Author: chris sanders

We have received the following email from Medway Council regarding their current survey of Open space usage

Dear Friends,

We’re asking residents for their views on public open spaces in Medway, such as parks, play areas and allotments.

An updated open space assessment is required as supporting evidence for Medway’s emerging Local Plan.

What the study is

Management consultancy, Knight, Kavanagh & Page (KKP), have been appointed by Medway Council to carry out an assessment on Medway’s public open spaces.

Public open space provides opportunities for sport and recreation, socialising, tourism and wildlife. They make an important contribution to the health and well-being of communities, ecosystems and economies.

Up to date information is needed on Medway’s open spaces. This is to ensure that there is suitable provision of accessible, high quality open spaces that meet the needs and aspirations of local communities, local people and people who work in or visit the area.

How to get involved

KKP are running a survey asking residents for their views on public open spaces in Medway.

It will provide valuable information that we’ll use to inform both the new Local Plan and also investment decisions as part of an up-to-date strategy for public open spaces.

For further details to access the survey please follow this link: https://www.medway.gov.uk/openspace

The survey closes on Monday 1 May 2023.

The annual fundraising event by the Rotary Club of Gillingham will be visiting soon. Every year Father Christmas tours the streets of Gillingham and Rainham on his brightly lit up float, bringing delight to youngsters.

This year there has been a change to the planned route on December 23rd. The new route is as follows

Start junction of Eastcourt Lane and Broadway at 6pm

Elmfield, Featherby Road, Chilham Road, Eastcourt Lane, Allington Road, Broadway, Priory Road, Abbey Road, Featherby Road, Hanway, The Chase, Chalkenden Road, Broadway.

The float will now additionally turn right up Geneva Ave then left along Cecil Ave and then left down Locarno Ave before rejoining Broadway

Rotary members will be rattling their collection buckets as they go, to raise money for local good causes. So please make sure you have lots of spare change so they can help the following charities this year:

Oliver Fisher Baby Unit
Kent Association for the Blind
Salvation Army
Gillingham Street Angels
Carers First
Mash
The Friends of the Wisdom Hospice
Medway Night Shelter
MND
Tommies.

We have been asked by Medway Council to pass on the following message regarding anti-social behaviour

“We have been getting an increasing number of reports of anti-social behaviour in our lovely parks and have been working with our Community Safety Team and the Police on how we address this.

The best thing we can do is report all incidents as this is recorded and added to data. The more reports an area receives the higher it goes in priority as a ‘Hot Spot’. The attached poster has been created using the information from the Police on how best to report any incidents.”

Dear Members

Your Committee have now completed and formally adopted the Management Plan for Vinall Park and attach it herewith for your perusal – many thanks to Kevin and Ralph for their efforts. As you will be aware we have consulted with Medway Council throughout the process.

Your comments are always welcome.

The Friends of Vinall Park together with Medway Council are holding a Bulb Planting event – the details are below:-

Saturday 13^th November from 10am to 2pm

(Sunday 14^th November if weather is poor on Saturday 13^th)

We have been given thousands of bulbs to plant to give a show in Spring and Summer.

Big thanks to Medway Norse

Allium, Crocus, Daffodil, Tulip, Narcissus

We need plenty of volunteers to help us plant 

Families and children are more than welcome

Please book in early to avoid disappointment as we do have a limit on volunteers 

First come first plant!

To join us please book in on our email – info@vinallpark.org

or directly to one of the Committee members

Medway animal wardens provided a dog event at Vinall Park, today Wednesday 22 September. The event was very successful being visited by a good number of dogs along with their owners. Advice was offered and dog chipping was a available for those who needed this. Councillor Hazel Browne came along to support the event. The wardens felt that the day was successful and will be coming again next year for a larger event. The said they would be happy to  come along to any of our events.
We would like to thank the Animal Wardens for all their efforts and thank all those people who brought along their dogs. We hope that they will support the future events that are planned within the Park. Vinall Park is here to be used by the community. Please share your ideas about the Park with us and join us as Friends of Vinall Park

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

The next Members meeting is being held via ZOOM

It is scheduled for next Wednesday 17 March at 7pm sharp

At this meeting the Committee will bring you up to speed with what we have been getting up to on everyone’s behalf since the last meeting in December.

You must register with us to be part of this ZOOM meeting – only those who reply directly by email to info@vinallpark.org will be sent an invite to attend the ZOOM call.

We really hope you can join us and look forward to hearing from you.

To become a Member of the Friends Group please email – membership@vinallpark.org – Membership is FREE.

Today we were lucky enough to to have our new bench installed. It takes pride of place on the Geneva Avenue side of the park. We hope users of the park enjoy the new addition.

At the last Members meeting it was suggested we organise a collection for the Food Bank at Featherby School

As can been seen from the picture above and despite the short notice; our Members and neighbours managed to collect a huge amount for the very worthy cause.

Thank you to everyone for their very generous donations