The Friends of West Ham Park are looking to mark the anniversary in style.

By Charlotte Cook

A budding tree — Photo by Raychan on Unsplash

It will be a Happy New Year and an exciting 2024 ahead for West Ham Park which celebrates the 150th anniversary of the creation of the park, and its dedication to the local community.

The Friends will be working with the Corporation of London on a number of activities, and we are seeking suggestions about how to mark this wonderful year. The key date for the diary is 20 July!

West Ham Park has an amazing history, and we are very keen to further celebrate this: the Dr Fothergill Exhibition in the Rose Garden is a super starting point; then there is the history of other previous occupiers – the Gurney family (who are still very much involved in the Park’s management) and Elizabeth Fry (the philanthropist and prison reformer who lived in a house where the Army Reserve Centre is today), as well as today’s Park Rangers, some of whom still live and work in the Park.

The Park has also had many visitors, none of which are more important than those who enjoy, play in, walk in, and attend the park on a regular basis. But perhaps our King might be able to attend for the anniversary (as did his predecessor), and certainly the Lord Mayor of London.

And of course, one of the main reasons for the acquisition of West Ham Park for the benefit of local residents was to ensure that the land was saved from a potential sale for building purposes. This is something which continues, with ongoing plans for the development of the former nursery site unfortunately, into this anniversary year, and which we as the Friends will continue to oppose.

As a time for celebration, and with our best wishes to you for 2024, we look forward to welcoming you to West Ham Park, and to seeing you during this very special year.

Charlotte Cook is the chair of Friends of West Ham Park

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