26/6/25

Dear Friends,

Attached are the notes of last week’s two meetings, with the WSCT one also below.

Dates for your diaries:    Sunday 27 July – FOWWS Dog Show

                                                Thursday 18 September – FOWWS AGM

Faye and I attended the meeting of the Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust Committee, where we were both duly co-opted as non-voting members for the coming year.

There were some important items, but it was one of the shortest and least controversial meetings I remember.  Here’s our report:

Law Enforcement Team (LET)

LET staff spend more time on the Scrubs than any other open space.  There was the usual report of their activities, and their engagements with users, including dog-related issues. 

Dangerous vehicle and motorcycle usage,  any other crime or anti-social behaviour, and especially threats of violence, should be reported directly to the Police on 999 (if an emergency) or 101.  

It is helpful to notify LET of any such police reports, and this is best on LET...@lbhf.gov.uk

Events

The very successful Nature Day in May, initiated by FOWWS, and led by Kate McVay of IdVerde and RSPB, with support from WSCT, attracted more than 100 participants.

The next event is the 4th annual FOWWS DOG SHOW will be on July 27th the last Sunday in July, and remain a friendly family event, but be a little more ambitious in terms of extra attractions – including a bouncy castle – than in previous years. 

Biodiversity Masterplan:

The procurement process is continuing and tenders are expected in late July, to be followed by the process of evaluation, with work possibly starting in January 2026.

Kensington Aldridge Academy on the Red Gra Parade Ground

The Department of Education have decided to end their lease and remove the portacabins, which will take some months with a target end date in late November.  This reflects the decision to take down Grenfell Tower in a cautious manner such that the adjacent school will be able to operate throughout.

The income loss for WSCT, from the time of removal being completed, will be considerable,  about £366,000 a year. 

Discussions are taking place with the planning authority (OPDC) and the Ministry of Defence (who have some overriding rights) about retaining a hard surface and the utility infrastructure installed for the temporary school.  This is so that the area will be more useful for events such as filming, or parking for major events elsewhere, and other good income-producing purposes.

Faye and Stephen suggested considering a regular Farmers’ Market;  and also that it was the ideal location for an Ecology Centre (possibly in collaboration with Imperial College);  and perhaps even for residential accommodation for one or more Wormwood Scrubs Rangers, a long-held ambition for the Scrubs. (and see next item)

Park Lodge

This small house near the Old Oak Common Lane junction with Braybrook Street, was now unoccupied, and in such poor condition, including foundation damage from vegetation, as to be deemed unrepairable.  Future use for the site is to be considered, but it was approved to seek the costs of demolition.

It was not thought to be a good location for building, being adjacent to ecologically sensitive areas, and the Old Oak Common HS2 Station.  Return to nature is one option.

Braybrook Street Play Area Improvements

Only one bid came in for the first phase, the under-8s area, and is being assessed. 

It may make sense to wait for bids for the over-8s and invite joint bids.  Timing is therefore uncertain.  

It was agreed that some shade should be provided, as well as a lengthened access path.

Linford Christie Stadium improvements

The portacabin changing rooms and surrounding hoardings are completed, and will be there for at least two years. 

There are ideas for a café and more accessible toilets next to the north-facing main gate. 

Kensington Dragons artificial pitch work is running ahead of schedule, and should be ready for use in August.

There are problems with re-surfacing the track because of undulations and dips, needing further investigation, with Thames Valley Harriers being kept closely informed.

Finance

The year to April 2025 will show a useful surplus because of deferred expenditure, which will move into the current year, which will therefore show a deficit.  A reasonable sum of about £2.4m  is forecast to be carried forward, but the combination of lower interest rates and the loss of Kensington Aldridge rent will be a challenge in future years.

With best wishes

Stephen Waley-Cohen