Tag Archives: friends of shrewsbury park

Environment, Events, Organised walks

Late Summer Time Walk

On Friday 8 September, 25 local residents enjoyed stepping back in time with Dr Andy Brockman.

Our subject matter was: Front Line Park: Shrewsbury Park in the 20th Century Including the LCC Open Air School and defence of London.

Dr Andy Brockman, Archaeologist and Historian

After meeting by the car park, we visited the area where the open air school had it’s buildings, and saw photographs of the school in action. We were able to view documents that described how the children were selected, educated and monitored, turning out healthier and well nourished pupils back to their homes.

Strolling back through to the car park with Andy, we saw clearly where the barrage balloons were tethered. We learnt how these were used in the foiling of enemy aircraft, driving them away from bombing targets.

We were told a few interesting (and funny) stories about how this all worked, which Andy had taken from some testimonies of local people at the time.

Andy expertly brought to life these amazing past events and fielded questions as we went along. Ending up at Shrewsbury House, there were more artifacts to look at, as well as a very welcome Friday evening beverage or two.

We look forward to our next foray into local history!

Events

Picnic in the Park

Our 2023 Festival didn’t disappoint! Great music, great stalls and most important of all our fantastic local community came out in their droves – we estimate we had around 500 people attending over the course of the afternoon. We are so grateful for your support – this is the reason the committee put in the work – thank you for making it amazing!

And an extra thank you to the current Committee members: Sandra, Iris, Zena, Ron and Alan who spent many an hour planning and troubleshooting to put the event together. Can’t leave out the trusty core volunteers who turn up for set-up and take-down and always with a smile. – Kris, Chair

And thumbs up to Greenwich Parks Forum for their support and the Greenwich Borough Park Rangers who made sure the site was clean and clear, before and after.

Comperes John and Erik
Navida’s amazing cakes
Friends of Shrewsbury Park Stall
Roos Academy perform
Cllr Okereke, Leader of the Council chats to stallholders

If you have any of your own photos of the 2 July to add, please send them to werfsp@gmail.com

Events

Oh what a night!

We had a fantastic time at the Friends of Shrewsbury Park Quiz last night, at Shrewsbury House!

Our fantastic Quizmasters, Dee and Geoff tested our general knowledge to the max. From Shrewsbury House Community Centre‘s resident Improshrews, we enjoyed Erik and John playing out scenes from comedy shows through the ages!

Find out more about the Improshrews here: improshrews.weebly.com

Thanks to everyone who came – the big winners with the craziest team name ever, was: Peanut Butter Giggle Sticks

The biggest losers: The Wooden Spoons

Our thanks also to the staff at Shrewsbury House, who were so welcoming – especially the reception and bar staff who were kept nice and busy.

Want to come and join us at the next quiz? Keep watch – we’ll post the date asap!

Environment, Events, Organised walks

Fabulous Foraging

On Saturday 13 May, we gathered to discover what edible delights the park has to offer! Experienced, self-taught, and local forager, Kevin Godby from GCDA led us around the park, introducing us to lots of plants, bushes and trees that have edible parts.

Kevin had a great list of tips to share, including not foraging at a low level, to avoid contamination, never consuming too much of one kind of forage, being mindful of the time of year and ripeness of plants. As a general rule of thumb, younger seeds, buds and leaves are juicier and tastier!

We look forward to welcoming Kevin back to the park in another season to learn more!

Events

Want to run a Stall at the 2023 Festival?

Have you got a passion for your hobby or interest? Maybe you volunteer for a fantastic charity that you’d like to represent?

Then why not be a stall-holder at our next festival? It will be held on Sunday 2 July 2023, 12 -5pm

We pride ourselves on having a great display of stalls and we love having old friends back, as well as new local community groups, charities, hobbyists or other sellers.

We welcome hundreds of visitors on the day – mostly local people living close to the park, but increasingly people from Greenwich and Bexley, and sometimes even further afield.

Please read the terms and conditions document (see link below) and fill in the form below:

Shrewsbury Park Stallholders Terms and Conditions

Please submit the form below by 7 June 2023:

Can’t see the form? Use this link

Environment, Uncategorised

Sonja O’Sullivan

Last weekend, we officially christened our newest bench, installed with many kind donations from local people. It is dedicated to our beloved Sonja O’Sullivan, a treasured friend and member of our management committee. Her husband, Brian, spoke movingly about her love of the park.

Friends and family turned out in their droves on a cold March morning to celebrate her life.

Next time you are there, take a look – there’s a fabulous view from it too!

See if you can spot Sonja’s sister in the group photo – a great family resemblance!

Friends and family pose with the bench
Kris, our Chair and Brian speak movingly about Sonja’s achievements and love of the park
Events

Park Inspirations

Don’t miss these!

It started as a creative competition and grew into a proper Exhibition at the Summer Festival. There was too much variety and mixed media to choose one winner so here’s the gallery where you can enjoy all the entries…

All the creators are FSP members of 18+ yrs

 

Uncategorised

Dog Show at our Festival Announced

Have you got a pretty poodle or a dress-up Dalmatian?
Now we have a chance for them to shine! The Dog Show is part of our annual festival and we want you to get ready to take part – it is all for fun, and we’re happy to provide you with an opportunity to show off! 🐕‍🦺
Just register your dog on the day, registration opens at 11.30am and goes on until 12.30pm
The categories are:
  • Best Costume
  • Cutest Puppy (aged up to 1 year)
  • Golden Oldie (aged over 7)
  • Child Handler (child aged up to 12 years)
  • Best Rescue (rescued within the last 2 years)
  • Handsome Prince
  • Prettiest Princess
  • Best In Show
  • Waggiest Tail
  • Scruffiest Dog

Go on …. get involved – we can’t wait to see all those delectable dogs enjoying themselves in our park!

Events

Quiz night a great success!

Aside

Our latest quiz took place on Friday 17 June at Shrewsbury House.

Another sold-out event, the keen quizzers were treated to a first-class show by Dee and Geoff,  joined by two members of the improv group, The ImprovShrews, which meets at Shrewsbury House. They were called in for the films round, when they gleefully acted out some key scenes from ‘on the waterfront’ ‘whatever happened to baby jane’ and most memorably, ‘Grease’!

Our stand out winners on the night were a team of just 2 members – trouncing all the six member quiz teams.

Thanks go to Shrewsbury House staff, including the wonderful bar team, Sonia Maloney, the ever-excellent Geoff and Dee.

We can’t wait for the next one!

FSP Calendar, Uncategorised

SALE – grab a calendar for just £4!

We’ve got a few calendars left, and we’d love to give them all good homes!

Now we are a few weeks into the year, you can have one for a discounted price, safe in the knowledge that your money is going to a great cause – please buy yours now!

Just complete the form below, and let us know how you would like to pay – to pay online,  use the ‘donate’ button below, and pay £4 per calendar – if you’d like an envelope add 50p. Cash or cheque purchases can be arranged by contacting werfsp@gmail.com

Delivery to the SE18, SE2 or DA16 postcodes is free of charge.