Penge Green Gym Newsletter December 2019

Penge Green Gym Newsletter Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all the volunteers at Winsford Gardens 2019 has turned out to be a very exciting year for Penge Green Gym at Winsford Gardens.  We have continued to attract new volunteers whilst keeping a strong foundation of 'old hands'.   Amongst our achievements we were honoured with a Queen's Awards for Voluntary Service 2019 and our volunteer Thomasz was named 'Volunteer of the year' by Green Flag Awards.  We also received an award from Penge In Bloom and would like to thank our friends in Penge for their support.     As conservation volunteers, we continue to be committed to improving the park for all the local residents and our aim is always to improve the environment for wildlife and plantlife who make the park their home. We are looking forward to all the exciting projects we are planning in 2020 and hope to see you all next year.

Hedges and Hurdles - hurdle making film

Future of UK Public Parks FINAL ANIMATION

Mayfair property developers fence off Croydon Play Space and Garden

From Croydon and Sutton Guardian
https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/18024864.south-norwood-residents-outraged-metal-fence-erected-community-garden/


From Inside Croydon
https://insidecroydon.com/2019/10/31/mayfair-property-developers-fence-off-woodside-play-space/?

Greedy property developers, who are trying to bully a group of neighbours off the community gardens they have created in South Norwood, have erected a six-foot fence around a children’s play area in Love Lane without seeking any planning permission.......

Sign the Petition to Save Love Lane Green for the Community

http://chng.it/rfW7BR8YV6

Penge Green Gym picks up National Conservation Award

Penge Green Gym picks up National Conservation Award

Article published in The Bromley Times from TCV press release.

The Penge Green Gym runs outdoor gardening events so residents can keep fit in a different way, and preserve the environment.

Now the team of volunteers have received special recognition at a national event organised by The Conservation Volunteers, or TCV.

The "gym" is run as a community conservation group and has won the Special Recognition Awards at TCV's 60th Anniversary Hero Awards.
Keith Rodwell and Anne Gibney received the award at City Hall in London on Wednesday, October 23.

TCV runs green gyms around the UK and its managing director Craig Lister said this award for Penge was a surprise for its recipients.

The group, supported by intu Bromley and London Borough of Bromley, was created to gather local volunteers with the common aim to transform Winsford Gardens, a hidden green space which previously only attracted anti-social behaviour.

Penge Green Gym became independent in 2013 and is run be a locally based and fully constituted community group.

TCV spokesman Amy Brighton said: "This is an outdoor fitness working in conservation for your health.

"Green gyms are fun and free outdoor sessions where users are guided in practical activities such as planting trees, sowing meadows and establishing wildlife ponds.

"The emphasis is very much on health and fitness - volunteers warm up and cool down in preparation for a range of light to vigorous activities to suit all abilities.

"In fact, almost a third more calories can be burnt in some Green Gym sessions than in an average aerobics class."

TCV said it developed the Green Gym concept to combat the loss of around a third of the UK's natural assets being lost to development or degraded through neglect, enabling volunteers to protect their local green spaces and to take part in practical activity that benefits both their physical and mental health.

Craig said: "Penge Green Gym has created a truly sustainable community group to look after Winsford Gardens is the result 
of the hard work of many 
local volunteers and we are delighted to celebrate their valuable work.

"You really have transformed the gardens and the community."

TCV Hero Awards, 23rd October 2019, City Hall, London

Two of our #Penge Green Gym volunteers representing us at the #TCVHeroAwards today at City Hall, London and receiving a Special Recognition Award. Congratulations also to the Conservation Volunteers who are celebrating their 60th Birthday.
Also thanks for the Postcode Lottery support.

The role of Nature on mental health & well-being by Dr William Bird - EU...