News

The Children’s Fun Run 2021

by pinner_adm_8354, posted in Events, Parkrun

It was so pleasing to see everyone this morning for our inaugural Children’s Fun Run to support the foundation of the Pinner Junior Parkrun. We had a huge number of attendees, who were all just as excited as we were to see everyone out and enjoying the park.

For those who took part, please download your participation certificate from here: https://www.pinnervillagegardens.org.uk/fun-run-certificate/

We were even lucky with the weather, as there were only a few spots of rain as the runners set off around the two-kilometre course. A huge thank you to everyone who attended, as well as the ongoing support of running club Metros and the Pinner Rotary Club who lent us the equipment to put on today’s event.

It was also great to hear feedback from parents who were keen for us to start up the Junior Parkrun so that we can do this every Sunday. We are thankful for their donations at the event, and a few suggested that we put out a donation link. So if you’d like to donate to the efforts to bring a Parkrun to Pinner Village Gardens, then you can do so via PayPal with this button:


The Difference 45 Years Makes

by pinner_adm_8354, posted in Projects

With thanks to the Facebook Group “Harrow – Old Views“, we recently discovered a photograph of the rose circle near the Whittington Way entrance which was taken in 1976. This is the only photograph we have of the old Elm Trees that used to stand in Pinner Village Gardens, as they were removed the following year because of Dutch Elm Disease.

Another thing to note is the absence of Compton Copse, which was subsequently added to the western edge of the ridge and furrow field. With modern technology, you can directly compare the photograph below, with that of the park at the moment. Simply use the scroller on the image from left to right to take a look at the differences in the park across more than four decades.

Pinner Village Gardens Mural Completed

by pinner_adm_8354, posted in Projects

We’re pleased to announce the completion of our new mural in Pinner Village Gardens by local artist Sarah, who had previously created several variants on a similar theme that members of Friends of Pinner Village Gardens were able to vote upon last year.

Incorporating the existing ivy to frame the work, the mural uses an Art Deco style font, in keeping with the 1930’s origins of the park. It is located to the right of the path as you enter the park from the entrance on the corner of Marsh Road/Rayners Lane.

FoPVG 2022 Calendars Now On Sale

by pinner_adm_8354, posted in Calendar

We are pleased to announce that the Friends of Pinner Village Gardens 2022 Calendars are now on sale. This is the first time we’ve organised anything like this, and it has only been possible with the help of our members and the followers of our Facebook Group as they both kindly donated images to be considered for inclusion, and also helped to choose the images from a shortlist.

The calendar features 12 photographs taken within our lovely park throughout the changing seasons. The calendar itself is an A4 wall calendar, with each month on its own page.

They are available to buy from our new online store here: https://www.pinnervillagegardens.org.uk/shop/

The calendars are currently available for collection only, and we’ll be in touch with you once you’ve placed your order to arrange a suitable time and place. If you live within a close vicinity of the park, then we may be able to arrange for a volunteer to hand deliver your order.

New Committee Elected

by pinner_adm_8354, posted in Committee

The Friends of Pinner Village Garden Annual General Meeting for 2021 was held last night, on 14 June. As part of this yearly meeting, the FoPVG Committee is elected for the forthcoming year.

This year’s election was also a little different, as two new posts on the committee were created to reflect specific a greater focus on fundraising and ensuring that the the landscapes in the park are recognised and protected.

The following members were elected to the Committee:

Antonia Savvides – Chair
Brian Chapman – Secretary
Stephen Spiro – Treasurer
Sarah Brook – Events Coordinator
Glyn Watkins –  Funding Coordinator
Simon Braidman –  Environmental and Education Advisor
Jackie Lindop –  Committee Member 1
Helen Ryan –  Committee Member 2
Natalia Kuznetsova –  Landscape Advisor

The posts of Volunteer Coordinator, Communications Lead, and Junior Ambassador were left vacant on the night with no one standing for them.

Upcoming FoPVG Annual General Meeting

by pinner_adm_8354, posted in Committee

The Friends of Pinner Village Garden’s 2021 Annual General Meeting is set to take place over Zoom on 14th June. Papers were sent out to all members this past Monday.

At the meeting, we will give updates to the work taken place in the park over the last two years, along with a financial update and the current membership status. We will discuss the current five year plan for the park, and hold the election for the committee members.

While all posts are up for re-election, we would like to highlight the following vacancies should you think that you could help improve the park through one of these posts and would like to stand:

Communications Lead
Manage FoPVG Facebook, website, Twitter, and newsletter. Manage communications with outside media sources.

Volunteer Coordinator (50% of role as part of a job share agreement)
To support, advise and encourage current members. Organising work parties/ liaising with /recruiting new volunteers. Record volunteer hours /report this to Chair. Must be available to attend events and recruit new members.

Junior Ambassador
Support/encourage/ recruit younger members

Should you wish to stand for these or any other roles on the committee, you will need to be a member first. To sign up, please go to our Become a Member page for further information.

If you’d like any further information about these, any other roles, volunteering in general or the AGM process, then please do Contact Us.

Can the Pinner Local Community Bring a Junior Parkrun to Pinner Village Gardens?

by pinner_adm_8354, posted in Parkrun

The Friends of Pinner Village Gardens, local running club Metros and members of the local community are keen to establish a Pinner junior parkrun within Pinner Village Gardens.


Junior parkrun is a free 2km event for children between the ages of 4 and 14 of all running standards, which will take place every Sunday at 9:00am in Pinner Village Gardens.

https://support.parkrun.com/hc/en-us/sections/200715182-junior-parkrun

Junior parkrun offers an opportunity for all the family to get involved and come together on a regular basis to help improve their health and fitness whilst enjoying the sights and sounds of this beautiful park. Everyone can jog, run, skip or walk together irrespective of their ability – this event is truly open to all, and best of all, it really is free for participants! The organising team is working hard to achieve the various goals needed to bring the junior parkrun to Pinner.One of the main challenges to starting a junior parkrun is obtaining the £4,000 funding for the start-up fee which is essentially the purchase of a perpetual license to operate parkrun. This will include the provision of essential equipment needed to operate the parkrun (license, insurance, signage, etc.)  as well as an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

The team are investigating several avenues to gain funding and the Friends of Pinner Village Gardens are eager to make a donation towards the effort.
If any of our members or the broader community wish to make a contribution towards establishing the junior parkrun, you can do so by electronic fund transfer using reference: Pinner parkrun

·          bank – Co-operative
·          account name – FRIENDS OF PINNER VILLAGE GARDENS
·          sort code – 08-92-99
·          account number – 65792256

In addition, the FoPVG and colleagues at Nower Hill School, are hoping to organise a sponsored 2km event on Sunday 25th July. More information on that in the near future.

If anyone would like further information on the junior parkrun or are interested in occasional volunteering, please contact:

Glyn Watkins – glynwatkins11@gmail.com

Emma Rackham – emma.rackham@parkrun.com

Our Upcoming Summer Event

by pinner_adm_8354, posted in Events

The Friends of Pinner Village Gardens are pleased to annouce that we are hosting a summer family event on Sunday 27th June, between 11am and 3pm. This will be held next to the climbing rock in the middle of the park; details have been added to our events calendar.

There will be a plant sale, nature activities for children and families, and we are pleased to announce that our 2022 FoPVG calendar will go on sale on the day. Members of the FoPVG Committee will be in attendance and ready to answer all your questions about upcoming projects and plans for the park.

We are also delighted to have local women’s signing group Capital Connection who will be singing from 12pm and looking for new people to join their fabulous group.