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Good to see the North Millfields towpath restored. This Saturday (13
Nov) LBH and British Waterways are asking for volunteers to plant
wildflower seed and native bulbs in the flowerbed alongside. Turn up
11am-1pm if you fancy mucking in. We assume tools, gloves etc are
provided but you could probably bring your favourite trowel... and
maybe a thermos...

More from Laura White <laura.white@...>

Hackney Parks Newsletter November 2010 Haggerston Park Pond Update Work to repair the pond in Haggerston Park is now complete. We removed the old liner, which was badly damaged and leaking, and re-dug the pond. A new liner has been laid, and topped with clay. We are now letting rainfall naturally fill the pond up. We are arranging a planting day with Sebright School in the spring.   Parks for Life Returns to Summer 2011 Parks for Life was a big hit in 2010, with over 20,000 Hackney residents enjoying an exciting programme of free events and activities to get themselves fit and healthy in our award-winning parks.  There was something for everyone from Boot camp, Tai chi and Running classes to the Springfield Festival and family picnic days.   Would you like to get involved next summer?  We are looking for fitness instructors, photography clubs, walking groups, volunteers - absolutely anyone who has an idea on how they could contribute to or be part of Parks for Life 2011.   So don’t sit on the sidelines – get involved and get in touch!  Web: www.hackney.gov.uk/parksforlife Email: ParksforLife@... Phone: 020 8356 5378 Hackney’s Trees You may have noticed the leaves turning brown earlier than usual on Chestnut trees in our parks. These two articles from the Royal Horticultural Society provide some useful information about some of the problems affecting trees in the UK at the moment. http://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/News/What-s-happening-to-our-conker-trees http://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/News/-Replacement--elm-identified .   Promoting Responsible Dog Ownership in Parks Hackney Council is working with Dogs Trust – the largest dog welfare charity in the UK - to offer residents free dog microchipping, agility classes, advice and training in the borough’s parks over the coming months. Dogs Trust staff will be on hand to offer low cost and free neutering vouchers and general advice on dog ownership. This is part of a wider drive to promote responsible dog ownership in the borough. See the ‘Dates for Diaries’ section of the newsletter for event information. Further events are scheduled to take place in 2011.   Bats at Springfield Park Eagle-eyed Park Rangers at Springfield Park have discovered a rare bat living in the park. There have been up to five Nathusius' pipistrelle using gaps in a building as a mating roost, making the most of the warm autumn before winter sets in. Nathusius' pipistrelle are small mammals, only about 5cm long and weighing about as much as a £2 coin. This species of bat is rare in the UK but does like places that are close to rivers and woodlands - exactly the habitats we have at Springfield Park. There are 9 different species of bat in London and 17 in the UK, all of which are highly protected through legislation. Like all bats, Nathusius' pipistrelle is vulnerable to threats such as the loss of places to roost and a decline in the insects that they feed on so it is really important that we look after the places and habitats that they need. Gaps in buildings and small cracks in trees in places like Springfield Park are ideal homes for these special creatures. If you'd like to find out more about wildlife in Hackney please visit http://www.hackney.gov.uk/biodiversity.htm    Canal Towpath at Millfields British Waterways have been working with Hackney's Transport and Parks teams on the canal towpath at North Millfields. Repairs have been carried out to the canal wall and British Waterways have installed nesting holes for Sand Martins and planting areas of reed to provide new habitats. The next phase of work involves planting up the re-landscaped area next to the towpath with wildflower seed and native bulbs to improve the biodiversity value. There will be a volunteer day on Saturday 13 November 11am-1pm to carry out the planting - all are welcome! More information is available from Laura White laura.white@....   DATES FOR DIARIES   Free Microchipping, Training and Responsible Dog Ownership Advice   Free Microchipping and Advice: 12 November 2010, 2-7pm, Clissold Park 27 November 2010, 11am-4pm, Butterfield Green 4 December 2010, 11am-4pm, Well St Common   Free Training: 20 November 2010, 11am-4pm, Hackney Downs 1 December 2010, 12-4pm, Butterfield Green 22 December 2010, 12-4pm, Hackney Downs   13 November and 28 November 2010, 11am -12pm Walks on Hackney Marsh  Meet at the marsh end of Marshgate Bridge (the bridge over the Lee at Homerton Road). Map: http://tinyurl.com/marshgate. Cup of tea provided afterwards at the Tree Nursery - you're welcome to bring a picnic to eat indoors or out.   13 November 2010, 11am - 3pm Walking Challenge A walking challenge along the Lea Valley, Springfield and Hackney Marshes. The challenge will involve walks along the newly opened Lea Valley towpath and walkers can take part in a quiz along the way about the local area, history and wildlife as well as fun activities along the route like giant jenga, shoe golf, badminton etc. Contact Laura White for further information Laura.White@... .   13 November 2010, 11am Clissold Park User Group Meeting The new church rooms, St Mary’s, Church Street.   14 November 2010, 10am -1pm East West Bank Nature Reserve Activity Day Planting new trees and clearing out litter from the reserve. Everyone's welcome and tools are provided. Meet on the corner of West Bank and Dunsmure Road. 14 November 2010, 2-4 pm Community Gardening on Butterfield Green Weeding newly planted areas and mulching the fruit trees. Tools, gloves and refreshments provided.    23 November 2010, 7- 9pm Mabley Green User Group Meeting The Hackney Wick Community Centre, Old Baths, Eastway. 24 November 2010, 7.30pm London Fields User Group Meeting Upstairs room in the Pub on the Park   27 November 2010, 3pm Springfield Park Walkabout The Springfield Park User Group will hold a walkabout in the park to be followed by tea in Spark Cafe at 4pm. Come and meet fellow park users, talk about what you like about the park, what needs to be improved, and find out how you can contribute. For more info, contact spugcommittee@....   29 November 2010, 6-8pm General Meeting for London's Friends/Users Groups and borough-wide Forums All Friends and Users Groups, and their borough-wide Forums, are welcome to attend! Committee Room 5 at City Hall (downstairs by the cafe) 110 The Queens Walk, London, SE1 2AA (10mins walk from London Bridge tube station). Contact Dave Morris, Chair, LGSFGN on dmorris@... for further information.   8 December 2010, 7.30 pm General Butterfield Green User Group meeting Meet at Coffee Corner, on Wordsworth Road, followed by the Shakespeare Residents' meeting at 8. Seasonal refreshments provided.   14 December 2010, 7-9pm. Hackney Biodiversity Partnership meeting Discussion of the draft Hackney Biodiversity Action Plan and a celebration of our progress throughout 2010! More information about HBP is at http://www.hackney.gov.uk/hackney-biodiversity-partnership.htm     For more information visit the Hackney Parks Website http://www.hackney.gov.uk/cp-community-parks.htm    You are receiving this e-mail because you signed up to find out information about what's going on in Hackney's parks and green spaces.  You can unsubscribe from this newsletter at any time by sending a request to Eleanor.Johnson@...

