PLEASE DON'T FEED THE BIRDS - BREAD!

Last week around 15 birds were found dead or dying on the lake and test have confirmed the cause was Avian Botulism. The bacteria is always present in the lake but the recent spell of hot weather had significantly increased the toxin's. Tests on the water have confirmed that oxygen levels in the lake are currently adequate but one way of reducing the chance of a further outbreak is to avoid throwing bread into the lake.Good alternatives are lettuce or spinach, grain such as wheat, uncooked plain porridge oats, bird seed (any type or mixed corn). Please place any unused or unwanted food in a bin or take it home.

Percy has landed!

It is with great pleasure that we can announce that the 'Percy and Friends picnic spot' is now open for business. The picnic spot funded by the Friends Group can be found within the wooded area of Raphael Park and is a perfect spot for a picnic or somewhere to rest while observing Percy and his many friends. An opening ceremony with Percy the Park keeper auther Nick Butterworh in attendance will take place at 4pm on Tuesday 17th September with everyone welcome to attend. http://www.harpercollins.co.uk/Authors/872/nick-butterworth

Lodge Farm Park Tennis Club are on the look out for new members.Their membership rates are Family £18, Ordinary £14 and Junior £4. There is a one off Joining fee of £10 and a key deposit of £5, there isn't anything else to pay. For more details please email Steve Perry via s.perry600@ntlworld.com or call 01708 787447

RESTORATION UPDATE

Borras Construction commenced on site in December 2012. The programme of major works can be summarised as follows:

Park Lodge restoration/extension and service yard - December 2012 to September 2013
Play Area Kiosk/Toilets  Feb to July 2013
Bandstand restoration  Feb to April 2013
Sports pavilions external works  April to May 2013
Demolition of shelter and toilets  Feb/March 2013
Lakeside repairs  April to June 2013
Footpath works, gates and railings works and soft landscape preparation  April to Sept 2013
Planting Autumn/Winter

It is intended that the contractor will allow access to most areas of the park at most times however some areas will be closed off on occasions in the interest of public safety. In the meantime Havering Council apologise for any inconvenience to park visitors. If you require any further information about the project telephone the council on 01708 432360.

Restoration news

Havering Council recently awarded the contract for the park restoration to Borras Construction Limited and work began on 3rd December. We look forward to reviewing the schedule of work to understand how park users will be impacted. Further information will be shared when known. 

More information regarding Borras can be obtained via the below url

www.borrasconstruction.co.uk

MUSIC IN THE PARK 2012, "BRITS AT THEIR BEST"

MUSIC IN THE PARK 2012 - "BRITS AT THEIR BEST"

Thank you for letting us know what a fantastic afternoon you all had. As you know The Friends Summer Concert is organised completely by Volunteers, and what a fabulous job they made of it!  This year's "Music in the Park 2012", usually held in July, was brought forward to incorporate and celebrate our Gracious Queen's Diamond Jubilee, but after the washout of Saturday and Sunday we really didn't know if you would join us in the park! No worries there, record attendance achieved! Eight and a half thousand of you!After many months/days/hours and minutes agonizing over if we had got it right, our expectations were far exceeded. We were extremely touched by the huge show of support from our park users.

At 1pm, solo artist 'Rick Christian' opened the concert to an audience that was to continue to grow to our largest yet! Even the rain couldn't dampen the mood up went the umbrella's with the deckchairs remaining fiercely guarded, Rick played on. It was fabulous to see the good old British spirit shine through willing the clouds away and the sun came out for the rest of the day.

Our second act 'Copper Face Jack', raised the bar and our spirits a little farther, and by the time our last act, 'The New Serenaders', with their calypso tunes wafting in the summer breeze, it seemed summer had finally arrived! Raising the temperature and everyone's spirit just a little more with "Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot", our work was complete with the crowd taking to the green dance floor!

Leisure 2000 ensured the children were entertained with their excellent funfair. Alongside this, fantastic food was in plentiful supply all day long from our very own Wok Man, Hog Roast and the Park Café.

What a wonderful afternoon! We always say, "Boy that took some organising!" But every one of us is filled with pride and joy when we stand back and see what we have achieved. We sincerely hope we have shown what a great place Raphael’s Park is, and what a few very dedicated people can do.

Our many thanks to our brilliant team of volunteers, our sponsor A.C.Preou Limited, www.preou.co.uk , TimeFM,the Parks Protection Team and to you, our supporters, for taking the time out of your busy holiday schedules to spend a few precious hours in our lovely park on that very memorable Bank Holiday afternoon, because without you we couldn’t have raised a whopping £4300 to enable us to continue to support our beautiful parks!

Music In The Park 2012 - Programme & Friends Information Booklet

The programme of events for Music In The Park 2012 can be viewed/downloaded here

Additionally, The Friends of Raphael & Lodge Farm Parks Information Booklet can be viewed/downloaded here