Donors hold key to the park's future as Merton fails yet again on funding
Above: Dutch Garden and main entrance beds - lost because of Merton's budget cuts.
VOLUNTARY donations of £100 in return for life membership of the Friends of Cannizaro Park were given the go ahead by the Annual General Meeting at Cannizaro House on 10 June.
The subject arose following an individual proposal by Friends founder Eveline Hastings who moved away from Wimbledon some years ago. Single payments of £100 or more would mean an end to future annual subscriptions for those concerned. These are not being increased for the time being so life membership will be equivalent to 20 years subs.
The move comes as the Friends adopt an increasingly important role in the future of Cannizaro Park. Merton Council, like other local authorities, is now relying on voluntary groups to help fund parks as it cuts budgets or switches resources. The Council’s decision to axe bedding plants in its parks has already forced the Friends to agree to joint funding in order to save the Sunken Garden. Unless we help future finance - from reserves, donations or grants - Cannizaro will decline further.
Sadly, despite extensive preparatory work by the Friends, Merton has failed to match our commitment to joint 25% of the funding for an initial application to the Heritage Lottery Fund. We had intended to work in partnership for a substantial grant that would have ensured the park’s long-term future as an English Heritage listed garden. If approved in full, it would have covered the cost over ten years of restoring the park to its condition when privately owned in the 1920s.
A Merton spokesman said: “The Council, as you are aware, are reviewing their financial position and at the present do not have the resources in the short or long term for this project. Any consideration for financial support will need to be considered in the Capital Bids for 2008/09. This can be prepared subject to your decision to continue with the HLF bid and to fully fund the first stage.
“It is not possible to advise at this stage, and it is suspected that Merton will not have the resources to meet the 25% (or substantial part) of the proposed cost.”
The Friends Committee will now be discussing how best to fund the essential replacement of fencing for the park, part of which is a priority for security reasons. This is in addition to the Sunken Garden commitment.
As well as the £100 life membership offer, the Committee is now appealing to members for donations of at least £10 a head while freezing subscriptions. These could be dedicated towards specific projects such as plantings of beds or supporting arts or other events.
Enormous thanks are already due to one member who has made a truly generous £1000 donation.