Another decent turnout in The Music Room, Spring Grove House courtesy of the good people at West Thames College last Wednesday 4 November 2015. This time for people to share thoughts and experiences of Thornbury Park and to explore the potential of setting up a friends group for the place.
Thornbury Park looking west from near the Rennels Way and Sidmouth Avenue entrance
There were quite a few justified grumbles about the way the park is maintained and managed, litter, graffiti, drinking, motorbike riding, drugs activity as well as lack of other facilities and no organised activities and sports.
But at the same time almost all present had good to say about the place, an oasis of green in a growing town with albeit limited and semi neglected play and sports facilities, a good place to walk with or without a dog.
The most encouraging aspect of the evening was the good and practical ideas offered by residents present, a wish to move forward but not ignoring the present issues. Each was given an opportunity to write three things they like, three don’t likes and three ways they would improve Thornbury Park. A summary of the points can be found here and a full list containing all comments made is here.
Also heartening is a list so far of 11 residents offering their time and skills to form a friends group as is the support, offered and implied, by the St Johns Residents Association, Hounslow Council’s Community Partnerships Unit and Hounslow Central Ward councillors, two of whom, Ajmer and Pritam Grewal were in attendance too. The note taking of Christine Diwell from the Isleworth Society was much appreciated and these (including a discussion on Isleworth Station, the same night) can be found here.
Sign on a housing estate local to Thornbury Park offering advice to youngsters
What’s next then? A report of the meeting will be shared with Hounslow Council, Carillion and the Police and feedback and their comments sought. Residents who signed up their services will be contacted over the next couple of weeks with a view to meet, discuss and plan.
It would also be good to meet, even at this time of the year, for an hour’s walk in Thornbury Park at 10.00 a.m on Saturday 21 November 2015. Rendezvous by the playground near the London Road entrance.
As always happy to hear from anyone, email tony.louki@hounslow.gov.uk
TL 7.11.2015
Tony Louki's Report Back 