In 2009, my husband and I were looking for a new home. We were searching for somewhere that we felt safe enough to bring up our children in. We were looking for somewhere with a great community spirit. Somewhere that had lovely outdoor space but that had great transport connections. We had no idea that all of our boxes would be ticked when we attended a Family Fun Day at Raphael Park, in a small neighbourhood in Essex, called Gidea Park.
So where and what is Gidea Park? Despite it’s name it is not a park, but a neighbourhood in Romford, Essex. It has an amazing history and does have two fantastic parks within it’s boundaries but it has it’s own life, independent of the larger, more well-known market town that it is a part of.
Sometimes, people are guilty of not enjoying all that is immediately on their doorstep, and I am definitely one of those people. I have happily got in the car and driven for miles to have a picnic in a park, when I could have just walked for five minutes and enjoyed a green space near to my home that has exactly the same attractions, in fact it would have offered more.
Although I have said the area is not named after a park, Raphael (pronounced Ray-fel) Park and it’s neighbouring Lodge Farm Park are major hubs in the community and occupy in excess of an astounding 40 acres of the Greater London suburb. The summer programme overflows with activities for all ages in both parks and is a haven for escape throughout the year and a walk in the park on Christmas Day is a family must-do.
Everyone that lives here can enjoy the natural environment within the parks. Birds including swans, ducks, geese and cormorants have made this spot their home and the seven acre lake is open for freshwater fishing. There is a bug hotel to spot near the picnic area, and children try to find ‘Squeely’ the squirrel and his friends when taking the woodland walk. Sadly, Squeely doesn’t always come out to play, despite the rustling of a paper bag.
Gidea Park is a busy community, with sociable activities for all ages. The area is lucky to have it’s own Golf Club, Tennis Club, Rugby and Cricket Ground within it’s boundaries. There are sports and dance clubs, well-being classes, scout/guide group meetings and it even has it’s own fantastic miniature railway, built by some very willing and dedicated local volunteers! We are also very lucky to have a High Street which boasts a wide variety of independent restaurants, retailers and historical pubs.
So much goes on here and I am on a mission to get more involved and embrace the community that I live in. I hope to encourage family, friends, residents and visitors to enjoy the space and community immediately around us, that may be taken for granted. There is not ‘one voice’ that shares all that happens in and around Gidea Park and so this campaign aims to be that voice.
#letsgetgiddy