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Millfields Park North mugging warning from Police

Police are warning residents who use Millfields Park North especially
at night time as a short cut, to be aware of their surroundings after
a rash of muggings and attempted muggings, with threats of extreme violence.

Leabridge Safer Neighbourhoods Team are in the process of
distributing leaflets all across North Hackney, informing residents
and giving tips.

A police spokesperson said "the incidents were occurring during the
earlier part of the evening, usually once it gets dark" but warn that
people should be aware at all times especially in the dark.

News of the muggings began to surface online last week after a local
blog, Millfields Park, posted a warning from a reader:

"I thought you might want to mention on your blog that a mugger seems
to be targeting people cutting through the park at night from the bus
stops on Lea Bridge Road and heading to Harry Zeital Way. My partner
was mugged and threatened with being stabbed last night close to the
new towpath, the Police seemed to suggest it wasn't the first of late."

(Thanks to hackney hive and millfields park blog)
http://www.hackneyhive.co.uk/index/2010/12/millfields-park-north-mugging-warning\
-from-police/
http://millfieldspark.blogspot.com/2010/12/mugging-on-north-millfields.html

I regret to announce that Brian has resigned with immediate effect as
Secretary of Millfields User Group because of his personal situation.
He will be continuing as a member of MUG. He will be tidying up some
of the papers to make an effective handover. In the interim I and Bob
will field all calls, papers etc. Brian has done an outstanding job
as Secretary, tackling with gusto many complex matters, getting onto
the Parks dept about the many issues that bug us all, and
persistently following them through, as well as always providing a
high standard of minutes, reports and agendas. He has also been a
tremendous friend to Millfields and to us all. An extremely difficult
act to follow! He will be missed.

Seasonal greetings!

Ian

Ian Rathbone
Chair, MUG

-----Original Message-----
From: millfields-owner@... [mailto:millfields-owner@...] On Behalf Of David White
Sent: 17 December 2010 16:18
To: millfields-owner@...
Cc: millfields@...; Michael Shore; info@...
Subject: Re: [millfields] Millfields Park North mugging warning from Police

Hi Tim,
I have checked with Sgt Mark Wrathall about the "warning" about muggings on Millfields.
This is his reply:

David

We haven't issued any warnings regarding the park. We also have not distributed any leaflets in relation to robbery offences in any specific area. The only other crime prevention leaflets distributed at this time are those such as home safety guides, Immobilise cards etc. which are available at our advertised police surgeries where members of the team are available to local residents and other community members. Advice and leaflets available would include advice around personal property etc. and includes basic crime prevention advice.

