WITH crunch council meetings this week, campaigns to save cherished services are springing up across the area as the cuts start to bite.
MARYON WILSON PARK
Maryon Wilson Animal Park is at risk of closure if Greenwich Council agrees to withdraw its £42,000 funding at Wednesday’s council meeting.
More than 3,200 people have joined a Facebook petition organised by Save The Animals of Maryon Wilson Park group (STAMP).
It will be presented to councillors at the meeting.
The Charlton park has one full-time employee and is home to deer, sheep, goats and pigs.
Founder of STAMP Claire Mullord said: “We feel the animal enclosure is one of the distinguishing and defining features of the area.
“Its loss would be far-reaching and extremely detrimental to the area and community”.
A council spokeswoman said: “There are no changes to the animal park in Maryon Wilson Park at this time.
"However, in a bid to protect essential frontline services the Council, faced with record breaking cuts from the Coalition Government of £63m, is keen to reduce areas of subsidised expenditure wherever it can.
"Therefore over the next 12 months, the council proposes to engage with all those who have expressed an interest in the park to determine whether there is a sufficient level of community interest to increase local involvement in the park and eliminate the subsidy.”
A petition has been set up over fears that Greenwich Council will withdraw its entire £72,000 grant to an arts centre.
Staff at Blackheath Halls are concerned the grant could be axed from April, giving them no time to organise alternative funding.
The halls host music, tea dances, events for young people, exhibitions and theatrical performances.
An online petition calling for the council to keep the funding has so far been signed by 1,489 people.
To sign the petition visit gopetition.com/petition/42829.html
A Greenwich Council spokeswoman stressed no decision has yet been made on the halls’ funding.
Greenwich’s longest running festival could be cancelled after the council withdrew its funding.
2010 was to be the Plumstead Common festival’s 33rd year but now that it has lost more than £2,000 organisers fear for its future.
Entertainment coordinator Sarah Harper said: “The rest of our £6,000 funding has always been from the sale of stalls.
“No-one has ever made money from Make Merry - it’s always been a labour of love."
Organisers are meeting in the next few weeks to decide a way ahead and a benefit night is planned for April 16 at Plumstead Common rugby club.
If you can help the festival visit plumsteadmakemerry.co.uk or contact the Facebook group.
A spokeswoman for Greenwich Council said: “Grants budgets are still subject to discussion and representations continue to be made to the council’s scrutiny committee.”
RELATE
Lewisham councillors were expected to agree cancelling a service offering free counselling for poor families last night.
The £26,000 contract for Relate Bromley’s services is not due to be renewed this year.
Relate has counsellors based at family centres across the borough.
Manager Mary Blair said: “Relate’s counselling has given families the chance to talk openly, build their self esteem and overcome big problems, such as leaving abusive relationships and seeking support for drug addiction.
“I don’t know what these families will do when the counselling is withdrawn.”
For information on the charity visit relate-bromley.org or call 020 8315 1999.
A campaign has begun to keep a track and gym open for public use.
Last month, Lewisham Council called for sports and community groups to step forward and run Ladywell Arena, Silvermere Road, and its facilities for 10 years.
Now regular users have banded together to make sure private sports groups do not take it over.
They are holding a public meeting tonight (Mar 2) at St Mary’s Church, Lewisham High Street.
A Facebook page has also been set up called Petition to save Ladywell Arena.
Management company Parkwood Leisure’s contract for the site runs out in October.
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