HISTORY
The Alexandra Park Friends (known until 2014 as the ‘Alexandra Park Forum’) was set up at a public meeting in May 2010. It arose from a series of informal meetings set up by the Greenway Lane Area Residents Forum following comments about various problems and issues relating to the Park at one of their annual general meetings. The organisations and groups represented in these informal meetings were –
Parks Department of Bath and North East Somerset Council
Beechen Cliff School
Local residents
Avon and Somerset Police
The Alexandra Park Bowls Club
The Bath Petanque Club
The local councillors
Later a representative of the Allotment Association joined.
In 2010 it was decided that it was more appropriate to separate these meetings from Greenway! and to set up a ‘friends’ group with its own constitution. This proposal was approved at an open public meeting in May 2010.
The group has adopted the following aims to guide its work –
Purpose (Why do we exist?)
To keep Alexandra Park as an attractive, well maintained, distinctive green space with outstanding views over Bath and the surrounding area; accessible, used and valued by all sections of the community.
Aims (What are we trying to achieve?)
Maintenance
1. To have the park maintained to as high a standard as possible taking account of the resources available;
Liaison
2. To facilitate the resolution of problems and issues that impact on the character, condition and maintenance of the park s through liaison with BaNES and other organisations;
Improvements
3. Consistent with its character, to enhance the park through –
a. sustainable improvements to the planting/horticulture;
b. community supported affordable improvements and additions to the features and facilities;
Communication
4. To communicate with the local community and other users.
Other activities
5. To organise and undertake appropriate activities in support of the other aims.
The Friends holds a public meeting once a year to report on activity, to talk about future plans and to receive feedback.