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The Friends of
Bushy and Home Parks
Become a Member Make a Donation
The Friends of
Bushy and Home Parks
Become a Member Make a Donation
The Friends of
Bushy and Home Parks
Become a Member Make a Donation
The Friends of
Bushy and Home Parks

About Us

Founded in 1990, the Friends of Bushy and Home Parks (FBHP) is a registered charity, No.1137203. We are dedicated to the protection, conservation, improvement, and increased appreciation of the parks. We work with The Royal Parks’ and with Historic Royal Palaces’ management teams to achieve our aims. We are composed entirely of members, many of whom are our volunteers. We have no employed or full-time staff.

We organise activities throughout the year offering members the opportunity to meet in an informal setting. Our Talks are held at several venues in the communities around the boundary of the park; we learn about such things as local history, the natural world, and insights into The Royal Parks and Historic Royal Palaces. Our guided walks around the parks are unique opportunities to learn more about the management of these extraordinary wild spaces, and to access areas usually denied to the public. During the year we organise a monthly Introductory Walk to Bushy Park. Details and topics for talks and walks are advertised on the Home Page of this website and on posters in the Notice Boards next to the Visitor Centre at the Pheasantry in Bushy Park. Most of our events are free of charge and allow members to find out more about our work and to meet others who share our appreciation of these parks.

The Friends support both Bushy and Home Parks because until 1998 the two parks were managed by the Royal Parks Agency, then a government body. On 1 April 1998, the Historic Royal Palaces charity was created with responsibility for the management of Hampton Court Palace and Home Park. In March 2017 The Royal Parks was established as a charity with responsibility for eight of London’s largest open spaces, Hyde, The Green, Richmond, Greenwich, St James’s, Bushy and The Regent’s Parks, and Kensington Gardens. It also manages other important open spaces in the capital including Brompton Cemetery, Victoria Tower Gardens, Canning Green and Poet’s Corner.

Our Aims

Conservation
Protecting the parks’ characters, history, heritage, wildlife, habitats, woodlands, grasslands, and gardens for future generations to enjoy.

Public Education
Promoting appreciation and awareness of the historic and environmental significance of the two parks, to enhance public enjoyment of the parks..

Fund Raising
Raising funds for projects to enhance the fabric and features of the parks, which are not part of the parks’ general maintenance programmes or capital projects.

Public Issues
Promoting free public access. Representing users of the parks, liaising with The Royal Parks and Historic Royal Palaces, advocating and campaigning to influence changes in public policy as these affect the parks. Opposing planning applications which are harmful to the parks.

Communications
A quarterly Newsletter, a website and a Facebook page. Production of publications about the parks to inform and educate visitors. An annual programme of walks and talks.

Visitor Assistance
We operate the Visitor Centre at the Pheasantry on behalf of The Royal Parks.

We operate a free electric buggy shuttle service on behalf of The Royal Parks, between the Diana car park and the Pheasantry car park, during the summer months for visitors who need help. The service runs on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday between 11a.m. and 4p.m., weather permitting and subject to volunteer availability.

Volunteering

Volunteers operate the Visitor Centre at the Pheasantry; produce the quarterly newsletter; organise a programme of walks and talks; edit and maintain the website and Facebook presence; prepare educational materials and publications; operate the electric buggy shuttle service; assist with planting days in the parks; support the organisation of Chestnut Sunday; and staff the Friends’ stalls and presence at park events, such as Nature Days and local community events.

Volunteer Coordinator – Elizabeth Malone
Email: volunteering@fbhp.org.uk

All our volunteers receive an induction session and a uniform to wear on duty. Further training and experience is provided.

The key to being a successful Friends of Bushy and Home Parks volunteer is very simple; you just need to like other people, to love our parks and enjoy helping visitors to enjoy and respect the parks, too! We hope you will consider joining our team.

Governance

Our committee of trustees are responsible for oversight and all significant decisions regarding Friends’ policies, finances and operations.

The Trustees:

Chair – Colin Muid
Colin Muid has been Chair since March 2016.

President – Pieter Morpurgo
Pieter Morpurgo was Chairman from 2007 to 2012. Pieter undertakes the scrutiny of planning applications affecting the parks.

Vice Chair – Barry Purdon
Barry Purdon is Vice Chair, the Appeals Coordinator, represents the Friends on the Safer Parks Panel, and is the Friends’ safeguarding officer.

Treasurer – Adrian Heywood
Adrian Heywood ensures funds and accounts are properly controlled and arranges for their inspection to meet Charity Commission requirements.

Secretary – Fred Squire
Fred Squire ensures that the Friends’ operations are in accordance with its constitution and Charity Commission rules.

Minutes Secretary – Iris Hawkes
Iris Hawkes records Friends’ formal meetings.

Volunteer Coordinator – Elizabeth Malone
Elizabeth Malone manages the Volunteers who operate the Visitor Centre.

Visitor Centre Manager – Sue Robertson
Sue Robertson manages the contents of the Visitor Centre including publications, displays, and commercial activities.

Trustee – David Ivison

Trustee – Claire Ivison

Public Relations, Newsletter Editor & Trustee – Jeannie Edwards

Membership Secretary & Trustee – Susan Hugill

Walks and Talks organiser – Rebecca Harvey
Rebecca took over organising the talks programme in May 2021. To Register for events please email walksandtalks@FBHP.org.uk or send suggestions for future topics.

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