News and Developments
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Latest News..............
20th November 2014
Great news, at last we can report the refurbishment of the bridge will start in January. Initially the lake will be dammed, and a week later work will start on the bridge, with the project lasting 4 months. Its been a long wait for this upgrade to one of our historic structures, lets hope the weather co-operates and does not spoil the party. 12th November 2014
This morning, despite intermittent heavy rain showers and with the help of Draz, parks maintenance supervisor, his chain saw and Kenny from the parks department. we were able to clear away many trees that had fallen in previous storms. Unfortunately, rain stopped play before we were able to complete the task, but an extra working party will take place next Thursday. The parks department recently supplied us with 50 kg of daffodil bulbs which we have planted at both entrances to Parklands.............look out for a blaze of colour next spring. 
21st September 2014
We now have a nice smooth drive from Park Farm Road to the car park .......no more broken axles ! Many thanks to the Parks Department for this further improvement. 30th July 2014
Today, the working party reached a milestone in our endeavours to tidy up Parklands. There is now a clear(ish) view of the bridge from the Corbets Tey Road entrance. Working in intense heat, but maintaining a stiff upper lip, we dragged several piles of undergrowth and dead trees out of the 'jungle', which alongside more Ivy removal and some gentle coppicing has opened up this area and allows some attractive dappled light in. Huge thanks to everybody who has helped over the last year or so. 
9th July 2014
This mornings working party completed the riverside walk including an interesting obstacle (see illustration) The entrance from Corbets Tey Road is now looking a lot better and the area around the bridge is a lot clearer. We are continuing our struggle through the jungle....Still not unearthed any Japanese POW's !. Parks department have been carrying out tree work around the lake and keeping the grass cut. All in all, it's going terribly well. 
30th June 2014
We are all delighted to see that the Parks Department have planted a number of shrubs at the end of Parkland Avenue, at the entrance to the woodland path leading to the car park at the western end of the lake. They look very attractive now, what a great improvement this will make to the area as they begin to grow and mature. Our thanks to Martin Stanton, Richard Cottam and Nigel Oxley, our friends at Havering Council, and to Kelly, Paul, Dolores and Terry who have agreed to keep the shrubs well watered whilst they are establishing. 
27th May 2014
We have now scheduled the following dates to take us up to the end of the year. See opposite in red text. Please note them in your diaries and calendars to avoid disappointment and self loathing if you miss any of these opportunities to do your bit ! The parks department are hoping to get 4 council staff, with serious tools, along to our June meeting which will make a huge difference to the amount we can progress. Thanks for your help. 7th May 2014
11 friends came along to the working party this morning, 3 of them from Havering's volunteer service and we are very grateful for their help. We are still fighting our way through the undergrowth toward the bridge. To date, we haven't unearthed any Japanese prisoners of war,but who knows what may turn up? The woodland walk along the river made another 50m or so and we are hoping that park users will take advantage of this route thereby establishing a permanent track. Parks department had a big grabber truck on site clearing all the rubbish created over the past few months and we are hoping that this will become a more regular occurrence 
Bert Davis, Jenny Brooks and Gengiz Hilmi......our HAVCO volunteers.
The woodland walk
10th April 2014
Another busy working party this morning, 6 friends and a new volunteer from HAVCO. We are now beginning to see some 'glades' appear in areas which have been cleared and work has started to create a natural woodland walk along the river toward the bridge. 
26th March 2014
Many thanks to the 9 friends who turned up for this morning's working party. We concentrated on the area around the stile at the bottom of the path from the western end of Parkland Avenue. An enormous amount of undergrowth, dead wood, holly and ivy was cleared and the space now looks quite attractive again. 26th February 2014
Good to see that Havering have applied to themselves for planning permission to refurbish the bridge......................Shouldn't be long now. 
