The FSP calendar is back by popular demand and we’re extending a challenge to all photographers up to and including 15 years old, to enter their ideas for the 2026 version!
Think out of the box!
Calling All Young Photographers!
Annual General Meeting 21 January 2025
You really don’t want to miss the AGM of The Friends of Shrewsbury Park!
Tuesday 21 January 2025 at 7pm in Shrewsbury House, Bushmoor Crescent
We’ll start with the business meeting including Chair’s Report, Treasurer’s Report and election of Management Committee. If you’d like to join the Committee please check out the December email again, and then contact us prior to the meeting (werfsp@gmail.com).
Please bring your comments and concerns for new business as well as events you would like to support.
One of our members whom you may already know, Roy Williams, with be giving a talk on dog behaviour strategies to make the park safer and more relaxed for ALL users, including the dogs. Q&A afterwards.
Spread the word to anyone who is new to the neighbourhood. If you know anyone who could use a written version of this info, let us know or print one out for them, please.
See you there!
Kris Inglis and the Management Committee
Bramble Battle!
It was time to fight back the brambles, a continuous job to keep variety in Shrewsbury Park – and still reap the tremendous blackberry crop this year.
Our local Scout leader, Ruby Shand rallied some Scouts to work on their hedgerow area and the Plum Lane path. She also happens to run the Volunteer Days for Barclays employees and once again organised a gang of 25 to donate their time and energy to park tasks.
They followed the expert guidance of John Denton, whose butterfly transect and paths really needed opening up. Plus the crossroads corner and other adjacent paths were cleared for all park users. At least until the next spurt of growth!
They enjoyed the gorgeous day, time outside and a picnic for lunch. And we would like to thank them all for a sterling job which hopefully you are all benefiting from as you walk the park.
Thank you Barclays and 10th Royal Eltham, John for leading and Ruby for organising.
Summer Festival Success
And a good time was had by all!
Our annual celebration of the park event co-sponsored by Parksfest, Greenwich, was a rousing success thanks to the Management Committee and loyal helpers-on-the day from the membership. There was a diverse mix of craft and community interest groups stalls, tasty local food on offer AND the return of the Dog Show to kick off the day.
The weather cooperated for attendees bringing their picnics, families and friends to enjoy music, entertainment and simply sharing the delights of Shrewsbury Park.
I wish to sincerely thank Sandra, Iris, Zena, John, Ron and Roy of the Committee who took charge and did the lion’s share of the work in the lead up and on the day. ( I was unable to be involved this time – Kris, Chair)
We are always open to new Committee members so please consider joining and adding your skills. FSP do a lot of nature-based activities as well as the Festival and Quizzes. Look out for the AGM in November or contact werfsp@gmail.com anytime. The Park needs its Friends Group more than ever.
Here is a gallery of the Festival highlights:
Dog Show
QUIZ NIGHT BACK at Shrewsbury House
Friday 31 May 6.45pm for 7pm
All proceeds to benefit Shrewsbury Park.
Our amazing Quizmasters, Geoff and Dee will ask some suitably tricky questions, and we even see the return of the charades round by the Improvshrews!
Come and join us – bring your family, friends or anyone with a quizzer brain and have a barrel of laughs – you won’t regret it
Open Bar with snacks available in the House
At just £8 per person, it’s a very cheap and fun night out, so come and join us!
Bring your own nibbles
Tempting Raffle Prizes
Renowned Quizmasters Dee and Geoff
Prize for the winners (and for the biggest losers!)
Tables of 6 maximum: Just to make it fair and spread the brains around equally!
Tickets via eventbrite:
Get your tickets here:
Terms and Conditions for Stallholders at the Shrewsbury Park Summer Festival
Shrewsbury Park, Plum Ln, Plumstead SE18 3AG
Conditions of participation as a stallholder
HEALTH & SAFETY
Stallholders must comply with all Health & Safety regulations at all times.
PITCH ALLOCATION
You will be allocated a pitch once you arrive at the festival, provided your completed application and full payment has been received and approved.
ENTRY
You should arrive at the Plum Lane entrance. Only one car with the stall will be permitted to use the car park or if conditions allow, you may park behind your pitch. You will have informed us of the registration information on the application form.
EQUIPMENT
We expect you to provide all your own equipment for the safe construction of your stall or activity. Please consider the possibility of inclement or hot weather at the event and plan accordingly. (This includes providing your own gazebo, table and chair)
LITTER
You are responsible for clearing any litter around your stall. Please make sure your site and the surrounding area is clean when you leave your pitch. Waste bins can be found around the site, some are for recyclable materials and some for general waste.
If your activities need any kind of license it must be available for inspection at the event.
Please ensure your signs and exhibits do not overshadow or obscure any neighbouring displays.
You must not use any amplification unless previously agreed in writing with us at time of application.
FOOD STALLS
In line with legislation, only registered food providers can make and sell food or drink on the day.
CANCELLATION
If you have made an application and money has been paid, but you then wish to make a cancellation, the following policy applies:
– If notification is received 100 days prior to the event we will refund the whole amount
– If notification is received 60 days prior to the event we will refund 50% of the fee
– If notification is received under 60 days prior to the event, you will not receive a refund.
INSURANCE
All stall holders are responsible for obtaining their own Public Liability and other relevant
insurances. The event organisers cannot insure stalls, including their infrastructure,
contents and staff. Your participation at this event is at your own risk.
