April 2025:
Welcome to Spring at Harrow Rec!
Welcome to a new and exciting year at Harrow Rec! Spring has finally sprung and our park is ablaze with golden daffodils, purple crocuses and delicate white snowdrops. Over the past few months, our dedicated park volunteers have been busy planting hedging whips around the park and installing bird and bat nesting boxes on trees.
Our regular park activities such as Tai Chi, Bootcamp and Parkrun are now in full swing. The Harrow Rec Wellbeing Walk on Friday mornings is growing ever more popular this year. A large group of regular walkers enjoy a lovely stroll through our beautiful park, followed by coffee and conversation in the park cafe. Established in conjunction with Harrow Council and Ramblers Wellbeing Walks, the Wellbeing Walk is a brilliant way for you to keep active while making social connections. And this March we have introduced new Ladies Wellbeing Walks on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.
If you are interested in joining us on one of our walks, see the "Activities" section below, and my article on our news page for more information.
The bi-monthly Community Gardening Group will restart in early April and our superb free park Events Programme will begin in May with the popular Bug Hunt, Spring Tree Walk and Kites & Bikes Festival. If you are interested in volunteering with us, please feel free to get in touch.
We hope you enjoy spending time in Harrow Rec this year and take part in all the brilliant activities we have on offer.
Best wishes,
Aruna Sidhu, Guest Editor
STOP PRESS!
May 2025 DOG WALKING NEWS
Kay Waddilove, co-leader of the HRUA “Dog Walkers” member organisation reports: “The Dog Group now has 178 members. Through our WhatsApp group we support one another with information - not just about the hazards in the park but also with advice on canine-related matters, such as useful local services. As well, of course, as promoting the biennial Dog Show in the park...”
HRUA Secretary, Jane Galbraith, adds: “We agree with Kay that the Dog Walkers group has been a great success, and I would add that we value the care the Dog Group members take of the park.”
If you would like more information, or you would like to join the group, please email us at info@harrowrec.org.uk
Editor
Who We Are
The Harrow Recreation Ground Users Association (HRUA) is a voluntary group of park users who organise around 10 free events in ‘The Rec’ each year, open to all.
We act when needed as a support and lobbying group on behalf of park users, and we aim to work in partnership with other park groups and clubs, and Harrow Council to make sure that the facilities in the park can be enjoyed by all.
Our governing documents and minutes are published online. You can follow the links below to see them, or to join our work.
Around the Park
Take off your earphones, turn up your senses, and enjoy our beautiful trees, lawns, gardens and wildlife.
You’ll find all the usual park facilities at ‘The Rec’: football and cricket pitches, tennis and basketball courts, children’s playground.
In the Ahimsa Peace Garden you can enjoy the tranquillity of the fenced Quiet Area or meet friends or hold a party in the Picnic Area.
You can get fit at two outdoor gyms, use the covered area for your outdoor events (free booking required), and get refreshments at the popular SEVA Cafe.
Clubs & Activities
There has been a bowling ground at the Rec since its earliest days, and Harrow Bowling Club was formed around 1902.
The Rec is also home to Harrow St Mary’s Youth Football Club and the 3-Bridges Cricket Club.
Activities open to all include:
- Harrow parkrun (Saturdays 9am by Harrow St Mary’s Pavilion);
- Tai Chi for Health (Fridays 9:30 to 10:30 near the café or on the Basketball Court);
- Group Exercise (Tuesdays 9:45 to 10:45 near the Tennis Courts or on the Basketball Court);
- and Harrow Health Walk (Fridays 10.45 meet outside the café).
Volunteering
HRUA runs about ten events each year - free for all to join and always very popular - and the help of our supporters is essential to organise and run these.
The Harrow Rec Community gardeners meet twice per month to help keep the park tidy and beautiful, and safe for all users - working in conjunction with the Harrow Council Green Team.
Our regular book sales are a great way to ‘recycle’ books, and raise valuable funds for our programmes and activities.
