Friends of Wormholt Park

Best in Show dog Bertie, with owner Linda Smith and the Judge David Spencer.

Despite being a damp day the Walkies in the Park event was great fun with over 50 local people enjoying the park and braving the wet weather. The Dogs Trust and Parks Constabulary were delighted to have micro-chipped 13 dogs, and 16 dogs entered the four categories of the competition judged by David Spencer.

Prettiest bitch - was won by Emmy, owned by Liz; second was Lady owned by TJ, and third was Duchess owned by Cherry.

Most handsome dog - was won by Bertie, owned by Linda; second was Pip owned by Ken, and third was Vinnie owned by Theresa Parma.

Dog most like its owner - was won by Harley, owned by Cathy; second was Oliver owned by David Rosos, and third was Chip owned by Ted Wiles.

Cleverest dog - was won by Bootsie, owned by Paul; second was Pip owned by Ken, and third was Riley owned by Mark Osborne.

Best in show - went to Bertie, the Newfoundland owned by Linda Smith.

‘Pretty in Pink’ Trixie Kosanovic stealing the limelight in front of the Best in Show line up!

A big thank you to Garry at Phoenix for lending us equipment, and to all those Friends who donated plants or helped on the day including Victoria, Chris, Leye, Babs, Vanessa, Clare, Nick, Lorraine, Elizabeth and Caroline.

Building Better Health Ltd (BBH), the developers of the Bloemfontein Road site have arrived this week. Galliford Try, the contracted builders have been felling trees and preparing for the extension of the hoarded site area.

Whilst the next few weeks will see dramatic change, the good news is that our voice was heard by Hammersmith & Fulham Council and the developers, such that the cordoned off area is less than speculated, so that during the 2 years of building:

• the small play area will remain open
• the tennis courts can be used
• the large pine trees stay.

However, both the park entrances on Sawley Road and Bryony Road at the Bloemfontein Road end will be closed, and many surrounding trees felled to make way for the main entrances into the development site.

It has also been established and agreed that:

• all ‘fit for re-use’ assets e.g. railings and gates, will be kept in storage by H&F Council
• the tennis court fencing will be patched up so it can be used appropriately.

This diagram (download as PDF) illustrates the perimeter of the hoarding and the trees within which will soon be gone.

Those of you that visited Wormholt Park for the centenary celebrations on 10th September last year would have seen the history display of the park and the surrounding area. Many of you may have met our historian, Peter Trott, on the day.

We are continuing to seek out memories and photos to go in a 32-page booklet celebrating the first 100 years of the park, to be published in April this year. Peter is continuing to research the history; just in the last few weeks he has uncovered a photo of the Wormholt Park School sports day from the late 1950s and a picture of the 1959 winning Wormholt Park School football team.

This Friday (20th January) the Fulham & Hammersmith Chronicle will be publishing a few photos and a further appeal for help.

We are particularly looking for memories and photos of the bandstand, the Second World War shelter trenches and the allotments. Also photos of tennis or bowls matches and more recently, basketball, cricket or football matches. From the 1950s through to the 1980s the Council held August Bank Holiday Galas and various theatre groups performed in the park but we have only found one or two photos.

In 1972 the first PlayCubes in England were installed in the playground. Do you have a photo of them? Or any photos of the earlier or later playgrounds?

If you can help please email wormholtpark@gmail.com.

Stan Davies, Inspector Parks Constabulary for H&F, and Wormholt Park’s own Ambassador – Constable Hazel Ryan – attended our committee meeting on Weds 11 January. The discussion started with a couple of interesting facts: there were 11 arrests in the park for criminal activity in 2009, 18 in 2010 and back down again to 11 in 2011; the majority of these crimes have been drug dealing related. We also learnt Wormholt Park sits in the middle of the ‘league of crime’ in the parks across Hammersmith & Fulham. Parks Constabulary are to increase their patrol of the park over the next few weeks and the H&F Range Rover CCTV will slowly drive through the park once or twice each day.

Whilst the perception of some local residents is the park is very dangerous, the reality is that you are not likely to be a victim of crime by being in the park. However, it is known through all the consultation last year, that many people do feel uneasy about being in the park due to the anti-social behaviour of some of its users. Stan and Hazel’s strongest recommendation was more usage of the park reduces anti-social behaviour, and if you do witness anyone damaging park property, breaking bottles, dealing drugs, lighting BBQs, dog fouling etc. be brave and be sensible – keep your distance and telephone Parks Constabulary, store their number in your mobile: 020 8753 5999 – it is always answered by a real person, not voicemail, and they have a standard call-out time of 30 minutes (which has been consistently met, and is usually less). Hazel keeps a record of all information received, so even if it seems pointless to call, the description of people/dogs, events, times etc. enables her to build a picture, be watchful and act accordingly.

If you are worried about safety and security in the park, or been a witness of anti-social behaviours or criminal acts, now is the chance to get your voice heard. Stan Davies, Inspector of Parks Constabulary, is attending the Friends Committee meeting on Wednesday 11 January at 7.15pm.

The Friends survey last summer showed the collectively highest ranked priority to be security/safety in the park. Read the full copy of the Friends Survey.

The venue for the meeting is yet to be confirmed so just email our Secretary, Clare, via wormholtpark@gmail.com and let her know you would like to attend.

If you are unable to attend but would like a comment made, or question asked of Stan Davies, then simply email it to Clare at the same email address.