The friends of Tothill Park - These are random images from the site gallery

Tothill Park is a green oasis of some 6.73 hectares in the St Judes area of Plymouth. Generally bounded on the north and east by Lanhydrock Road, Cleveland Road and the railway line to the south and Egerton Crescent to the west, it provides a wealth of facilities for both local residents and the wider Plymouth population - it is a vital part of the community. The friends of Tothill Park is a group of local volunteers who share a common interest in revitalising the park and bringing it into the 21st century. Our aims are: Regenerate the park and the surrounding facilities. Provide a safe environment where users may exercise, socialise or take time out to relax. Provide a park and facilities for all members of the community regardless of race, gender, age, religion or disability. Explore means of funding to maintain and improve the park. Improve the park environment through re-planting whilst encouraging local wildlife. We are always looking for other people to join us in making Tothill Park a more enjoyable place. Please click on Help the Group in the How To menu on the left to find out some of the many ways in which you can contribute.

The Friends of Tothill Park are fighting the Northern Bypass!

We are against any new road passing through the St Judes area and will resist plans to get one built! You can click here to see what we are fighting against and then click here to add your signature to our anti bypass petition. The address of this web site is www.tothillpark.co.uk - Tell a friend and ask them to sign the petition!   Recent news from the park (showing 8 of 53 published articles) If you would like to be informed whenever we publish a fresh news story, click this link and join the mailing list. Have your say on Tothill Park re-generation? Published by - Phil Published on Wed 20th Aug 2008 @ 11:42 GMT  The FOTP committee meet every month to discuss with Plymouth City Council the progress of the re-generation of our park, would you like to be part of that team? If so we are looking for like-minded people who can commit some spare time to help ensure our aim for Tothill Park to be returned to it's former glory is fulfilled. If this sounds like you then please contact us through the website and we'll give you details of our next meeting. We look forward to hearing from you. Would you like to make a real difference to Tothill Park? Published by - Phil Published on Wed 20th Aug 2008 @ 11:38 GMT  The FOTP committee would like to invite all park users and members of the community to help us during our next programmed "working morning". We will be meeting outside of the bowling pavilion adjacent to the FOTP noticeboard at 10:00 on Saturday 30th August. We aim to tidy up the pathways around the park and remove weeds from them. The "working mornings" take no longer than 2 hours but anytime you can spare will be greatly appreciated and also it will give you a chance to discuss the park improvements and the next phase of Tothill Park re-generation. We hope to see you there !!!!! Teenage Zone Near Completion Published by - Phil Published on Mon 04th Aug 2008 @ 13:02 GMT  The FOTP Committee are delighted to announce the completion of Phase One of the re-furbishment of Tothill Park with the installation of the "Teenage Fitness Zone". The zone now consists of the Multi Use Sports Arena (MUGA) adjacent to the community centre, the re-furbishment of the basketball court and the installation of various fitness apparatus. The FOTP committee decided from the onset to allocate a large proportion of the funding awarded to us to provide teenagers and young adults with facilities which cater for them. As a result of many months of talking to this age group and feedback from various youth organisations this equipment will go some way to demonstrate our commitment to them. Although aimed mainly at youths these facilities are there to be enjoyed by all age groups, to recognise this milestone in Tothill Park's re-furbishment programme it will be officially opened by the Council on Wednesday 6 Augt 08, please come along and show your support. Multi Use Games Arena (MUGA) completed. Published by - Phil Published on Sun 30th Mar 2008 @ 11:08 GMT  The FOTP Committee and Plymouth City Council (PCC) are delighted to announce the completion of the re-developed 5-a-side court which had fallen into disrepair over the years. This facility has been provided using the latest technology and enables football, basketball and urban hockey to be played in a safe environment, whilst being over 80% quieter than the previous court and more vandal proof. The Chairman of FOTP said " I'm delighted this important asset for our local community has been re-developed, it had fallen into disrepair over the years and was a danger to anyone who used it. Through numerous public consultations and feedback from young children and youths it was highlighted as a high priority for our committee to address. With the help of PCC we have delivered on one of our promises and have provided a state-of-the-art facility which has already proved very popular with a wide age group". The MUGA is a significant piece of the Phase One re-development of Tothill Park which, when completed this year will provide a new basketball court, an outdoor fitness suite, a youth shelter and play facilities for older children. Eastern Corridor Published by - Pat Published on Sat 01st Mar 2008 @ 13:18 GMT  A question that is often asked by residents who are confused by the need for the, ‘Northern and Southern Routes’, is why do PCC need to make such big changes to the transport system to the east of Laira Bridge. There seems to be some confusion over the size of the developments planned for Sherford and Plymstock Quarry. There are 5,500 dwellings plus shops, schools and other supporting services planned for Sherford, which will make it a town more than double the size of Totnes, which had a population of just over 8,000 recorded at the 2001 census. Plymstock Quarry development is planned to have 1,600 dwellings plus all the support services required. With a combined total of over 7,000 dwellings, and an increase in population of over 20,000 on the east side of the River Plym, it means a huge increase in traffic coming into Plymouth. The PCC website has the details of the planning applications for both developments and these can be found at:- www.plymouth.gov.uk on left of page select; Environment and Planning on left select; Planning on right select; Planning Online and in the boxes that appear, fill in, Sherford or 06/02036/OUT Plymstock