Summary of November AGM
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the Friends of Shrewsbury Park 16 November 2023 at Shrewsbury House, Bushmoor Crescent
WELCOME & MATTERS ARISING FROM 2022 AGM – not covered in the agenda
This year’s calendar was the result of our merchandising survey in January.
Park signage – permanent, informative identification of wildlife, landscape, habitat, views. (Project will be pursued through the Greenwich Neighourhood Fund available through RBG. The plan is to apply in the spring award period
Improve paths in Nature reserve area and removal of camp – will continue next maintenance day.
CHAIR’S REPORT – by Kris Inglis It’s been a year of regrouping for the Friends and the Management committee – being flexible with the Parks and Open Spaces department and encouraging new volunteers to membership and activities. I’d like to give a quick rundown on what DID happen;
FEBRUARY – Daffodil bulb planting across Rowton Road open space with the help of 10th Royal Eltham Scouts; late but successful results. Also some hard work by members clearing the steps to Wrekin Road. I would like to thank Zena and Dave for supervising this activity.
MARCH – Dedication of a bench to our dear friend Sonja O’Sullivan, overlooking the view.
APRIL – Bird Walk led by Tim Rymer
MAY – Dawn Chorus walk, with Tim, which led to discovery of a sparrow hawk nest. Quiz at Shrewsbury House run brilliantly by Geoff and Dee Goodwin.
JUNE – Foraging Walk led by Kevin Godby, expanded the knowledge of this popular pastime.
JULY – Summer Festival, in a new format due to many hiccups and circumstances, turned out to be a happy and inclusive giant picnic atmosphere. Thanks to everyone who helped or simply joined in on the day.
Meadow maintenance day with volunteer teams from Barclays Bank and Scouts, all rallied together by Ruby Shand who is involved with both groups.
AUGUST – Bat Walk led by Les Clark on International Bat Weekend
SEPTEMBER – History Time Walk led by Andy Brockman ending up at Shrewsbury House bar
OCTOBER – Production of 2024 calendar from members contributions. Launched sales in the Park one Saturday
NOVEMBER – Call out for volunteers to spread wood chippings delivered by Council to improve Dothill pathway. Ten people showed up to help!
**Thank you so much to all the walk leaders who volunteer their time and specialised enthusiasm as members of FSP. We’re developing a reputation as a natural park and haven for wildlife thanks to these walks.
TREASURER’S REPORT – by Sandra Bauer, read by Zena Marshall
Since last year, the management committee have made a number of decisions around how to handle the Friends Of Shrewsbury Park finances.
The first decision was to change from NatWest bank where we did not have access to electronic banking, nor a debit card merely a cheque-book. After researching, we decided to go to Metrobank who welcomed community accounts. The new account was opened in July this year.
Secondly we decided to purchase a debit card reader, so that we could take electronic payments at events. We were able to test this when selling our calendars. The SumUp machine also enables us to have an online store. People can order calendars from this website and pay online.
The treasurer has full access to electronic banking and can make transfers. Two other members of the management committee hold debit cards so that they can make payments where necessary.
The new account does mean that we need to limit the amount of cash we take as there are charges for processing cash into the bank account. Wherever possible we would like to move to contactless payments.
To summarise the year’s financial position, we are in a slight deficit when compared to the previous year. However, we have recovered most of the cost of the memorial bench that we had installed earlier this year. There is a clear plan for maximising income, which will enable us to make improvements to the park and continue to hold events.
Accounts for 2022-2023 are available on the website or on request werfsp@gmail.com
MEADOW MOWING
Mowing schedules and concerns have been clarified more than ever this year with the Parks Dept who share the same objectives of preserving the variety of species habitats on Shooters Hill (including the adjacent golf course and farm). You may have seen the big blue tractor, finally mowing the meadow in November. The plan is to start rotation mowing this summer, 1/3 of the area per year. This is the proven and sound approach for plants and insects, the base of a healthy environment for all.
Amenity mowing (keeping grass short for sport and playing) in the field by the carpark, main walk to and including big field, will be continued 3 times a year. Desire line paths that you see around other areas will also be maintained.
*We are always talking with Parks Dept re paths with disability and buggy access.
*We try to keep a balance of the range of park users’ expectations.
*We aim to make the best use of the council’s resources coordinated with FSP volunteers’ time and energy.
ELECTION OF MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Present committee was introduced and agreed to continue for another year: Sandra Bauer, Alan Deacon, Kristine Inglis, Zena Marshall, Ron Senkus, Iris White – with two brand new members John Rastall and Roy Williams.
The committee was proposed, seconded and voted in unanimously. Any FSP member can volunteer to join the committee, please contact a current member for a chat or email werfsp@gmail.com any time.
If you feel you could train up for the Treasurer’s position don’t hold back.
OUTDOOR VOLUNTEER GROUP
We are very heartened by a growing number of volunteers for planting and maintenance days this past year. I’d like to build up that bank to call on when needed, for example the November woodchip-spreading marathon!
And your yearly generosity of time for the day of the Summer Festival is what makes that event happen, thank you.
AOB: comments and concerns from attendees – many points and queries shared and answered.
Members’ creative competition
Have a look at the gallery of photos and artistic interpretations submitted for the 2024 Calendar!
Well done everyone and thank you.
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.
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!