Latest news from your local park

Rethinking Parks Programme

Hardie Park has been recognised as a successful park that demonstrates excellent potential for changing the way that a public space is used and managed. Rob Groves is leading the Performing Parks project in Thurrock and is working with five other parks that have the potential to create a similar model in their area. A package of learning and support will be created over a two year period in order to spread the approach and empower local communities with the management skills to ensure sustainablility. This is an innovative project, part of NESTA's national 'Rethinking Parks' Programme funded by The Big Lottery Fund and Heritage Lottery Fund.

Exciting times ahead for Thurrock communities. The park projects we are working with are Bonnygate in South Ockendon, Aveley Rec, Daisy Fields in Tilbury, Gobions in East Tilbury and Grays Beach. If these are areas close to you and you would like to get involved with the project then please contact Rob Groves on 07803 295374. (Rob Groves pictured with Chris and Tiffany from NESTA)

A bench with a view...

The perfect time of year to install a new bench in memory of the park's friend Dean McGaughin. It is perched on the top of the hill surrounded in autumn leaves with a great view of the park. We hope our community sit for a while and enjoy the view. A second bench will soon be installed near the petanque terrain.

When the bikes appeared...

In September our park was graced with bike art. If you are still wondering what it's all about here's a few words from the artist:

'Like all art they are open to interpretation by the viewer and will hopefully trigger different emotions. As a keen cyclist as well as an artist and ex police officer, I became fascinated by the vulnerability of cyclists, make reference to the 'ghost bike' phenomenon and hope to touch on the broader emotions through this and my other piece of current work FragileMan such as mental health, homelessness etc. Please check out my social media pages Chris Scott Artist or www.chrisscottarist.com

Studying art or enjoy drawing?

There's a new Art Club at the park suitable from age 14 years to adult . A great club for anyone studying GCSE Art, covering methods of drawing from reference and using techniques to create realistic images with graphite pencils and colour. In time the group will move on to using photoshop on a mobile to create images for reference. lt will also look at painting onto body/ face and use horror effects make up. Any further art related info please call Nikki Canham 07783 502735 who is running the club.

If you are interested, it's on Tuesdays from 7pm to 8.30pm - £3.50 per session - no need to book.

Spooky hunt: Dress up if you dare

It's our annual Halloween Hunt at the park this weekend, Saturday 27th October between 11am until 3pm. Dress up if you dare!  Tickets are on pre-sale in the cafe, £2 per entry. There will also be bouncy castles providing unlimited bounce with a £5 wristband. Our cafe fayre will be available throughout the day and local stallholders will be on site too.

If you need to drive to the event, Hassenbrook Academy have kindly agreed for us to use their car park. Just £2 to park all day. Entry via Academy gates on Hassenbrook Road entrance SS17 0NS. (access to park on foot just a few minutes walk). We hope to see you there!

All change!

We mentioned last month that the cafe was undergoing a re-furb. Volunteers and local trades have been busy in the cafe stripping and filling walls, building a new counter area and we've had a wood burning stove installed which is sure to keep you toasty throughout the winter months and save £££'s in fuel bills. It's work in progress but we are moving in the right direction. Thank you for being patient on the days we haven't been able to offer a full cafe service. Watch this space :0)

Christmas Cinema in the Park

So we 'put it out there' last week that we were planning an Elf screening in the park and we've had a fabulous response. Sooo much interest in our festive family screening. It's on Friday 30th November and doors open at 5pm for a 5.30pm start. We'd love you to dress up for the occasion! Tickets are available online to be picked up in the cafe between 9am and 4pm before the event. The marquee in the park will have heating so don't panic about freezing in your seat, you can always bring a blanket too. Remember to bring your chairs with you on the night. Here's the link to reserve your spot. Use the code PAYONCOLLECTION if you prefer to pay in the cafe.

Ticket prices include popcorn:

£8.50 to reserve online and pay on collection

£9.00 to reserve and pay online including booking fee

£9.50 on the door subject to availability

BOOK HERE

Gain new skills at the park

We were invited to take part in the Jobcentre Jobs Fair in Grays this week. Many job seekers are looking for experience in the workplace, opportunities to extend their skills base and sometimes just a foot in the door to a new career.  We were able to speak to them about the opportunities Hardie Park can offer. If you have a few hours spare or would like to enhance your CV with a volunteering experience please get in touch. You can call our Volunteer Co-ordinator Pam on 07714 661888, apply online or pop into the cafe for a chat.