KIDS' FUN FAIR DAY, SUNDAY 6 AUGUST 2023 19th Annual Kids' Fun Fair Day in Canons Park, Edgware/Stanmore The weather was kind to us on Fun Day this year and a great time was had by all! We raised just over £1100, which will be used to purchase a new bench for the Memorial Garden. Planning for the 2024 event will start next January. Please note that we do not require commercial stalls but are happy to consider approaches from local community groups.
LITTER PICK Our next litter pick will take place on Sunday 20 August, from 10am to 11.30am. Please meet opposite the Good Friends Cafe at the centre of the park. All equipment, including gloves, is provided, as well as refreshments at the end of the session. Families are welcome but children under 14 must be supervised at all times please.
OPEN CITY DAY IN CANONS PARK - SUNDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 2023, FROM 11am The Friends will once again be taking part in the London-wide event organised by the Open City Festival. As in the past, free, half-hour tours of the park to discover its 18th century history will be led by members of the Friends of Canons Park Steering Committee. Tours start every hour on the hour, from 11am to 4pm (last tour). Meet at the Friends' stall opposite the Good Friends Cafe, where there will be a small display about the history of the park, together with information and leaflets to take away. All ages welcome. Free refreshments will also be available. Why not complete your tour by visiting the two linked attractions nearby? St Lawrence Church is offering tours from 2pm to 5pm. The church features beautiful frescos and the marble mausoleum of the Duke of Chandos. It's just a short walk from the park, as is the private Seven Acre Lake at the heart of the Canons Park Estate, which is only open to the public as part of this festival. Entry from 10am to 4pm (last tour) from Rose Garden Close.
CANONS PARK GARDENING CLUB - next sessions Sunday 20 August and Sunday 3 October. We would love to hear from any keen gardeners who would like to work in or around the George V Memorial Garden at the centre of the park, to help restore it to its former glory. In 2018 we formed a small but very effective gardening club that now meets every other Sunday morning, from early spring to late autumn, working from around 10am to 1pm - although everyone is welcome for whatever amount of time they can spare. The Gardening Club sessions are very rewarding. So far the group have cleared many of the overgrown flower beds and planted bulbs, bedding and perennial plants. Why not join them and make a real difference to the garden? All tools and equipment, including gardening gloves, are provided - or you can bring your own if you prefer.
If you are interested in joining the group, please contact our gardening volunteer coordinator, Tony Bennett, at: canonspark@outlook.com for more information.
HEALTHY ACTIVITIES IN CANONS PARK
The activities below are FREE but donations are very welcome. All proceeds to the Friends of Canons Park to help buy plants and bulbs for the George V Memorial Garden
The Canons Park parkrun is held every Saturday at 9am throughout the year and regularly attracts around 200 runners and walkers of all abilities. There is no entry fee. Meet at the Temple building just before the starting time.
HEALTH WALKS - 8am - 9am Join the group for health walks and stretching exercises four times a week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 8am – 9am. Meet at the Howberry Road entrance gates. Contact: Herbalist, Varsha on 07730 979400 for further details
TAI CHI - 10am - 11am every Thursday throughout the year. At the Temple building in the Pleasure Garden or under the shelter in the George V Memorial Garden, depending on weather conditions For further information, text the organiser on 07462 181878
Walk with a Doc (Dr Akshay Bhanshaly) Walk with a Doc takes place on the third Sunday of each month at 9.30am to 10.30am in Canons Park. This is a FREE monthly community event. Walk with a Doc is an inclusive walking program open to everyone interested in taking steps towards a healthier lifestyle. Spend a few minutes learning about a lifestyle related heath topic, then spend the rest of the hour enjoying a healthy walk and fun conversation. It’s a great way to get out, get active and enjoy all the great benefits that come from walking. Walk at your own pace and distance (there is no obligation to walk the full hour).You don’t need any special gear, and everyone is welcome. Our walking groups are a safe, fun and FREE place to get steps, learn about health and meet new friends. Contact akshaybhanshaly@outlook.com for further information or just turn up on the day. (GMC Registration 6129427)
BIRD WATCHING WALKS - CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE BUT WE HOPE TO RE-INTRODUCE THEM THIS AUTUMN! IN THE MEANTIME, HERE IS A LIST OF BIRDS THAT CAN BE SEEN IN THE PARK AT VARIOUS TIMES OF THE YEAR. (In Canons Park) 7 Black-headed Gull 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull Wood Pigeon - several Stock Dove - singing & at nest hole Ring-necked Parakeet - common Great Spotted Woodpecker - drumming Green Woodpecker - calling 3 Magpie Carrion Crows 2 Long-tailed Tit Blue Tit - singing Great Tit - singing 2 Coal Tit - singing Eurasian Nuthatch 3 singing / calling 1 Dunnock - briefly singing REDWING Only 1 (48 on 2 February 2020) 2 Mistle Thrush feeding in the open grass Robin - 3 singing Wren - 2 singing 2 Starling – calling near Donnefield gate Chaffinch – singing. Male feeding under trees 2 Goldfinch Greenfinch trilling near Donnefield gate