Festival to celebrate 10-year community led transformation of park

The annual Lordship Rec Community Festival will this year celebrate the 10-year community led transformation of the park.

Everyone is welcome to attend the festival this Saturday 22 September to take part in all the fun and sporting events and see what community regeneration can achieve.

With a £4m Heritage Lottery Grant, the Lordship Rec Users Forum - which brings together local groups including Haringey Council - has overseen major renovation works in the park including:

• A new course with three new bridges for the River Moselle
• A new open orchard along with wildlife-friendly areas
• A state-of-the-art bike track with loops and challenges
• Refurbishment of the nationally-unique Model Traffic Area for children's cycling
• A renovated Shell Theatre for performances
• New play facilities
• Landscaping and meadows
• Improved pathways
• An innovative "eco" building with cafe, toilets and classroom

Haringey Council's Cabinet Member for the Environment, Cllr Nilgun Canver, said:

"This is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the industry of the local community who took on this very challenging project and, in partnership with the council, have truly transformed this park.

"It is a real pleasure and thrill to see the fantastic landscaping and the very exciting bike track which I hope will be used for generations to come."

Dave Morris, chair of the Lordship Rec Users Forum and festival coordinator, said:

"The people of Tottenham deserve the best possible local facilities and the festival will be a showcase for the improvements made and also for the interests and talents of local residents.

"The high level of community involvement over the last 10 years will continue as we help to manage the rejuvenated park and its buildings and features."

As well as admiring the new landscape, the annual festival always has something for everyone including:

• Sports, games and a fun run
• Cycling activities on the loop track and the model traffic area
• Dance and music in the park and the Shell Theatre, and a 'buskers corner'
• The Tottenham Horticulture, Produce and Green Show with nature talks and workshops
• Health-related activities
• Memories and a local history area
• Dog show and a farm animals corner
• Community stalls
• Children's procession
• Children's arts and crafts
• Adventure play and bouncy castle
• Refreshments
• Art gallery showcasing local talent

Anyone wanting to enter the festival's flower and produce show should call 07831 219 032, email info@back2earth.org.uk or download an entry form from the Lordship Rec Festival website