Hope this answers and questions you have

Regards

Mark

Mark Wrathall| PS69GD| Leabridge SNT | Hackney Borough OCU |
MetPhone 53153 | Telephone 020 8721 2836 | Email mark.wrathall@met.police.uk |
Address North East Neighbourhood Office, Stoke Newington Police Station, 33 Stoke Newington High Road, London, N16 8DS.

 

D a v i d   W h i t e
f i n e . a r t i s t @ b t i n t e r n e t . c o m

(Sec. B&C TRA, Sec. Clapton Panel)
22 Beecholme. E5 9NS

Ph/fax: 0208 806 3731
Mobile: 07794 195 444
SKYPE: 0207 119 3773 (davidandseb)


NEW single page portfolio

Local News & TRA website

Linkedin

---

From: Tim Evans <lists@...>
To: millfields@...
Sent: Sunday, 12 December, 2010 23:23:36
Subject: [millfields] Millfields Park North mugging warning from Police

 

Millfields Park North mugging warning from Police

Police are warning residents who use Millfields Park North especially
at night time as a short cut, to be aware of their surroundings after
a rash of muggings and attempted muggings, with threats of extreme violence.

Leabridge Safer Neighbourhoods Team are in the process of
distributing leaflets all across North Hackney, informing residents
and giving tips.

A police spokesperson said "the incidents were occurring during the
earlier part of the evening, usually once it gets dark" but warn that
people should be aware at all times especially in the dark.

News of the muggings began to surface online last week after a local
blog, Millfields Park, posted a warning from a reader:

"I thought you might want to mention on your blog that a mugger seems
to be targeting people cutting through the park at night from the bus
stops on Lea Bridge Road and heading to Harry Zeital Way. My partner
was mugged and threatened with being stabbed last night close to the
new towpath, the Police seemed to suggest it wasn't the first of late."

(Thanks to hackney hive and millfields park blog)
http://www.hackneyhive.co.uk/index/2010/12/millfields-park-north-mugging-warning-from-police/
http://millfieldspark.blogspot.com/2010/12/mugging-on-north-millfields.html

Hackney Council may exercise its right to intercept any communication, the only exception to this would be confidential survey data, with any employee or agent of the Council using its telephony or data networks.

By using these networks you give your consent to Hackney Council monitoring and recording your communication.

If you have received this e-mail in error please delete it immediately and contact the sender.

For further information about Hackney Council policies please contact Hackney Service Centre on: 020 8356 3000

Click here to report this email as spam.

Hackney Council may exercise its right to intercept any communication, the only exception to this would be confidential survey data, with any employee or agent of the Council using its telephony or data networks.

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If you have received this e-mail in error please delete it immediately and contact the sender.For further information about Hackney Council policies please contact Hackney Service Centre on: 020 8356 3000

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Waltham Forest council is about to go ahead with tower blocks on
Essex Wharf which will overshadow north Millfields and destroy its
visual connection with the rest of the Lea Valley Park. We need
people in the Waltham Forest council chamber on Tuesday evening to
show the strength of opposition. Please come if you can. This is why ....

======================

The New Lammas Lands Defence Committee, Lea Valley Federation and
Millfields Users Group are calling URGENTLY for all environmentally
concerned people (in Hackney and Waltham Forest particularly) to come
and SUPPORT US at Waltham Forest TOWN HALL at 7.00pm on TUESDAY 4th
January at the Councils Planning Committee Meeting.  We need YOUR
help to stop four massive and ugly tower blocks being built right on
the riverbank of the Lea on Leyton Marshes at Essex Wharf (beside the
Lea Bridge, at Leabridge Road, Clapton E5).

This is probably the worst threat to Leyton Marshes since the Leyton
"Relief" Road over ten years ago.  We need as many people as possible
to come to the meeting and pack the Council Chamber out to show the
strength of our objections to high-rise building - particularly when
the site is on open land within the Lee Valley Regional Park beside
the River Lea and our support for keeping the Leyton and Walthamstow
Marshes as pleasant, green semi-rural open space for recreation and
nature conservation.

We are NOT planning any form of demonstration on the Town Hall steps,
but we DO want as many people as possible to turn up at 7.00pm to be
in the Council Chamber at the start of the meeting at 7.30pm.  As it
is a very major development, the Essex and Eastwood Wharf application
(by developers Sherrygreen, although they are using the names of
subsidiaries) is the first item on the Agenda, so we will not be
hanging around all night.

