Chair's update: December

Tom Walker, Chair

November saw one of the most important annual public events that we're responsible for – the Remembrance Sunday event at the War Memorial at the heart of Abney Park. We were joined by nearly 100 people to hear poetry readings, music performances, choral singing and a haunting open-air Last Post. Attendees also gave generously and together we raised £312.50 for War Child. Our artist in residence, Lynn Dennison, recorded proceedings as part of her ongoing project capturing the life of Abney.

This sort of event is what I want the Trust to do more of: working with local artists and the community to use the wonderful open space for inspiration and creativity.

Regular visitors to the park will see that restoration work is progressing now. The chapel scaffolding is going up as I write this. There was no lament for the final dismantling of the old classroom portacabin at the High Street entrance: in what turned out to be our very last Board meeting there in February 2020 (just before lockdown), the mice showed no inhibitions, scuttling across the floor as we held our meeting. It will make such a difference to have some proper community buildings for use by everyone once the restoration is complete. I think the inevitable disruption is worth it.

We held our Annual General Meeting at the end of November, and our accounts were approved: thanks to members of the community who joined online to ask good questions and recognise the work of our team. The annual report and accounts are on our website.

Our monthly community litter pick has been going from strength to strength. If you want to join us then the details are below or on our volunteering page.

We have got some great events this month in the wintery park. William Hone is one of the most important historical figures buried in Abney Park. Find out more about his amazing life and story, which was also celebrated in the 2018 play by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman.

Finally: if you want a seasonal soundscape, last year we teamed up with audio pioneers Radio Lento to record Christmas morning in Abney Park in 3D audio. Now's the perfect time to listen again.

I will write again in January. Thank you for all your ongoing support for the work of the Trust.