Your annual Shrewsbury Park Summer Festival spills joyfully into the park area near the Plum Lane entrance. Music from Ronnie Ripple and the Ripchords, the Pearly Queens and Kings etc – lots of crafts, playing, laughter, ice cream, eating, laughter and picnics with neighbours and family.
Everyone is welcome!
Spring is here! As if you haven’t already heard it from the birds themselves.
Come along and join us in a guided bird walk with Tim Rymer, a knowledgeable FSP member, who will lead us through favourite birdspotting areas of Shrewsbury Park.
It’s a prompt 8.30am start in the carpark off Plum Lane.
*Wear sturdy shoes and warm clothing – binoculars are helpful too.
*Dogs are not allowed on this walk which lasts approximately an hour.
*The walk is free, but donations to FSP projects are welcome.
Book on Eventbrite here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/guided-spring-bird-walk-tickets-1985074342796 or drop a note at 189 Plum Lane to reserve places.
The route begins on paved paths but then goes off road through woods, not suitable for all wheels. Any access questions please contact werfsp@gmail.com
Bus 244 stops by the fire station, short walk from the carpark entrance
Hear what’s been happening, how you can join in and a whole lot more. Our Ward Councillor Tamasin Rhymes will be speaking on green issues.
Be there! The House bar will be open, too! …I hope they have nuts…
The Picnic in the Park ENCORE came alive, despite the cloud and occasional drizzle, thanks to a wonderful surge of volunteers from FSP membership and friends and relations. The Pearly King and Queens stepped up to the challenge with their portable power and bags of enthusiasm to kick off despite our loss of power source.
The Pearlys were joined by our Mayor Linda Bird, Good Sport of the Year. And there was a special written piece by Blossom and Nola. Mark and the Imposters along with Pytchwood provided the music with gusto. (a member who wishes to remain nameless gained us another hour and a half with portable battery.)
Many thanks to our Safer Neighbourhood team, our FSP wildlife supporters, Greenpeace, Green Goddess pub, Shrewsbury House, Back-a-Yard Grill, Ice Cream world, Lalu Catering, Wei’s Coffee, Mamas Little Rum Cakes and the Mobile Pizza Kitchen.
The crafts and community stalls always bring a splash of variety to the Festival, thank you for your support.
The presence of Greenwich Council members Sandra Bauer, Tamasin Rhymes and Raja Zeeshan was greatly appreciated as they mingled with constituents.
What ultimately made the day was the relaxed and neighbourly spirit of all who came by, enjoying the best of Shrewsbury Park.
Below is the start of a Photo Gallery – and it’s open to anyone with some choice photos they would like to share. Just email them to werfsp@gmail.com
Now it’s your turn to add some!
The Festival Team gave it their all again – this year’s cohort was Julie Hayward, Rob Hurst, Ron Senkus, Sue Walker and Roy Williams.
My deepest thanks to them – Kris Inglis, Chair.
A new aspect to Shrewsbury is opened up by our guide, local herbalist Hazel Holt, in a free walk.
Book a place: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/herb-walk-tickets-1375840348519?aff=oddtdtcreator
If preferred, drop a note through at 189 Plum Lane to reserve a place
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 stallholder at our next festival? It will be held on
We pride ourselves on having a great display of stalls and entertainers. 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 (see link below).
Picnic in the Park Stallholder Terms and Conditions
Please complete the form below by 20 June 2025, but as early as possible before the event to guarantee a spot (we reserve the right to close applications if we are unable to accommodate stallholder applications on the day):
Picnic in the Park Stallholder Application Form
**If you require any further information or have trouble with the links please email: werfsp@gmail.com as we are happy to help.**
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:
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:
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!
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.
If you have any of your own photos of the 2 July to add, please send them to werfsp@gmail.com