The Planning Committee (seven Councillors) will be asked to decide
whether to grant Planning Permission for a development of FOUR
MASSIVE HIGH-RISE RESIDENTIAL TOWER BLOCKS within the Lee Valley
Regional Park.  The Regional Park Authority is - unsurprisingly -
opposing the plan, as is the Borough of Hackney (whose Planning
Committee unanimously voted to object).

Essex Wharf is surrounded by green open space - including an
immediately adjacent waterfowl breeding area in an oxbow of the river
- and it is very close to two Nature Reserves: Walthamstow Marshes
and the Essex Filter Beds bird sanctuary.  Across the river is the
open parkland of Mill Fields.  The site is entirely within and
entirely surrounded by the Lee Valley Regional Park, which is
Metropolitan Open Land.

There is currently no residential housing whatsoever along the River
Lea in the borough of Waltham Forest, and the site was until a few
weeks ago in commercial use as a wharf on the River.  There is no
housing anywhere else within Leyton Marshes.  If allowed to go ahead,
this development would lead to the complete loss of Leyton Marshes as
an entity and would set a dangerous precedent for more high-rise
high-density tower blocks all along Lea Bridge Road, starting with
the Thames Water site between the Essex and Middlesex Filter Beds
Nature Reserves to the south of Lea Bridge Road.

The Planning Application will be determined by just SEVEN
Councillors, none of whom live in or represent Lea Bridge Ward.  They
probably do not know anything about the area, and it is unlikely any
of them have ever been onto the Marshes.  The Boroughs Planning
Control Officers are recommending that the proposal should be
approved.  We need the Councillors to vote AGAINST the
recommendation, and turn the application down.

Three members of the public - including the Chief Planning Officer of
the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority - will have 3 minutes each to
state the objectors case.  The Boroughs Planning Control Department
and the Applicant will have as long as they like.

It is going to be very difficult to get the arguments against across
in any detail.  Therefore, our best hope of influencing the
Councillors decision is to have as many supporters as possible in the
Council Chamber - the more people we can get, the more likely it is
that we can get the recommendation overturned and permission refused.

Waltham Forest Town Hall is on Forest Road, Walthamstow, between Hoe
Street and Wood Street.  Only two bus routes go past it - the 123 and
275 - but it is a short walk from the Bell Corner which is served by
about ten routes, including the 97, 69, 34, all of which serve
Walthamstow Central Bus Station, beside the railway station (BR
Liverpool Street to Chingford line and Victoria line tube).
Map: http://tinyurl.com/wftownhall

Please do come along and show your opposition to this appalling
scheme and the recommendation to accept it.  Please let others know
about it and ask them to come along as well.  Please network this
message out to any groups you know who may be able to help - all that
is needed is for as many people to come and sit in the Council
Chamber while the application is debated and voted on.

We MUST show that we care about our green open spaces, and that we
are opposed to high-rise high density building anywhere there is a
space that developers think they can move in and make a fast buck.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Background on Essex Wharf and the Developer's Tactics

This area (historically Essex and Eastwood Wharf) was the site of an
ancient ferry crossing, before Lea Bridge Road was built, and until
1994 was historically in the Borough of Hackney.  It therefore
appears in the Waltham Forest Unitary Development Plan as whitefield
land, in other words there is no designated or proposed use for the
site.  The only legal document relating to it is that produced some
time ago by the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, which envisages a
use for the site for river-based sport and recreational use.

There have been two previous applications for high-rise high density
housing on this site, both of which have been rejected by Waltham
Forests Planning Control Department under Delegated Powers. The first
was the subject of an Appeal to the Planning Inspectorate by the
would-be developers, and their Appeal was lost.  a second Planning
Application was also rejected by Waltham Forests Planning Control
Department under Delegated Powers and is also the subject of an
Appeal to the Planning Inspectorate, which we would fully expect also
to be lost.

Unfortunately, this third Planning Application is now being brought
to the Councils Planning Committee - and deliberately so before the
Appeal on the second (refused) application can be heard.

The site is entirely within and surrounded by green open land in the
Lee Valley Regional Park, a 20-mile long green wedge of open land
stretching along the Lea Valley from the Thames to the open
countryside of Essex and southern Hertfordshire. The Park was
established in 1967, as a smaller version of a National Park, to
safeguard the Lea Valley as green, open space in the same way as the
Green Belt was designated to control the urban sprawl of London into
the  surrounding countryside. To build any structure here which is
not related to public recreation or wildlife conservation would be a
travesty and would detract entirely from the purpose of the Lee
Valley Regional Park.

At last, another chance to have fun mucking about in the Millfields
community orchard! We'll be doing an orchard care session on Sunday
16 Jan. Start at 11 am and carry on as long as we feel like it,
weather permits, or there is stuff to do. No experience or skills
needed. Kids welcome. Wear (& dress 'em in) clothes to get mucky in
and footwear for long wet grass. Don't forget wet soil can be cold on
small hands.

