The Friends of Abington Park park is a group of volunteers who meet once a month to formulate action plans for the Park. Some of the work we do is 'hands on' for example clearing rubbish and weeding. We have successfully secured the funding for the fitness equipment and the fantastic new children's play equipment. We also engage with the local Safer Community Police Team and the Borough Council to lobby for support and resources. If you would like to join us please phone Brian or Anne Stevens on 01604 631890.    Annual membership £5.

 Pictures from litter Pick 27th february 2010

 Minutes of the Friends of Abington Park Meeting 11th November 2009.  

Matters arising from minutes and action. Bird and Bat Box’s, David Garlic will try again to contact the wildlife trust, it was reported at their last presentation that they had contacts who could advise on sites of box’s and assist in the installation of the box’s. He will also try and arrange a date with them for a walk through the copse and advise on what wildlife and trees can be seen or encouraged to the area. Friday 27th November, meeting at the museum at 10.30am has been proposed. Brian and David informed the group that funding for this project has been acquired.

The litter collection by the council now being taken more seriously. But it was reported that on a Monday morning following the football matches held on Sunday there was excess litter causing safety concerns, Brian Hoare agreed to send a note raising this concern on the action board.

The Rose garden no further news on additional roses bushes still required. We will continue to raise this with the council. However, after our meeting an informal conversation with the gardener, suggests that new rose bushes are likely in the near future. Petanque terrain. No further developments. Brian Hoare informed the group that there was a Parks and open spaces 5 year plan report going to committee on the 25th November he will give an update at our next meeting or arrange a speaker on this, so that as a group we can all work together and focus our efforts and the council on what we all want for our park working together. (Petanque pitches x 3 and refurbishment of the band stand for example) It was raised as to how as a group we can access funding and what types of funding are available. It was reported that the Friends of Hunsbury Park have been very successful and that we should make contact with them or at least try and attend one of their meeting to see how they work together and how we can do the same. Anne and Brian to look into this.

Report from the gardening group Work has continued planting the winter bedding plants mainly in the sensory garden and the surrounding area including the butterfly boarder, which is looking much better. It was still felt that it would be a good idea to invite a leader from the Choices group to come along to a future meeting to talk about the work they are doing in the Park. David Garlic is to arrange this.

Updates on developments in the Park Contact has now been established with the new Safer community team, Who have set up a Park Watch. Barry will continue to communicate with them and we will work together and raise any concerns with them where appropriate.

The meeting was advised of a 1.1 million pound grant for the play builder project, Play equipment for older children is under discussion.

Next meetings: Wednesday 17th February 2010 7pm. All are welcome

Since our meeting we have had the sad news that Ruby Bliss our former chair person for Friends of Abington Park passed away on 20th November 2009. Our thoughts and sympathy are with her family at this difficult time. Her funeral was held on 2nd December at Milton county crematorium at 2.45pm And was attended by members of Friends of Abington Park.