A Big Dig and a bigger thank you to parks volunteers and the Mayor of Enfield Cllr Sabri Ozaydin

A Big Dig and a bigger thank you to parks volunteers. Forty Hall volunteers were given a helping hand from the Mayor of Enfield and senior Council officers on Monday (17 May) as a thank you for the huge effort they make to maintain parks and open spaces.Volunteers and the Friends of Forty Hall Park were joined by Mayor of Enfield Cllr Sabri Ozaydin, the Council’s chief executive Mr Ian Davis,  and many other officers from the local authority to help with digging, weeding and maintenance. The socially distanced, COVID-secure Big Dig in the walled garden of Forty Hall was particularly special as it was one of the first public events to take place with Enfield Council since the lockdown imposed at the end of 2020.

The Mayor of Enfield, Cllr Ozaydin, said: “We are always immensely grateful to our volunteers for the amazing work they do in our parks and open spaces, keeping them tidy, well looked after and beautifully maintained. As we all know, our parks were particularly important to all of us during the pandemic and they continue to be meaningful and necessary as safe meeting places. I am glad we have been able to give something back by joining the volunteers and thanking then in person for their significant contributions to the borough.”

Local company One Consulting Group (OCG) brought along several volunteers for the day. OCG also made a financial contribution to the Friends of Forty Hall Park. The Council presented medals to the volunteers as a token of appreciation from Enfield. Council owned Enfield Catering Service provided a healthy, vegetable focused spread to keep up energy levels following a busy morning of gardening and maintenance.

Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Guney Dogan, added:  “Enfield Council is committed to creating opportunities to get more people visiting and enjoying our parks and spaces and this ambition can only be fulfilled with the help and support of volunteer groups.

“In addition, the Council’s Climate Action Plan is committed to increasing provision of green spaces in the borough. Enhancing green and blue space across the borough is a vital part of our Council’s aim to deliver a lifetime of opportunities for everyone.”

To find out about local parks, the activities of Friends Groups in the borough and volunteering opportunities, visit GoParks Enfield for details. Forty Hall’s grounds, farm, café and shop are all open to members of the public. The Forty Hall Museum reopened on 20 May, in-line with public health guidance. Visit the Forty Hall Estate website for more information.  – Ends 

Attendees included volunteers from One Consulting Group, Friends of Forty Hall Park and other volunteers, the Mayor of Enfield, Enfield Council Chief Executive Ian Davis, Director of Environment & Operational Services Doug Wilkinson and others.

 
     One Consulting Group  https://oneconsultinggroup.co.uk/about-us/
     Enfield Catering Service  https://www.enfieldcatering.co.uk/
    Forty Hall Park and Estate https://www.fortyhallestate.co.uk/ 
     Climate Action Enfield  https://new.enfield.gov.uk/services/environment/climate-action/
    GoParks Enfield  https://www.goparks.london/boroughs/enfield/
     Friends of Forty Hall Park https://friendsoffortyhallpark.org/