Councillor Bernadette Lappage, Labour member for Jubilee ward

In our latest councillor’s column, Bernie Lappage champions the park at the heart of Jubilee ward

When I was asked some weeks back to write this column, I instantly thought of Jubilee Park and all the amazing community work that takes place there. Little did I realise then how much we would all be valuing this work over the next few months ahead, with the challenges we now face.

Many communities that visit Jubilee Park came together last June in ‘Jubilation’ to celebrate the park’s 80th year anniversary. The sun shone and Enfield Brass Band played for us, as well as two ukulele players who sang songs from the Second World War – music from the era when the park was born. We had support from Enfield Society and Edmonton Rotary to run the event and the the ward police officers arranged for vintage cars and police horses, which the children loved. The fire service also brought their engines along, which caused great excitement for all ages!

A dog show run by Jubilee Park’s dog training club raised funds for a dog activity trail, which is now planned for the park. This club offers dog training classes on Saturday mornings and has helped enormously to support dog owners and others to fully enjoy the park. Funds were also raised for a defibrillator which is due to be installed shortly. In normal times, other activities in the park include the walking club on Tuesday mornings and Edmonton FC offering football on Thursday evenings and Sundays.

Enfield in Bloom offered support in donating money for plants and local residents have created a rockery bed, which adds such beauty to the park. They also helped us plant crocus bulbs, which Edmonton Rotary donated, and we had great fun doing that on a very rainy day with local school children.

Jubilee Park has been transformed from a former brick-making factory to a lovely green space and, on any spring evening, you can see it being enjoyed by all the generations. So many people love this park; it is a focal point for residents to come together and a place of great beauty. The community spirit is inspirational and we salute all the volunteers for the work they do.

We are already witnessing how the local community has stepped up to support the most vulnerable within our community during this difficult time. Happy days will be here again and we must remember that we are always stronger than we think we are. Take care of yourselves.

Cllr Lappage is one of three councillors representing Jubilee, alongside Alev Cazimoglu and Nesil Caliskan (all Labour).
Call 07812 673 095
Email [email protected]

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.