Google docs for BPMP working group meeting 16.11.23

Hello Everyone,

We, in the Save Newham City Farm campaign team, wanted to share information below from the Council Parks’ Team about the Beckton Parks Master Plan Working Group which is meeting for the second time on Thursday 16th November 2023 from 5.30pm for a 6pm start at Beckton Globe.

The last meeting was positive and well attended but we agreed that it was not representative of all those across Newham and beyond who benefit from or want to be able to use and shape the future for the green spaces included in the plan. 

We all want to reach out to ensure that individuals and organisations who are not able to attend the meetings have an opportunity to contribute to the process. 

If you can come, please register by emailing Anna Yusuf at Beckton.parks@newham.gov.uk

If you or the people you represent can’t attend and you want to suggest to Anna how she and her colleague Rufus Shakespeare can engage directly in a more practical way, please also email her. 

Our campaign team supports the improvement of the wider green spaces but still maintains a commitment to prioritise the reopening of Newham City Farm. It is positive that a community farm including a green skills hub is included in the initial designs which have come out of a long consultation and co-design process. 

However, we want to ensure that a commitment to including animal provision is also central and key to a community farm not a sideline as it appears in the most recent plans. We feel that the importance of and desire for this essential feature of a farm has been downplayed in the consultation process to date. 

In light of the local circumstances facing our communities and some of our most vulnerable citizens, we know that the educational, therapeutic and social benefits of interaction with animals is proven at other community farms, that these were and could be practically and financially possible at our farm too. 

The other spaces remain open whereas Summer 2024 will be the 5th summer that the farm has been closed. 

The wider plans for the green spaces include many features which users need and want but which are already provided elsewhere. We want to see a community farm with animal provision which meets the needs of a wide range of people who can’t or are not inclined to participate in sports, social activities in buildings or more traditional academic mainstream education, for example, and who need a safe, outdoor space to do this. 

Whether or not you too believe the farm and animal provision should be high priority, we thought you should know that there is still the opportunity for local people to be involved. 

Please do contact us if you feel that we can help to represent you or you support us. 

Many thanks. 

Kind regards,

Alison McLucas
On behalf of the Save Newham City Farm campaign team