The Friends of Feltham Green comprise a group of local residents who help look after Feltham Green and the Freddie Mercury Memorial. A group of volunteers have been meeting for the past few years to litter-pick, clear the duck pond of debris, and take care of the surrounding greenery. We formally constituted ourselves to form the Friends of Feltham Green in December 2019. The aim of forming the Friends association was to encourage a greater sense of ownership and pride within the local community and to work with Hounslow Council on ambitious plans to renovate the Green.
Whilst the constituted Friends group is a relatively new organisation, we have been operating informally for several years and have developed strong ties to the local community and businesses. Through our committee we can draw on a wealth of local, administrative, horticultural, and organisational knowledge. We have been led throughout this time by our Chair, Angela Parton. She is a well-known and active member of the community. Until recently she was Vice-Chair of the Friends of Bridge House Pond, who have successfully renovated a nearby green space to a very high standard, and she is a member of Feltham History Group. The Vice-Chair has considerable experience of managing charitable organisations and other members of the committee include horticultural specialists, a representative of a local neighbourhood watch scheme and the manager of a prominent business located on the High Street. The Friends’ Secretary is a student in secondary education and brings enthusiasm and ideas about how to attract younger people.
Covid-19 has put many of our usual activities on hold, but we have spent the past year working closely with Hounslow Council on agreeing detailed plans to improve the Green. We were guided by the thoughts and feelings about the Green expressed by local people during extensive public consultation in 2019. These plans have now been given planning consent from Hounslow Council.
When completed, the Green will be a truly wonderful destination for people of all ages to meet, relax, play and enjoy the planting and wildlife.
We are aware that because of its central and highly visible location within Feltham town centre, the Green has the potential to make a significant contribution to improving the reputation of the town, internally and externally. Increasing civic pride and supporting the shops and facilities on the High Street are also priorities for the Friends.