Tools and gloves provided (also rain shelter) but you could probably
help by bringing any of the following:
- wheelbarrow (please let me know in advance to save us bringing them)
- shovel
- garden spade, fork, trowel, handfork, weeder
- secateurs / pruning saw (if good and sharp)

You may fancy bringing snack & thermos.

Things we hope to do, depending on turn-out, weather, energy etc:

- Replace a few trees that have died (2 didn't take originally but
have been hard to replace exactly, the others got diseased last summer)
- Weed, especially grass, to reduce competition for moisture & nutrients
- Mulch with wood chip to suppress grass & retain moisture
- Adjust guards to allow for growth
- Learn a bit about pruning fruit trees (if not too cold for standing
still to listen!)

Hope to see old & new faces for a cheerful start to the orchard year.

Tim
020 8986 34546

========================

Millfields User Group Annual General Meeting
February 10
7.30pm
Beecholme Community Hall, Prout Road E5
More details to follow

========================

The development application for Essex Wharf was passed by Waltham
Forest planning committee last Tuesday. The 4 Labour members of the
committee voted it through after a notably one-sided summing-up by
the Labour chair and despite well-argued objections (and pre-meeting
briefings sent to councillors) which showed how it overrides both the
council's declared policies and the role of the regional park. The
scheme comprises 4 blocks of up to 7 storeys.

But the fight may not be over. The Lea Valley Regional Park Authority
has told the local press that it will refer the matter to the
Secretary of State. They can do this under the Lee Valley Regional
Park Act 1967 which set the Regional Park up, as the development is
completely within the Regional Park (which includes Millfields).
Credit goes to the Lea Valley Federation which has put pressure on
the park authority to do its job. More on this when we know what's happening.

Meanwhile a Planning Inquiry is set to open on Tuesday 18th January
into the appeal by developers against refusal of an earlier
application. This was for even higher and uglier buildings, up to 10
storeys in height in the same location. There is a risk that this
appeal may succeed now that the smaller blocks have been
approved.  It is public, at LBWF Town Hall, and will probably run on
Tues-Thurs both weeks, including site visits.

For the application history and many of the documents, see the LVF page:
http://tinyurl.com/essexwharf

Despite the bad decision, it was heartening to see such a good
showing from MUG and our allies. The town hall lobby was packed, and
all the council chamber's 60+ public seats were taken, with a full
gallery. Congratulations to everyone who turned up, and thanks as
well to those who couldn't come but sent messages of support.

The CUT– Oral History Project

The Cut - Screening and workshop

Collecting stories of the River Lea Navigation
Canal between Hackney Wick to Old Ford Lock

Saturday 22nd January 11am - 2pm
Hackney Museum, 1 Reading Lane, E8 1GQ

Refreshments served
Free to attend
All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

What can you tell us about the canal? What do you
remember? Come and meet Chris Dorley Brown,
Jessie Brennan and Daniel Lehan who are creating new artworks about the canal.

The event starts with a film screening which
includes rare footage of Cliff Richard and The
Shadows’ visit to Hackney Wick in the 1960s, plus
scenes from Lesney Toy Factory, Hackney’s first
computer pub, Kingsmead Estate and the Trowbridge blowdown. 11am to 11.45am.

Then join the artists to add your stories and
contribute to the creation of a physical map of Hackney Wick, 12 – 2pm

The Cut is an oral history project led by artists and produced by SPACE

Three artists and a team of local volunteers are
exploring the Hackney Cut, or Lea River
Navigation Canal, and the industrial, physical
and social history of Hackney Wick. By collecting
stories (up to the present day) from the people
who work and live alongside the canal the project
will document the importance of The Cut to the
community in an area undergoing huge change.

Venue: Hackney Museum, 1 Reading Lane, E8 1GQ

Please contact:  Fiona Fieber
<mailto:fifi@...>fifi@...,
0208 525 4347, www.spacestudios.org.uk


Ian Rathbone

Contact: 07890 654 068



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Can you please let me know if you're interested in standing for the
committee, including existing committee members. This helps us to know
if we need to prepare and make time in the meeting for an election.
There are 12 places vacant. People can also turn up on the night and
stand if they so wish.)

This is an AGM so it's only AGM business to be discussed, and not like
the usual general meeting where current park developments are discussed
at some length. We also have to give ourselves enough time for the
discussion on biodiversity with the guest speaker, which should be at
least three quarters of an hour.

Thanks

Ian

Ian Rathbone
Contact: 07890 654 068
ian.rathbone@...




