With the Easter holidays under way and finally some sunshine, it’s good to see people making the most of our parks and open spaces. It was great to reopen Whitehorse Rec yesterday following its £85k upgrade with a cash injection from the government’s Levelling Up Fund for parks and open spaces. I joined my cabinet colleague Councillor Scott Roche to see how we have used this government funding to work with the community, redesigning their neighbourhood green space as somewhere for residents of all ages to enjoy. The park has been transformed by better walkways, a revitalised community garden, a chalk wildflower meadow, new trees and carvings. This is exactly how I want us to work with our communities to maximise funding opportunities for Croydon and together, restore pride in our public spaces.
A huge thank you and very well done to everyone involved in the Oratorio of Hope, the opening event for London Borough of Culture, last weekend. It was a brilliant start to This is Croydon, and truly inspirational to see so much homegrown talent, particularly our pupils from across Croydon. Our year as London Borough of Culture is a chance to celebrate everything that is great about Croydon – most of all our residents – and to start putting our borough back on the map for the right reasons. It feels fitting that we are launching this very special celebration at spring, which is a time for new beginnings and when we traditionally look to the future. And on that note, I’d like to wish all those who are celebrating a very Happy Passover, and a Happy Easter.
Jason Perry
Executive Mayor of Croydon.
