haringey), Casa Alianza, Chestnuts Northside Residents Association, Clyde Area Residents Association, Dr Bird, Flame Tree Fair Trade, Footsteps, Friendship Club, Friends of Lordship Rec, Froglife, Eagle Solutions Ltd, Environmental Law Foundation, Environmental Resources Team (Haringey Council), Green Lens Studios, Hammonds Eye Practice, Handmade Decorative Items, Haringey Adult Learning Services, Haringey Cycling Campaign, Haringey Guarantee, Haringey Justice for Palestinians, Haringey Life Savers, Haringey Solidarity Group, Haringey Alliance for Public Services, Headway North London, Henna + Glitter Tattoos, Home Start, Living Under One Sun, Mighty Veg Delights, Virgin Gym, Mulally, NHS Haringey, NHS Health Trainers, Opera foods, Pocket Money Items, Portrait Painting, University and College Union, Safer Neighbourhoods Team, Samaria’s designs, Solar Empower, Solestar Arts Ltd, Street Cats Welfare, Sustainable Haringey, Tottenham Civic Society, Tottenham Community Choir.
Apologies: Apologies to all those missed out (and there were many more!)
Festival Contacts:
Lordship Rec Users Forum: dmorris@onetel.com 0208 211 0916
Back 2 Earth: felix@back2earth.org.uk
Make A Change: tanya.adair@haringey.gov.uk