FBHP News
Photo Competition Winner
Winner of "Trees of Home & Bushy Parks" photo competiton announced
Chairman's Autumn Report
Friends' Chairman publishes Autumn Report.
Newsletter Editor Vacancy
An exciting position has arisen to edit the Friends' newsletter.
Water Gardens Information
More information about the Water Gardens: access and rules.
Water Gardens opening date
Water Gardens to open October 2nd 2009.
Photo Competition Winner
Winner of Long Hot Summer photo competition announced.
Friends open Information Point
The Friends open the Pheasantry Welcome Centre Information Point.
Welcome Centre finally Open
Welcome Centre finally opens to the Public.
Welcome Centre to Open
Welcome Centre to open 1st September.
Water Gardens Opening
Water Gardens to open by October.
Special General Meeting
Move to seek charitable status.
Parking charges consultation results
84% AGAINST parking charges!
Diana on the move
The statue of Diana is to be moved on Monday 20 July - hopefully!
Chair's Summer Report
Friends' Chairman issues Summer Report.
Winner Announced
Signs of Spring photo competition winner announced.
Hundreds turn out to protest
Hundreds turn out to protest over proposed parking charges.
Bushy Park Car Crime
Appeal for witnesses to Bushy Park car crime.
Annual Report
Chairman's Annual Report 2009.
Car Park Charging
Friends against proposed parking charges.
Diana Controversy
Ill-advised to change Diana Fountain name.
Water Gardens
Major renovation work now complete.
Welcome Centre
Volunteers needed.
Woodland Gardens
Amphitheatre to open Summer 2009.
Personnel Changes
Head Gardener to leave.
Huge demonstration against parking charges
News story posted 1 February 2010
Combined rally in Richmond Park draws huge crowds
Despite freezing temperatures, an estimated 2,000 people attended a rally held in Richmond Park to protest against Minister Margaret Hodge’s decision to force through car parking charges in both Bushy and Richmond Parks. Her decision flies in the face of massive public opposition as well as opposition from all local councils and all local MPs and parliamentary candidates from across the party political spectrum.
The rally was addressed by Zac Goldsmith (Conservative parliamentary candidate for Richmond Park), Dr Vince Cable (Lib Dem MP for Twickenham), Justine Greening (Conservative MP for Putney) and Susan Kramer (Lib Dem MP for Richmond Park). All the politicians opposed the parking charges and promised to do all they can to block them, or to repeal them if the proposal does go forward under the current Government.
But the biggest cheers were those for the speech by the FBHP’s chairman Pieter Morpurgo, speaking on behalf of the Keep Bushy Park Free Alliance of which the FBHP is a founding partner. Click here to read his speech in full.
What can we do now? The various MPs above are going to “pray against” Margaret Hodge’s decision, meaning that the matter must be brought before Parliament. We need everyone to write in to demand that the proposed parking charges in Bushy & Richmond Parks are debated in the House of Commons rather than hidden away in Committee.
Please write today to:
Margaret Hodge MP, it is important to copy Ben Bradshaw who is her boss and Vince Cable the MP for Twickenham (covering Bushy Park) - for full details click here.
Some people find it easier to email:
If you do, please make sure you include your name and address and postcode to ensure it counts - for full details see here.
Report: Carol Dukes, Photo: Brian Holder.
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Click here to visit the website of the Keep Bushy Park Free Alliance for more information
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Some news stories describing the Richmond Park rally on 30th January 2010: click here for all the latest information.
If you know of any more interesting reports please click
here to let me know.
