The Friends of the Commons

As soon as straitened circumstances forced us to reduce to one keeper an appeal was made for volunteers to come and work on the Commons. Two groups were formed, one meeting each Wednesday morning and another meeting on the second Saturday of each month. In all we have around 20 volunteer workers whose hours aggregate during the course of the year to the equivalent of another full-time keeper.

In 2003 the Trustees wanted to recognise the generosity of the supporters of the Commons, those who were giving money and those who were giving voluntary labour, and so The Friends of the Commons organisation was formed. There are now over 400 members. In fact, this is the second Friends organisation formed to support the Commons. In February 1981 the Association of Friends of Chislehurst and St Paul's Cray Commons was established with the aim of supporting "the provision of recreation facilities available to the public". With charitable status the Association very quickly collected 20 covenants. By 1987 it was felt that the Association had fulfilled its aim and it was dissolved. The remaining assets of £1,600 were passed to a charity with similar aims: the Commons, Open Spaces and Footpaths Preservation Society.

How times have changed! The Friends of the Commons is now the source of our lifeblood. Friends are invited to an annual reception and to community events on the Commons and receive an occasional newsletter.

For more information contact the Commons office by telephone, 0208 467 1886, or by e-mail, chiscmcn@yahoo.co.uk

Most of the parks and open spaces in the London Borough of Bromley have a friends group. All these groups have now come together, with the support of Council officers, to form the Friends Forum on which the Friends of Chislehurst Commons are represented. Our link officer with the Council is Stephen Tickner, who can be contacted via e-mail: stephen.tickner@bromley.gov.uk