It was a pleasure to meet parents as their children delighted in trying out the new play equipment at Selsdon Rec and Purley Way Playing Fields. These are the latest in a series of borough-wide parks improvements, where we are using money from development to enhance our local parks and green spaces. Find out more about all our other new playgrounds in Canterbury Road and Whitehorse Recreation Grounds and Park Hill Park. It is my intention to continue with this important programme of playground upgrades, so that as many as our young children and families as possible may benefit.
Croydon is proud to be home to more under-18s than anywhere else in London – and we work closely with community and voluntary groups to give them opportunities to thrive. It was great to be at the launch of Legacy Youth Zone’s ‘Our Lasting Legacy’ strategy this week, and to see the reach and influence they have had on young people -13,000 young people have signed up as members since it launched. We look forward to continuing to work together to enrich the lives of our young people, and ensure that every young person can become the best version of themselves.
I am much saddened to learn of the death of Tracey Davis, a beacon of our local community sector who worked tirelessly to help those in need. As founder of Guiding Hands, she set up food programmes to help and support young mums in need. She was always ready to work with others, and to help people in any way she could. Her energy and compassion will be missed by so many. My deepest condolences to her family.
I was honoured to meet members of the Windrush Generation Legacy Association (WGLA) at their coffee morning this week. It was an opportunity to celebrate the great role the Windrush Generation has played, and continues to play, in our borough. Their contributions are the fabric of our community and I am always in awe of their grit and determination to build a life here in the face of great adversity. The elders and other guests made good use of my time and turned the event into a Mayor’s Question Time!
Speaking of which, my next Question Time event is at St Augustine’s Church in South Croydon on Wednesday 29 May, at 6pm. It remains my priority to listen to your views, so please book your place online.
Have a good weekend.
Jason Perry
Executive Mayor of Croydon
