In our latest councillor’s column, Hannah Dyson reflects on her first year at Enfield Civic Centre

Hannah Dyson was elected as a Conservative councillor for Whitewebbs ward in May 2022 (credit Enfield Council)

Time flies when you are having fun and the last year has been one of intense excitement and learning.

At 4am on 6th May 2022, I took the W8 bus home to Whitewebbs ward having been freshly elected along with David Skelton and Reece Fox. My bus journey presented an opportunity to reflect on such a momentous occasion and on my new responsibilities.

A 50-minute nap was all I needed to recharge, and a few hours later I attended the Friends of Gordon Hill gardening session led by Alison Yates, a hard-working volunteer and musician. Alison gave me a tour of the station; we discussed the work of the group as well as future plans.

I also enjoyed attending the outdoor cinema event Singing In The Rain and I was invited to the unveiling of a station map illustrated by artist Camilla Charnock in which I gave a speech, read my poem dedicated to the station – Gordon Hill – That’s Mr Hill To You – and presented the framed maps to demonstrate my support for such a fantastic community group. My poem is now on display on Platform 2 waiting room.

I’ve since launched a petition calling on Network Rail and the government to provide disabled access at Gordon Hill Station and for improved services on Great Northern trains.

I was delighted to take part in The Enfield Society’s blue plaque trail and am now used to school groups standing outside my house learning about local history!

I was proud to attend Crews Hill Residents’ Association’s coronation party and it was fantastic to judge the children’s fancy dress competition and see everyone enjoying Gillian’s Riding School pony rides, egg-and-spoon races and singing with gusto to the Lavender Belles!

Over the last year, I’ve attended ward surgeries; ward forums; litterpicks; walkabouts at housing blocks such as Bliss House, Purcell House and Manor Court; and meetings of Four Hills Residents Community Forum, Cape (Carers and Parents in Enfield), Crews Hill Residents’ Association, Friends of Forty Hall and Bulls Cross Study Group, to listen to people’s concerns.

I’ve also been working with the chair of St John’s Caravan Park on Theobalds Park Road on a number of issues such as missed bin collections, trees and council tax and, working with the Third Age Project, I’ve helped a disabled resident and their carer about to be evicted from their home.

Through my support for the Friends of Forty Hall group and their London In Bloom bid, I have learned all about flowering plants of typical 17th Century gardens, such as the giant thistle and agave Americana. It has also presented an opportunity to address some of maintenance and process issues for the estate.

Forty Hall Estate has some extremely knowledgeable and passionate volunteers who are an asset to the community and are truly cherished. I relish walkabouts with Jo Ann Brown, Andrew Newman and council officers and I’m looking forward to the official opening of the pergola in the walled garden and for the ancient wall to be fixed in October.

Finally, it fills me with anger that Enfield Council can even consider leasing Whitewebbs Park to Tottenham Hotspur. I am delighted that the community is fighting back with such veracity and seeking a judicial review. Exercising our writing, diplomacy and communication skills, Whitewebbs councillors drafted and presented opposition priority business on Whitewebbs Park at a full council meeting and we will continue to fight alongside the community every step of the way.

Hannah Dyson is one of three councillors for Whitewebbs, alongside David Skelton and Reece Fox (all Conservative). Ward residents can get in touch:
Call 0208 132 0564
Email [email protected]

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