Bucket & Spade Work in Fulham

Local residents have persuaded Hammersmith & Fuilham to re-create a Victorian beach in Bishop's Park. Parks development manager Rob Kelly said: "This idea came from the park's supporters, and it's proof that, by asking people what they'd like, it can work out in the real world. "We've unearthed photos that show what looks like a real bit of seaside beach which was nicknamed 'Fulharn's Margate Beach' - as a bit of a joke, I suppose. It was 100 years ago, and it existed in the long stretch of parkland beside Fulharn Palace Road." "The idea is to use remains of the old layout to re-create that scene. With all the right safety features, this will be a unique project," said Mr Kelly. Amanda Lloyd-Harris, the chair of Bishop's Park Residents' Association is growing impatient, however. She said residents were tired of waiting for the long-delayed funding to come through from the council. "Perhaps at last, after so many consultations, we are getting to crunch time," she said. "We've got to have action now and no more words." ClIr Paul Bristow , the cabinet member for residents' services, endorsed the practice of involving local people in plans for improving the parks. He said there were some costly projects in the pipeline where getting local ideas was vital. "Just for a start, there will be £3.3 million to spend on new avenues and tree-lined spaces for Shepherd's Bush Green," he said. "We're getting as many ideas in from the community as they can generate. I believe this way we get the parks that people really want." Another part of the "democratic parklands" scheme is to make the borough's parks less feared. "People become intimidated by street drinkers and youths hanging about," said ClIr Bristow. "We're all keen that people aren't frightened to go in areas that should be for relaxation." As a result, the friends group in Margravine Cemetery in Hammersmith has started an action plan, moving railings, restoring stonework and opening up old pathways. Mr Kelly added: "There are more and more of these schemes. It's a whole heap better than blokes in grey suits sitting in offices and trying to have good ideas."