June 2019 Newsletter

Make it your 'happy place'

It's been an amazing few weeks with both Dogtopia and the Community Sports Day held at the park this month. Thank you to everyone who supported, it's brilliant when the park is full of people having a good time. Plenty more fun to be had over the course of the year. Keep up to date on social media or our website for new dates @LoveHardiePark.  September to December is currently being scheduled, preview SAVE THE DATE info below, watch this space!

Community Sports Day - Thank you!

Wow, we had such a great turn-out on Sunday 23rd June both from sporting providers delivering have-a-go activities and local families coming along to the park to enjoy a day of outdoor fun. Some families brought a picnic acknowledging Eden Project's Big Lunch others used the cafe for refreshments.

Thanks to ETUFC Youth, Stanford Rugby, Club, Stanford le hope Cricket, Fusion Netball, Caroline Williams/I'm an Insaniac, Yoga with Jane, SS17 Walkers, Combat Academy for Sports, Dan Butler on his BMX / the HP scooter crew on the skatepark, Health checks from Thurrock Council and Rob Groves for a fun hour of old fashioned games in the park. 

The tug-o-war was enjoyed by adults and kids alike, egg and spoon race, running race and bean bag throwing competitions kept everyone in good spirits. 

THANK YOU to all who attended. THANK YOU to all who supported. IT WAS AMAZING!

(Credit: Jacques Feeney ETUFC Photographer) - Thanks to Hassenbrook Academy for free use of their car park and field.

Tunes and chill weekender

So the 20th Stanford Music Festival is on Saturday 6th, here's a taste of what's on offer during the afternoon on Sunday the 7th at Hardie Park!

A full line-up of great entertainment on the stage!

Lots of local businesses supporting the event:

Crystal Tranquillity : Edees Beads & Bows - Moosh MUA- Facepainter - Usborne Books- GOSH Teddy - Babies in Waiting-  Dragon Lady Designs - Dolly Sue’s - Tumble Tots Grays - Darcey’s Butterflies - Doggy B Good- TieDye Monkey - Mead Rocks-  Air Cadets - Avon 

• A variety of food stalls catering for all tastes
• Little Legs Buses and Bounce will be attending for the children.
• FREE parking at Hassenbrook Academy field, access via Manor Road SS17 0NY

See you there!

Fancy being an 'extra' on the 11th July

There will be a film crew in the park on 11th July capturing what Hardie Park is all about. The footage will be used as a backdrop at the Locality Awards ceremony in November. If you would like to pop down please do between 1pm and 3pm. 

HOT OFF THE PRESS

A sneak preview of our Autumn/Winter dates!

Full details of timings and content to follow. 

Make it your happy place!

Out in the community we can all help in a small way to support those suffering with dementia. One easy step is to register with Dementia Friends online, watch their informative video and receive a badge to raise awareness. Register > here  The more of us promoting awareness locally can only be a good thing!

At Hardie we realise that our general understanding and patience could make a customer or visitor feel more comfortable dealing with tasks on a day to day basis. We have already been told by our regulars that our cafe is their 'Happy Place'. It is a great place to sit, chat and have company if you are feeling isolated at home caring for a loved one or suffering with the condition yourself. Come down for a coffee or tell a friend or neighbour that may be isolated to pop in. It can be your/their happy place too! 

Getting NEETS back on track

Jeanette from Forest School for All received a grant in January of this year from UnLtd, (The Millenium Trust)  to deliver a support programme for NEETS age 16-25 years. 'NEETS' stands for 'not in education, employment or training'. If you know someone who may need support to get back on track, needs some one to one time to find out what might be the next step in order to re-engage with work or education please contact Jeanette. It could be that you have found work but are struggling to stay employed. If so, get in touch.

There's a drop in workshop 10am on Thursdays at the park and it's a FREE service!

It may be that as a parent you would like to pop in for a chat to get the ball rolling and find out what support might be available. 

One of Jeanette's teens is currently creating art and craft pieces to sell at the forthcoming Artisan Market at the park. From the simple task of finding something that is engaging, Jeanette can work with young people to extend that idea and motivate them to expand their horizons. The grant received from UnLtd allows Jeanette to support clients in whatever way they might need to achieve their goals. Whether that be equipment, training, transport, uniform, exam costs the funds are in place to meet their needs. 

It's a local, personal service that is there to re-engage our young people. Sometimes we need a break to look at things differently or access some help and advice with an alternative approach.  Make the call to Jeanette or pop in to the cafe for a coffee and a casual chat. Call 07788 529505 or email jeanette@forestschoolforall.co.uk

Performing Parks Project update

Hardie Park's Rob Groves has been working with five other parks in the borough as part of the NESTA Rethinking Parks Programme funded by Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund.

Litter picks have been a popular route to engaging the community to take responsibility for their local parks. The uptake has been amazing with all ages getting involved.

Friends of Aveley and Kenningtons Park held an event at the end of May and raised £546. They arranged a Motorcycle Ride from The Old Ship in Aveley to Latchingdon near Chelmsford. BBQ, disco and a band played into the evening with fundraising activities over the course of the day. What a fabulous effort from the Aveley team. 

Bonnygate in Ockendon have planned a bounce day in the park subsidising the cost to the community with their NESTA funding. Just £1 per child for all day bounce and soft play. The team are encouraging the community to bring a picnic to the park on Saturday 3rd August between 12pm to 4pm. We really hope the local community embrace the idea and get inspired by the use of their park in such a positive way. 

Grays Beach, Lightship Cafe held a birthday event to celebrate two years of opening. Lots of activities were arranged at the end of May to entertain the local community and the volunteers were happy with the turn-out. Tribe by the Thames, forest school activities, bouncy castles, Chess challenge, a radio station in attendance and craft ladies at the park.

If you want to keep up to date with the Performing Parks Project and Rob's Blog click through here to the dedicated page on our website 

https://www.friendsofhardiepark.co.uk/performing_parks/