The evening included an impressive musical interlude from Enfield mayor Margaret Greer

Bush Hill Park Residents’ Association (BHPRA) celebrated its 90th anniversary with a special event last night (Thursday 25th) – including an impressive karaoke performance from the mayor of Enfield.

At the association’s annual general meeting, held at Raglan School, members were treated to a presentation on the organisation’s long history, going all the way back to 1935.

There were also short speeches from special guests Edmonton and Winchmore Hill MP Kate Osamor and Enfield mayor Margaret Greer, who then delighted the audience with superb renditions of the Bill Withers song Lean On Me and Ben E. King’s Stand By Me.

Before the musical interlude, BHPRA chair Derek Wheeler addressed the audience and said: “Bush Hill Park 90 years ago was a very different place, but the area has maintained its community links, and that makes it still such a really nice place to live.”

Kate Osamor MP was invited to give an update on her activities in parliament. She also congratulated BHPRA on their 90th anniversary and said: “We are really fortunate to have a residents’ association like this in the area and I am grateful for all the work you do behind the scenes.”

Committee member Andrew Lack then gave a presentation looking over BHPRA’s history, including its founding document signed on 5th December 1935, when the organisation was known as Bush Hill Park Ratepayers’ Association.

The Second World War interrupted the nascent group’s activities, and it was not reformed again until the 1950s. BHPRA was also in danger of folding in the 1980s, but survived and was eventually able to build a large membership.

This century, BHPRA has led on local campaigns including saving the 377 bus route which serves the area and introducing new road safety measures on the A10. It also now organises regular litter picks, maintains flowerbeds in old horse troughs, and makes donations to small groups and charities including local foodbanks.

Finally, Cllr Greer took the microphone. Before belting out two classic hits from years gone by, she said: “It is an honour to be here to celebrate an extraordinary milestone. This is a remarkable residents’ association and it is a wonderful achievement, standing with strength and unity through 90 years of change.

“I want to thank you for your partnership, your passion and your persistence.”

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