Spring 2024: Ready, get set, go!
There is no time like Spring,
When life’s alive in everything,
...
It's hardly surprising that so many poets have been moved to celebrate the arrival of spring. The above lines are from Christina Rossetti, the Romantic era writer and poet, written in the mid 1800s.
When I'm walking around our park, the sight of the newly-unfurled oak leaves - that unique, fresh green colour - could almost inspire me to pen some words in celebration of nature reborn.
Luckily, your HRUA committee is not wandering among the trees, dreaming up poems, but busy planning our programme of spring and summer events.
As I write this, our ever-popular Spring Plant Sale, and the Spring Tree Walk with John Wells are only weeks away, and the first big event - the Kites and Bikes Festival is on Sunday, May 19th.
Have a look at the Events section further down this page for more details, and for a link to download the full programme for 2024.
As ever, timings may vary, and events may be added or cancelled, so join our "Friends of Harrow Rec" Facebook group to keep yourself informed about changes.
In the mean time, get out and enjoy the spring, like Christina did...
Blows the thaw-wind pleasantly,
Drips the soaking rain,
By fits looks down the waking sun:
Young grass springs on the plain;
Young leaves clothe early hedgerow trees;
Seeds, and roots, and stones of fruits,
Swollen with sap, put forth their shoots;
Curled-headed ferns sprout in the lane;
Birds sing and pair again.
STOP PRESS!
Update on council works in the park - 19th April
The contractors have cleared away their diggings, packed up their shovels, loaded up their machines and left, and the park is now peaceful again.
We now have repaired and widened paths, a beautiful new car park surface, graded wheelchair park access, and refurbished cricket nets.
The new cemetery fence is progressing well after a long wait, but work continues, so we may see council workers on Saturday mornings for a while yet.
Thanks are due to Harrow Council for organising and completing this work to keep our park looking good and safe.
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 & 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, 5th May
12 - 3pm
Spring Plant Sale
Our volunteers have been hard at work sowing, pricking-out, potting-on, and otherwise pottering in their greenhouses.
Come over to the Green Canopy on Sunday, 5th of March to snap up the bargains - shrubs, bedding plants and vegetable plugs.
Make sure you get there early, though - this is always a popular sale.
Sunday, 12th May
10.30am to 12.30pm
Spring Tree Walk with John Wells
Join John - our expert dendrologist - for an enjoyable and educational stroll around our park - visiting some of the common and not-so-common trees.
John is a popular guide, and a veritable fount of information, and he is always happy to answer any questions you may have about trees, moss, lichen and funghi.
Meet at Hindes Road gate for the walk, and then afterwards, at the Seva Cafe, for more chat and a hot beverage.
Sunday, 19th May
2pm to 5pm
Kites & Bikes Festival
A perennially popular event, Kites & Bikes returns in spring 2024.
Bring along your own kite and demonstrate your skills, join our volunteers in the craft tent to make your own, or buy one of the fun kites on sale.
Meanwhile, Dr Bike will be on hand to help you with minor repairs and servicing, and to answer all your cycling questions. (Please note, Dr. Bike will give priority to children and their bikes. Please be patient.)
Bring your kites and bikes up to the top (north) field.
Sunday, 19th May
10.30am to 4.30pm
Harrow Bowls Club Open Day
Want to learn a new sport? There's free coaching available on our Open Day, when all are welcome.
No experience required - see how easy it is to play and enjoy. And all equipment supplied, you will just need flat shoes or trainers.
Just come along and have a go on the day, or see our website for more details: 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 2-4pm
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 Sunday,
9-12am
Tennis Sessions
Harrow's LTA tennis partner, Premier Tennis, run coaching and free tennis play sessions in the park on a Sunday morning, with coach Akash on hand to help and advise.
Just check the following link for availability and booking, and then turn up with your racket and your energy.
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.
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.
Each Friday,
10.45 to 11.15
Harrow Health Walk
Supported by Harrow Council and Harrow Recreation Ground Users Association.
Join us every Friday at Harrow Recreation Ground for an invigorating walk, focused on wellbeing and engagement.
Meet at the Sevacare park cafe.
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