Summer 2024: music & fun in our park
Hooray! After a very wet July, it looks like the English summer is finally living up to its name - a sunny August is here.
The HRUA programme of summer events has so far delivered not one, but three brilliant "Music in the Park" gigs - with Grimsdyke Brass, Harrow Steel, and the Portobello Jazz Band entertaining park music lovers while the sun shines.
As well as the music, we have been treated to homemade cakes and refreshments from HRUA's fantastic Bake-Off knock-offs.
Supporting the headline acts, we have enjoyed local talent: the Derek Hart Collective from Build on Belief, which supports recovering addicts; and the Harrow Community Gospel Choir, who rehearse in the park's Green Pavilion.
Last, but by no means least, The Harrow U3A Ukulele Group treated us to their first outdoor performance (today Harrow Rec, tomorrow Glastonbury!)
BUT THE SUMMER ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME IS NOT OVER!
Your HRUA team is all-hands-on-deck preparing for September's Fun Day, which will feature music from the Harrow Concert Band, yet more cake, and lots of fun family activities, including "Wild Science" (up-close encounters with a insects, reptiles, and small mammals) and, for the first time, a children's bouncy castle.
See the Events Section below for more details of this and other activities and events in the park.
STOP PRESS!
As you walk around the Rec' you will often see "the Green Team" - gardeners from Harrow's Parks Department - out and about maintaining the sports pitches, emptying bins and keeping the park looking great.
The leader of that team, Mark Richardson, is a familiar figure in his van, and he talked to harrowrec.org.uk about his life-long love affair with our park.
Who We Are
The Harrow Recreation Ground Users Association (HRUA) is a voluntary group of park users who organise around 10 free events in ‘The Rec’ each year, open to all.
We act when needed as a support and lobbying group on behalf of park users, and we aim to work in partnership with other park groups and clubs, and Harrow Council to make sure that the facilities in the park can be enjoyed by all.
Our governing documents and minutes are published online. You can follow the links below to see them, or to join our work.
Around the Park
Take off your earphones, turn up your senses, and enjoy our beautiful trees, lawns, gardens and wildlife.
You’ll find all the usual park facilities at ‘The Rec’: football and cricket pitches, tennis and basketball courts, children’s playground.
In the Ahimsa Peace Garden you can enjoy the tranquillity of the fenced Quiet Area or meet friends or hold a party in the Picnic Area.
You can get fit at two outdoor gyms, use the covered area for your outdoor events (free booking required), and get refreshments at the popular SEVA Cafe.
Clubs & Activities
There has been a bowling ground at the Rec since its earliest days, and Harrow Bowling Club was formed around 1902.
The Rec is also home to Harrow St Mary’s Youth Football Club and the 3-Bridges Cricket Club.
Activities open to all include:
- Harrow parkrun (Saturdays 9am by Harrow St Mary’s Pavilion);
- Tai Chi for Health (Fridays 9:30 to 10:30 near the café or on the Basketball Court);
- Group Exercise (Tuesdays 9:45 to 10:45 near the Tennis Courts or on the Basketball Court);
- and Harrow Health Walk (Fridays 10.45 meet outside the café).
Volunteering
HRUA runs about ten events each year - free for all to join and always very popular - and the help of our supporters is essential to organise and run these.
The Harrow Rec Community gardeners meet twice per month to help keep the park tidy and beautiful, and safe for all users - working in conjunction with the Harrow Council Green Team.
Our regular book sales are a great way to ‘recycle’ books, and raise valuable funds for our programmes and activities.
We also work with Harrow Council in planning and completing improvements to the park infrastructure and facilities
Upcoming Events & Team Activities
As well as our teams working in the park each month we have organised some exciting events for you and your families to enjoy throughout the year...
Watch out for updates on our “friends” Facebook group, as events may be rescheduled or cancelled.
Sunday, 6th Oct
10.30 until 12.30
Autumn Tree Walk
Meet our trees and get to know them, with our expert dendrologist John Wells
Free walk. Meet at the Hindes Road gates
Sunday, 6th Oct
10.30 until 12.30
Autumn Bug Hunt
Meet at the canopy next to the café, and expert entomologist Simon Braidman will guide you in finding and identifying tiny wildlife.
Free event for children and parents/carers.
Friday, 27th Sept
10am to Noon
Macmillan Coffee Morning - At Harrow Bowls Club
Come for coffee, its for Macmillan - So everyone facing cancer can have a Macmillan team in their corner.
Everyone Welcome
At Harrow Bowls Club
Regular Events, Groups, & Team Activities
Here are some events and activities that take place in our park, every week "come rain, come shine". Why not come along and join in, no invitation necessary. Send us an email, or check our “Friends of Harrow Rec” Facebook group for more details.
Monthly, on first Monday and fourth Friday
From April 'til Nov 2-4pm
Garden Team
Calling all gardeners! Never mind the weather or the season, we meet for digging, planting, tidying, taming, sweeping and litter-picking.
Whether you are green-fingered or all thumbs you will be welcomed, there are jobs to suit everyone, and fun and companionship besides.
Find us either at the "Green Pavilion" (near to the Cafe and Bowling Green), in the Ahimsa Peace Garden (near the basket ball courts), or out and about in the park with spade, secateurs and broom!
Monthly, on last Wednesday
11:30AM-1:00PM
Good Neighbour Reconnection Club
Join Age UK at the Sevacare Cafe in the park, every last Wednesday of the month for some fun, chat and activities as we reconnect with each other and the community!
Please feel free to get in touch and RSVP with us on 020 8756 4391 or email
Each Friday,
9.30 until 10.30
Harrow Tai Chi for Health
We are a community group who are actively promoting the joy of practising tai chi in the open parks for health and general well being.
Our Harrow Rec sessions are 9.30am to 10.30am every Friday morning and they are free and full of fun. Hope you will make new friends and have an enjoyable one hour of fresh air, gentle exercise, tranquility and mindfulness with us.
We meet near the green canopy by the cafe or in the basket ball at 9.30am. We look forward to seeing you.
Each Sunday,
9-12am
Tennis Sessions
Harrow's LTA tennis partner, Premier Tennis, run coaching and free tennis play sessions in the park on a Sunday morning, with coach Akash on hand to help and advise.
Just check the following link for availability and booking, and then turn up with your racket and your energy.
Each Saturday, 09.00
Harrow Rec parkrun
parkrun is a free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event that takes place at thousands of venues across the world.
Parkrunners run, jog or walk our 5k course at their own pace.
More information can be found on the Harrow parkrun website
Each Tuesday,
9.45 to 10:45
Group Exercise
aka "bootcamp". Join our exercise group out in the fresh air every Tuesday morning. And then, maybe stay on for a friendly chat in the cafe afterwards.
Meet on grass, near to the tennis courts - or the basketball court.
Each Friday,
10.45 to 11.15
Harrow Health Walk
Supported by Harrow Council and Harrow Recreation Ground Users Association.
Join us every Friday at Harrow Recreation Ground for an invigorating walk, focused on wellbeing and engagement.
Meet at the Sevacare park cafe.
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