We also work with Harrow Council in planning and completing improvements to the park infrastructure and facilities
Upcoming Events
Harrow Recreation Ground Users Association has organised some exciting events for you and your families to enjoy throughout the year...
Click on the link for a full programme, and watch out for updates on our “Friends of Harrow Rec” Facebook group, as events may be rescheduled or cancelled.
Sunday 18th May 2:00 – 5:00 pm
Kites & Bikes Festival
Spring is here, and it’s time to dust off that old bicycle and pull your kite out of the back of the cupboard, because the Kites & Bikes Festival is back!
Dr. Bike will be with us, to check that your bike is in good working order, and to advise on fixing any issues (if it’s a simple job the Dr. might be able to fix it there and then).
Hopefully there will be a good breeze for kite flying. If you don’t have your own, we have kits and can help you make one, or you can buy one of our reasonably-priced, ready-made models.
Join the party on the field south of the Cafe.
Sunday 18th May 10:00 am until 4:00 pm
Harrow Bowls Club Open Day
Try a new sport! See how easy it is to play and enjoy bowls. Free coaching.
All are welcome to come along on the day and have a go!
www.harrowbowlsclub.co.uk
Regular Events, Groups, & Team Activities
Here are some events and activities that take place in our park, every week "come rain, come shine". Why not come along and join in, no invitation necessary. Send us an email, or check our “Friends of Harrow Rec” Facebook group for more details.
Monthly, on first Monday and fourth Friday
From April 'til Nov 2-4 pm
Garden Team
Calling all gardeners! Never mind the weather or the season, we meet for digging, planting, tidying, taming, sweeping and litter-picking.
Whether you are green-fingered or all thumbs you will be welcomed, there are jobs to suit everyone, and fun and companionship besides.
Find us either at the "Green Pavilion" (near to the Cafe and Bowling Green), in the Ahimsa Peace Garden (near the basket ball courts), or out and about in the park with spade, secateurs and broom!
Monthly, on last Wednesday
11:30 am-1:00 pm
Good Neighbour Reconnection Club
Join Age UK at the park cafe, every last Wednesday of the month for some fun, chat and activities as we reconnect with each other and the community!
Please feel free to get in touch with us on 020 8756 4391 or email
Each Friday,
9.30 until 10.30
Harrow Tai Chi for Health
We are a community group who are actively promoting the joy of practising tai chi in the open parks for health and general well being.
Our Harrow Rec sessions are 9.30am to 10.30am every Friday morning and they are free and full of fun. Hope you will make new friends and have an enjoyable one hour of fresh air, gentle exercise, tranquility and mindfulness with us.
We meet near the green canopy by the cafe or in the basket ball at 9.30am. We look forward to seeing you.
TBA
Tennis Sessions
March 2025: Tennis coaching and free sessions are currently under review - more news soon, hopefully.
Each Saturday, 09.00
Harrow Rec parkrun
parkrun is a free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event that takes place at thousands of venues across the world.
Parkrunners run, jog or walk our 5k course at their own pace.
More information can be found on the Harrow parkrun website
Each Tuesday,
9.45 to 10:45
Group Exercise
aka "bootcamp". Join our exercise group out in the fresh air every Tuesday morning. And then, maybe stay on for a friendly chat in the cafe afterwards.
Meet on grass, near to the tennis courts - or the basketball court.
All Welcome:
Each Friday,
10.45 to 11.15 am
Women of all ages:
Each Wednesday,
12.55 pm
1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month (March-Oct), 11 am
Harrow Health Walks
Want to get active and meet new people? Join one of our friendly walking groups in Harrow Recreation Ground
Walking has numerous health benefits. Walking in nature is self care and excellent for the mind, body & spirit.
Enjoy an easy-paced walk around our beautiful park with a friendly and supportive group. Bring a friend or make new ones as it’s a great way to catch up and stay active.
Supported by Harrow Council and Harrow Recreation Ground Users Association.
No need to book, just turn up and meet the group at the park cafe. For more information, see posters in the park, or email us at info@harrowrec.org
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