MILLFIELDS USERS' GROUP
Agenda for the Annual General Meeting
7.30 to 9.00pm Thursday 10 February 2011,
at Nye Bevan Community Hall, Overbury Road E5 0AH

1 ATTENDANCE AND WELCOME

	 In Attendance: Bruce Irving (Parks Development Officer); Bilquis
Mahmood (National Grid)

2 APOLOGIES

3 MINUTES  of  Annual General Meeting on 4 February 2010

4 THE PAST YEAR

5 FINANCE REPORT 2010/11

6 CHANGE OF NAME TO 'FRIENDS OF MILLFIELDS'

7 ELECTION OF COMMITTEE

8 PRESENTATION: How wild is the life in Millfields Park?

	 Discussion led by Hackney Council's Biodiversity Officer

9 FUTURE USER GROUP MEETINGS

	 Proposed:

	 Saturday 7 May 2011 at 10.00 am;
	 Thursday 28 July 2011 at 7.30 pm;
	 Saturday 29 October 2011 at 10.00 am
	 Thursday 9 February 2012 at 7.30 pm (AGM)

10 ANY OTHER BUSINESS To be notified to the Chair by the start of
the meeting

Hello everyone,

The AGM on Thursday elected a new committee:

Andrea Sinclair
Barry Buitekant
Bob Benge (chair)
Claire Kelly (treasurer)
Diane Bernhardt
Emma Jack
Harry Hewat
Jon Aldenton (vice chair)
Michael Row
Ruth Smyth
Tim Evans (secretary)
Vivienne Foxley

The committee met briefly after the AGM to elect officers (as above)
and set the first meeting date.

We have 5 new members and a new chair, secretary & vicechair, so we
are getting on with some basic arrangements & familiarisation.

We are still Millfields Users Group, as the motion to change the name was lost.

We are starting a blog, mainly to provide a place where everyone can
discuss MUG matters:
http://millfieldsusers.blogspot.com
It's planned to have all these messages there for discussion, plus
other stuff. Please come & join in. Ideas & energy are always welcome
& if you have photos you'd like to share, please let us have them.

Michael Murnane is continuing to blog about Millfields, and James
Cherkoff's facebook group continues -- see below for links to both.

To contact the committee, email secretary@...; 020 8986 3456.

More soon.

Best wishes

Tim Evans
Secretary
for the MUG Committee

We've had an update from Hackney Parks about
which projects from the master plan they are
working on; also about the money paid to LBH by
National Grid for occupying the park.

To summarise, they are pursuing:
1) refurbishing the northern play area, with Section 106 funds
2) a path connecting the Black Path to the Cow Bridge path

LBH assures us that the National Grid 'rent' is
ring-fenced for Millfields park projects. It is
£34k a year for 7 years, from October 2007 to 2014. There's about £120k now.

Full text is on the blog:
http://millfieldsusers.blogspot.com/2011/02/project-priorities-and-national-grid\
.html

Also on the blog:
Daffodil Defender
http://millfieldsusers.blogspot.com/2011/02/daffodil-defender.html

The park has been offered 3 youngish fruit/nut trees by Beecholme
Estate Allotments, who need to shift them to build a greenhouse. We
need some hands to dig them up and re-plant them on Sunday morning.
It's a big job on your own, but an easy one if shared. No previous
experience necessary!

If you don't feel like digging, come anyway for the crack. Diggers
love company & tactful encouragement. And you can see how tree
planting is done -- learn all about mulching and how they get those
tree stakes into the ground (it's not with a mallet).

Meet Sunday 10.30 at the Rangers Depot, on Chatsworth Road between
the tennis courts and Magnet, to help carry equipment over to the north side.
Map here.
http://tinyurl.com/mfrangers
Or come along later. I hope we'll be at the site around 11 and we'll
see how long it takes / we can keep going.
Map here:
http://tinyurl.com/mug-beecholme

Wear gardening-suitable clothes & footwear (if digging), and feel
free to bring your favourite fork or spade. The forecast is for a
shower, but they ain't saying when, so jacket/brolly advisable. And
if you've got an old cycle inner-tube you don't need, bring it --
it'll come in handy as a tree tie.

If you're sure you'll be there, let me know -- it's morale-boosting &
helps me plan. Otherwise just turn up. Hope to see old & new tree
friends & have a bit of fruitful fun.

Tim
(swapping sec'y hat for tree-person hat)

On Monday we'll be submitting MUG's comments on
LBH's proposed new Parks Events Policy. If you
have thoughts please do let me have them by the
end of Sunday. The draft policy can be downloaded here:
http://www.hackney.gov.uk/park-events-consultation.asp

The policy would allow more and bigger events in
the park. Income from events will go to LBH funds
up to an annual target; any surplus goes to the
park.The user group will be charged £50 for an
event with more than 250 attending.

