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Newsletters include the latest news and items from the Friends relating to Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, which may be of interest to Members. The Annual Review provides further news on developments within the Parks and Friends events.
I’m so sorry to tell you all that despite vigorous campaigning the decision has now been made to close the dedicated police force in our Royal Parks.
February slides into March. Christina Rossetti said it…
‘But for fattening rain
We should have no flowers.
Never a bud or leaf again
But for soaking showers.’
Janus’s month, like the Roman god, looks both ways. Back to the old year and a chance to review and process some of the things which happened, and forwards to the new year perhaps with some resolutions?
The parks have looked strikingly different from one day to the next during the month so far. Our headline shot of an early (8am) grey view across the Serpentine shows mist rising from water full of broken ice, to slightly warmer air above. Below you’ll see the same walk, on another day, to work with a low sun through the trees emphasising the frosty grass.
This seems like the beginning of a new term for me. Even though it’s decades since I really did have one, I can’t quite throw off the feeling.
We’ve still got some nice treats for you all to enjoy, and it puts off thinking about shortening days.
This Newsletter will be followed in late October by our Annual Review, which is a much bigger proposition, so apologies for a brief silence from this editor.
After Flaming June (our last offering), things have warmed up a little and ‘The Friends’ have been very busy indeed. It’s been a pleasure, as always, to have met so many of you at our various events
ANY QUESTIONS……?
It’s very exciting for the Friends that, after several years of trying, a new home for our information kiosk may soon be established.
The Lodge by the Apsley Gate used to be the Friends’ office where members staffed a small desk to greet and help visitors. That is now a café, and the volunteer members were moved to an attractive but not entirely suitable kiosk close by. They have run this little kiosk valiantly for many years, but dwindling numbers have meant that they aren’t able any longer to provide the level of service which they would like.
Apologies to you all that our February newsletter has slipped into March.
Slipping and sliding are about right for both parks at the moment, but not on icy cold crisp winter mornings. February has lived up to its name, and I’ve never seen so much standing water and for so long in both Parks. Take a few steps away from a path’s hard surface in some areas, and you are quite likely to sink in over your ankles.