Firs Farm - An exciting community space project that needs your VOTE

18th January 2015

By Toni Guiver

Friends of Firs Farm, Firs Farm, Firs Lane, Winchmore Hill, London N21 2PJ friendsoffirsfarm@gmail.com ý www.firsfarmn21.org www.facebook.com/FirsFarmParkN21

Public votes are urgently needed to support the transformation of Firs Farm, Palmers Green (opposite Winchmore School) into a beautiful wetlands area.

Enfield, Winchmore Hill, Palmers Green and Edmonton are popular residential areas and many value and appreciate the green spaces that exist to walk their dogs, play football, take their children for a walk or just enjoy some space and fresh air.

As many of you know, green spaces need protecting and nourishing in this day and age. The recently formed “Friends of Firs Farm” group has worked with the council and other third parties to ensure that the development of Firs Farm will benefit all the community e.g. Families, schools, groups and sports clubs.

In Jan 2015, an application, supported by the Friends Group, to fund an ambitious project, was made to the GLA’s: Big Green Fund by the London borough of Enfield. Firs Farm is now in competition with 6 other shortlisted projects across London. Our vision is a landscaped area which attracts new wildlife and plants, new cycle pathway, access for wheelchair and double buggy users, a safer route for school children. It is important to note that this will not affect the sports playing fields.

In essence, this project needs as many votes as possible to ensure its success. Please help us to change this underused space in Firs Farm to somewhere that everyone in the community can access and enjoy.

Voting opens on 21st January 2015, to vote please go to www.london.gov.uk/biggreenpoll or visit our website for more details.

Chair and founder member of the group, Toni Guiver explains, “This is a golden opportunity to help transform a dull green space into an exciting area for everyone. The aim of the Friends of Firs Farm is that more people will be able to access and enjoy Firs Farm; to cycle, run, jog, or just sit and watch the wildlife. To stroll along the paths, taking in all that the new wetlands and surrounding area will have to offer. This project has much to offer the community in terms of health, recreation, and education. It is a very exciting project and the Friends hope that you will help the quest to improve this green space for everyone.”

Jim Owen Head Teacher  at Winchmore School said “Winchmore School students would benefit immeasurably from a safer footpath through the park to school each day, and a local wetland pond would certainly be of interest to our young eco-scientists!”

Sainsburys in Winchmore Hill are also keen to back the project having recently donated £100 towards litter picking up sessions at Firs Farm.

If you are keen to get involved with the Friends group, or just to know more about this exciting project, please get in touch and don’t forget to vote for us!

NEXT Meeting of the Friends of Firs Farm

Thursday 22 January 7.30pm - 9.00pm

Winchmore School, Laburnum Grove, N21 3HS