More on the blog, where you can also comment.
Sorry for the short notice: we'll do better next time.
http://millfieldsusers.blogspot.com/

==========================================

The Parks Forum AGM is on Monday 7 March at 7 pm in the Town Hall.

In addition to committee elections (all
nominations will be gratefully received), there
will be question time with John Wade and Sam
Parry. How has your park's year been? Please
bring ideas for a subsequent discussion about how
user groups can support each other even better in
the future, in light of Parks cuts.

The minutes of the December meeting are attached,
and all user group members are very welcome.

The forum can be contacted at hackneyparksforum@....

===========================================

Sorry to bombard you with emails. I feel it's important that park
users understand the changes that LBH is proposing for events in
Millfields, and give the mug committee a mandate. I've put up
proposed objections and my working notes on the log. I'd really
appreciate views, especially on the 4 objections proposed, which are
quick to read.

http://millfieldsusers.blogspot.com/2011/02/parks-events-policy-proposals-propos\
ed.html

I've also put a copy of the LBH proposals in the millfieldsusers
document dump, which I hope is easier to get at:
http://millfieldsusers.org.uk/

I'll put the final version together on Monday afternoon -- the
submission deadline is 5pm.

Tim

(we had a good session at the tree planting, I'm looking forward to
working on a posting about that rather than this!)

We have one more tree (a cherry) to move from Beecholme allotments
into the park. Sunday (tomorrow) 11 am (ish) at the allotments on the
west edge of north Millfields, here:
<http://tinyurl.com/mug-beecholme>http://tinyurl.com/mug-beecholme
Here's how we got on with the first three
http://millfieldsusers.blogspot.com/2011/02/successful-transplant.html
http://beecholme.blogspot.com/2011/02/fruit-trees-donated-to-millfields-park.htm\
l

Forecast is sunny intervals. Do drop by, to dig or to chat.

The new committee had its first meeting on Monday
evening and minutes are attached. Here are some
of the main items, plus other park news. More shortly - there's a lot going on.

==============================================

LEE VALLEY PARK - WHAT'S THE PLAN?

We currently have a crucial chance to influence
the future of our part of the Lee Valley Park.
The Park Authority (LVRPA) has published
proposals for its Park Plan which will set the
agenda for the next 10­15 years. The Lea Valley
Federation, a coalition of local groups which MUG
is part of, is organising a broad public response.

Please come to a public meeting about the
proposals and LVF's ideas, at the Round Chapel
School Rooms on Tuesday 15th March at 7.30 pm.

Millfields is officially part of the Regional
Park, under the act of parliament which set it
up, and though it's not managed by the park
authority, what happens just across the river is
important for our park. LVF has done a great job
gingering up the park authority to do its job
properly, so please do come, find out what's going on, and lend your voice.

More at www.leavalleyfederation.org, and watch
out for LVF's leaflet ‘Lower Lea Marshes’ which will be in local cafe's etc.

==============================================

PLAYGROUNDS

LBH is offering to improve play provision, which
was one of the top items in MUG's master plan
wish list. The committee feels that the priority
should be to provide for older children, 8-13,
who currently 'colonise' the younger children's
playground. Claire Kelly is leading a working
group and if you would like to be involved please let us know.

==============================================

BIODIVERSITY

We're aiming to have a public meeting in early
April which will look at draft proposals. We'll
get the draft to you asap: Kate Mitchell (LBH
biodiversity officer) is redrafting for us at the
moment. For some inspiring work by our neighbours at Mabley Green, see:
http://mableymeadow.blogspot.com/2011/02/new-wing-for-beetle-mansions.html

==============================================

NEW ON THE BLOG

I've adjusted the settings so you don't have to
register to make a comment. Do let me know if you
find it hard to use - I'm still exploring what it can do.

Bark and Bite - who to call if you see a chewed
up tree - any ideas about tackling this problem?
http://millfieldsusers.blogspot.com/2011/02/bark-and-bite.html
A Successful Transplant - how we moved the Beecholme fruit trees into the park
http://millfieldsusers.blogspot.com/2011/02/successful-transplant.html
Parks Events Policy proposals: what MUG submitted
http://millfieldsusers.blogspot.com/2011/02/parks-events-policy-proposals-what-m\
ug.html

ESSEX WHARF: DEVELOPERS LOSE ROUND 2

A planning inspector has turned down the appeal on the second
application to build on Essex Wharf. This means the worse of the 2
schemes still in play (the 2nd & 3rd applications) has been rejected.
Waltham Forest council accepted the next, 3rd, application and the
last line of defence there is the LVRPA reference to the sec of state.
More here:
http://millfieldsusers.blogspot.com/2011/03/essex-wharf-developers-lose-round-2.\
html
_____________________________________________________________________

OPEN UP THE LOWER LEA MARSHES

Don't forget the Lea Valley Federation public meeting on Tuesday,
7.30 at the Round Chapel schoolroom.

