October 2023: Did Someone Say “mists and mellow fruitfulness”?
An autumn introduction should begin with that quote from the much-loved John Keats poem. But the British climate had other ideas! September and early October have been dry, with hot, sunny days.
Your park and the users association have been ‘hot’ too - in the news. HRUA representatives, attending the Harrow Heroes evening at Headstone Manor, walked away with not one, but two awards for our brilliant volunteer team. There’s been lots of positive publicity as a result, with features in Harrow People, on the digital billboards, and on the HarrowOnline news site:
No basking in the glory, we are busy with our autumn programme of events: the Bug Hunt, with brilliant naturalist, Simon Braidman, attracted lots of budding entomologists; and the Mayor, Cllr. Ramji Chauhan, joined us for the Tree Walk with John Wells, spending nearly 2 hours in the park and inaugurating our Tree Labelling and Awareness project - using a hammer specially purchased for the occasion!
See the gallery below for some photos.
There’s plenty more to look forward to, including our Autumn Newsletter, a Canopy Book Sale, the Navratri Music and Dance Festival, and the AGM/Tree Dressing. see notice boards, our Facebook Group or this website for details.
Oh, for our younger friends: don’t forget the Winter Story Time with our spinner-of-yarns, Claudia.
To Autumn By John Keats
Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;
To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;
To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells
With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,
And still more, later flowers for the bees,
Until they think warm days will never cease,
For summer has o'er-brimm'd their clammy cells.
STOP PRESS!
HRUA AGM is coming up - come along and have your say about our park.
Join in the fun decorating and dancing round the tree on Sunday 3rd December at 2pm, then enjoy refreshments in the Green Pavilion.
The HRUA Annual General Meeting will be held on the same day, after the Tree Dressing, at about 2.30pm in the Green Pavilion.
For More Information: the AGM agenda, meeting minutes, a copy of the new constitution and details of officers and their roles, check our website, or email info@harrowrec.org.uk
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 10:00 to 11:00 near the Tennis Courts or on the Basketball Court);
- and Harrow Health Walk (Tuesdays 10.30 meet at Hindes Road Entrance).
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 & Team Activities
As well as our teams working in the park each month we have organised some exciting events for you and your families to enjoy throughout the year...
Watch out for updates on our “friends” Facebook group, as events may be rescheduled or cancelled.
Sunday, 3rd Nov
2.00 pm
Tree Dressing & HRUA AGM
Join in the fun decorating and dancing round the mulberry tree (near the cemetery gate) on Sunday 3rd December at 2pm, then enjoy refreshments in the Green Pavilion.
The HRUA Annual General Meeting will be held on the same day, after the Tree Dressing, at about 2.30pm in the Green Pavilion.
For More Information: the AGM agenda, meeting minutes, a copy of the new constitution and details of officers and their roles,
email info@harrowrec.org.uk
Monthly, on first Monday, and fourth Friday
From April 'til Nov 2-4pm
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!
Each Friday,
10.30 until 12.00
Conversation Cafe & Wellbeing Walk and Talk
Supported by Harrow Council and Harrow Recreation Ground Users Association.
Join us every Friday at Harrow Recreation Ground for an invigorating morning of activity focused on wellbeing and engagement.
Meet at the the Sevacare park cafe.
Gallery
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