24th February 2014
One of our local residents, Len Williams, has been photographing Parklands for 60 years, from 1963 to 2013. His collection, taken in all weather conditions, illustrates the diverse history of the lake and park, including fishing, dredging, tree plating and scenic views. It will, no doubt, resurrect many happy memories. We are very grateful to Len for sharing these images with us. You will find these on the images page of this site. 13th February 2014
This morning, a much reduced group of 3 volunteers continued tackling the scrub and overgrown / dead trees along the stream leading to the bridge. It's surprising how much can be done with so few people, hoping for a full turnout for the two days in March. 
The Ivy vine wouldn't budge, so Annette and Roy used it as a swing.....such fun! 15th January 2014
On a damp and dismal morning today, we had the most working party volunteers ever, with 10 hardy souls pitching themselves against the seriously overgrown entrance area on Corbet's Tey Road. In addition to the pavement which had become very slippery and dangerous, we cleared masses of ivy, bracken and unruly trees. The parks department are looking into planting a range of suitable shrubs at both entrances to Parkland. We are given to understand that the refurbishment of the bridge will now start in April and after a 6 month programme will be completed in October. 
1st December 2013
Five brave volunteers spent a couple of hours on Sunday morning, clearing the entrance to the park at the Eastern end of Parkland Avenue. Several trees were severely cut back, 20 years or so of Ivy, bracken and general undergrowth was cleared and the area is looking ready for the parks department to plant a range of attractive shrubs. 
14th November 2013
Six of our friends (3 men and 3 ladies) turned out for todays working party and successfully cleared the scrub and bracken from the lakeside just past the bridge. This has improved the view greatly and we are grateful for their time. View the photos to the right 24th October 2013
News has just been released regarding the working parties, please read on........ All working parties will be from 10.00am - 12 noon and will meet at the bridge. We have plenty of tools, gloves and eye protectors. The areas of work which we envisage, at present, include tree pruning, bramble and ground clearance, litter picking, ivy removal on established trees and, no doubt, many other tasks. We will be working in all areas of the park, both entrances are important as initial impressions. You may wish to put these dates on your calendar and in your diaries to ensure you don't miss any which you would like to attend. 2013 November Thursday 14th December Sunday 1st 2014 January Wednesday 15th February Thursday 13th March Sunday 9th and Wednesday 26th April Thursday 10th May Wednesday 7th June Thursday 12th 
23rd October 2013
Four of our volunteers attended a training course in the safe use of hand tools this morning, led by Gareth, the Countryside Ranger from Hornchurch Country Park, Havering council have generously supplied a wide range of tools, which will enable us to carry out a programme of clearance and maintenance over the coming months. Our four pioneers put their new found skills to good use and went off to trim one of the large willow trees at the lakeside The working parties schedule will be published within the next few days and we urge you all to come and join us at a suitable time. Some photos of the work are shown alongside! 9th July 2013
Emergency working day held to clear the recently discovered invasive weed in the lake. 3rd July 2013
Confirmation that the railings at the Corbets Tey Road entrance will be painted in the next few weeks. 26th June 2013
Meeting setting off from the old bridge to conduct a brief review of what the regular working days can aim to achieve. 6th June 2013
Nigel Oxley has confirmed the project to reconstruct the Bridge is about to be started. The actual refurbishment is due to take place sometime after Spring 2014 when the necessary funding will have been raised. Prior to this the relevant listed building consents will need to be obtained as well as a survey of bats and water voles having taken place. 6th June 2013
Spencer Gray confirmed that the boggy area was only excess water and with the introduction of a trench and soil channel this area would dry. 15th May 2013
Veolia have agreed to give £18,000 towards getting the Parklands side of the lake drained. |
Working Party Dates
2014 June 12th Thursday July 9th Wednesday July 30th Wednesday *** August 27th Wednesday *** new date September 10th Wednesday September 28th Sunday October 9th Thursday November 12th Wednesday *** November 20th Thursday *** CANCELLED December 11th Thursday Times: 10 am-12 noon meet at the Corbet's Tey Road entrance 
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