Meanwhile you can see the park authority's proposals this Friday (11
March, 2-7.30) and Saturday (12th, 10-2) at the Waterworks Centre.
(If you want a more pleasant walk than the Lea Bridge Road, use the
back entrance which is a turn off the path just north/west of Friends Bridge.)

More here:
http://millfieldsusers.blogspot.com/2011/03/open-up-lower-lea-marshes.html

______________________________________________________________________

JUSTICE IN THE GREEN EXHIBITION

Over the past few years our friends from UCL Development Planning
Unit have been getting MSc students to study the use, and other
aspects, of Millfields and the marshes. They are about to launch a
new website based around an online interactive map, and you can meet
them and see their work this Saturday (12th March) at Homerton
Library. It says here "between 10am and 5pm (exact timings TBC)"
www.justiceinthegreen.org.uk
www.mappingforchange.org.uk

We've organised the next Millfields Users Group meeting for the
evening of Mon 11 April, probably 7.30 at the Nye Bevan Tenants Hall.

We hope the group will discuss the biodiversity proposals, postponed
from the AGM because the speaker was ill and the meeting over-ran.
The survey is on the LBH website (if you can't download it please let
me know, secretary@...):
http://www.hackney.gov.uk/Assets/Documents/bioiversity-recommendations.pdf
The implementation proposals are being redrafted and I'll post them
as soon as I have them.

There are a couple of other matters on the horizon which I'll write
up for you and circulate as soon as I can.

If there is something you'd like the group to discuss, please post a
comment at the blog:
http://millfieldsusers.blogspot.com/2011/03/group-meeting-mon-11-april.html
(You can also email secretary@..., and I'll post your
email on the blog, but it's quicker if you do it yourself.)

More soon, but we just wanted to get this in your diary.

BRIDGE CLOSURE AND UPGRADE

The walkway underneath Lea Bridge Road will be closed this coming
Monday 28th March for 6 weeks so that British Waterways can replace
it. British Waterways will be putting up signage advising pedestrians
to use the nearest safe crossings further up and down Lea Bridge Road.

The new walkway will be wider and have LED lighting in the handrails
to illuminate underneath the bridge, facing downwards so as not to deter bats.

Problems:
BW 020 7985 7200.
Ben Kennedy, LBH Senior Transport Planner 020 8356 8023
Please cc MUG <secretary@...> (& involve us if it's helpful)

=========================================================

ESSEX  WHARF: ERIC PICKLES TURNS HIS BACK

You'll remember that after LB Waltham Forest passed the third
development proposal for Essex Wharf in January, the Lee Valley park
authority tried to force a public enquiry. The mechanism for this is
to ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
(Eric Pickles) to call the application in.

We've now heard that the Department for Communities and Local
Government have decided not to call the application in.

The Decision and covering letter are on the LVF website, with a press
release from the Lea Valley Federation and a statement from Leabridge
Ward Councillors.
http://www.leavalleyfederation.org/

We look forward to seeing you on Monday evening, 11 April, at the
Millfields User Group meeting, 7 for 7.30 at the Nye Bevan Community
Hall, Overbury St E5 OAH. (map: http://tinyurl.com/nyebevanhall )

We'll be focusing on biodiversity (ie wildlife & habitats) in the
park, and the proposals to manage parts of the park to improve
habitat & increase its inhabitants. The park is already a designated
Site of Interest for Nature Conservation (SINC), with lots of
interesting resources and possibilities. We hope to continue building
a group of park users who are thoroughly involved in understanding
this aspect of the park, planning its management and doing practical work.

There will be tea from 7 pm, with a bit of a display to get us
thinking & talking. If you have photos or observations of wildlife in
the park, please do bring them along to add to the display.

We'll start the meeting prompt at 7.30. There will be a bit of
procedural business to do, as the group has a backlog of minutes to
approve, but we hope that we can spend almost all the evening on this
very exciting topic.

A poster is attached. We hope you can print and display in it your
window, a shop, school, etc.

The two background documents on biodiversity can be seen at:
http://millfieldsusers.blogspot.com/p/plans.html
They are:
=> The initial habitat survey by the London Wildlife Trust. The
subtitle 'management plan 2010-15' is misleading because we have
already moved on from its proposals.
=> The current version of the implementation proposals.

I'm sorry, I forgot to attach the poster. You can find it here:

http://tinyurl.com/mugbiodposter

(As always, please let me know if you can't use this link; I've done
the obvious tests.)

Tim