Thank you.
Howard Roberts, retiring Environment Officer
I first became an active Friend over thirty years ago. Most of that committee are now memorial benches around The Green. Clearly time to move on.
The work that the Friends have done over that period of time, I like to think has helped make The Green what is today, a highly popular public open space.
Given all that, a few, ‘thank yous’ are in order:
Former Head of Parks, David Allister. When I was finding my feet, David gave me much help and support. I soon learnt the value of contact and dialogue with Parks. Whilst David has now moved on, his style and sense of responsibility is reflected in the staff he appointed, Yvonne, Matt and Sasha. It has been a pleasure to work with these remarkable people who do so much to look after our Green. How many mornings have we trod around that Green in the cold and the rain!
Councillors come and go, the good and the less good. Before the boundary changes, Piers Allen was always highly supportive. He had the ability to listen carefully, and follow though responsibly. More recently, Richard Bennett has been a huge asset. Now he is no longer a councillor, I am pleased to see, he too is now an active Friend
When I first joined the Friends, relations with stakeholders were poor. The Cricket Club would only talk via their solicitor! CC Secretary Dan Hough helped to change all that, and a strong relationship has developed. Current Groundsperson, Nigel Gordon, has been a great help to our organisation, and his advice is valued.
Founder member of The Friends, David Vaughan, has always been a source of wise council. We should be grateful for the work the early members began. As I used to tell my students, if you do not learn from history, you are doomed to repeat it.
We should give thanks to New Zealand, or two of them in particular. Harley Alexander, who has now returned to his homeland, began the process of bringing our group in to the 21st century, and the start of our online presence. His fellow countryman, Peter Thomsen has taken the role of Website Officer even further. Our online profile has transformed FOTG. Every time the number of hits rises, it increases our validity when we engage with the council. Posts now regularly receive over 2000 hits. We have learnt that whatever we do, we must broadcast it.
The current committee is the best I have seen. At last we have active committee members who are not entitled to a Transport For London, Freedom Pass, and there is much fresh thinking going on; a mixture of the ambitious and the realistic.
Sandra, David Brodin and I were talking to Bernadette from Shepperton Design Studios recently. She said that when they moved to The Green in the early seventies, it was run down and unattractive.
Now? Popular. People want to use this precious public open space. Birthday parties, yoga and fitness; dog walkers; kids who just want to kick a ball; people lost in Tai Chi. A music festival and a charity fair. But please beware of Park Events, and of those who want to sweat money from The Green. At all costs we must ensure that The Green is always there for the local community for ad hoc leisure pursuits.
I would stress that it is important that what we have achieved, has been achieved collectively. And for me it has been a good team experience.
I have also learnt that it is important to talk to people rather than about them, so at all costs keep engaging with stake holders and decision makers.
Finally, one person who has put up with my extended absences. “I’m just going to the re-cycling bins”, and then gone for an hour talking to Malcolm about trees, and Nigel about grass. Thank you Sandra.
Howard Roberts
01/09/2026