Quarry or 07/01094/OUT and all the details of the developments are available East End Transport Community Liaison Group Published by - Pat Published on Sun 24th Feb 2008 @ 09:34 GMT  Held Monday 28th January 2008 Minutes made available 20/02/08 The group was brought up to date with happenings since the last meeting, including confirmation that the application for the Sherford Development would go to Plymouth’s Planning Committee at the end of February. Because Sherford falls within two Planning Authorities, the development also needs planning permission from South Hams.br /> PCC have already met with the local bus operators to get their views and input, as to how the transport scheme would work. There was no mention of any one else other than bus operators being asked for their views or even to attend. When PCC were asked how questions and issues raised by members of the public were processed, the system was explained to the group. All questions and issues raised by the group or members of the public, were recorded in the Issues Register, a report is prepared from this register, and put before the Scrutiny Committee of the Council. The Issues Register is updated from the answers and decisions given by the Scrutiny Committee and the Register will then be made available. The question of a Light Rail Transit as part of the Transport Strategy was raised, but was dismissed as being too expensive. The whole Transport Strategy is based solely on channelling the increased road traffic from the new developments to Plymouth City Centre coming either from Deep Lane, down the A38 and along Embankment Road, or across Laira Bridge to join either the Southern or Northern Route onto Exeter Street. If the environmental study that is currently being carried out on the Southern Route, makes the Northern Route the preferred option, then traffic would be routed onto a new build road, that would use the existing railway line along Tothill Park to Friary Park. When it was explained that between 5000/6000 tons per month are moved on the rail line from Laira and Cattedown Wharves, the group was told that the intention is to retain the rail link to Cattedown Port FoTP will continue to keep residents informed as soon as information becomes available, as FoTP are the local organisation who are prepared to put resident’s views to the PCC and to make public the answers. No to the Northern Bypass! Published by - Rob Published on Thu 07th Feb 2008 @ 11:54 GMT  Over the last few weeks, The Friends of Tothill Park have become aware of a groundswell of opinion rising up within the local St Judes community against the building of the new "Northern Bypass" to carry traffic from the forthcoming Sherford development into Plymouth. Any such road would clearly have a devastating effect not only on Tothill Park but also on the entire St Judes area. A major road carrying the traffic that is currently routed along Embankment Road through the middle of a quiet residential area and community parkland would cause massive noise and pollution to park users and residents alike. This week workers have been seen surveying parts of the proposed route and this has prompted the FOTP into voting on our official position. The committee vote was unanimous against any such proposals for the Northern Bypass. We are now firm in our stance against the Northern Bypass and hope to act as a focal point for all those who hold similar views. In our first move we will now attempt to force the council into holding a local public meeting where residents and interested parties can put questions to Plymouth City Council transport department and the transport planners and show them that any plans to impose this road on the community will be met with firm resistance. Moves are already in place to make this happen and as soon as we have a date for the meeting we will publish it here. In addition we hope to raise a petition against the route that we can present to the council at some future point. In order for this to be successful we need as many people to sign it as possible and would ask you to stand with us and support us in our efforts against the road by signing the petition. You can find the petition by clicking here . Clearly there will be much to report on progress over the coming months and we are certain this will be a long and drawn out process with the council hoping that time will dim the perceived effects of the road. If we are to be successful in our fight we need your support. We would ask that you join our mailing list so that we can inform you directly of any developments and make you aware of the nature and timing of any protests that may occur in the future. To do that please click here Plymouth City Council website link for the proposed Sherford Community road infrastructure. Published by - Phil Published on Thu 10th Jan 2008 @ 04:35 GMT  Ladies & gents, We have had many concerned local residents enquiring about the the proposed road lay outs and how they will affect us, please find an image below that shows the possible Northern Bypass Route. Please also be aware that PCC is currently looking at several options and no decision has been made but we will keep you informed of the progress in our news articles. You can also click [here] to visit the plans page where you can see all the originally proposed routes but please be aware that most of the other options have already been discarded leaving scenario 7 (as the picture above) and the more expensive (includes a new bridge over the river but essentially the same) scenario 8. There is another scenario not shown in these plans which is the Southern Bypass Route but this is currently least favoured.    See all archived news stories (53 published articles so far) ... If you would like to be informed whenever we publish a fresh news story, click this link and join the mailing list.  Questions asked on the friends of Tothill Park web site On Wed 09th Jul 2008 @ 18:11 GMT, Hevs said this: When is your next friends of tothill park support/committee meeting that anyone who cares for the park and its upkeep can attend? Your diary page is not clear (it appears there are no meetings throughout July and Aug and I assume this is an error?). Hope to hear from you soon so I can offer my support, kindest regards, Hevs On Tue 15th Jul 2008 @ 23:01 Pat replied with: Due to various reasons, the FoTP have lost some of the members of the committee. We would be delighted if new members came forward and offered to take up the challenge. If you email: committee@friendsoftothillpark.co.uk I will gladly give you details of our hopes and plans for the park. On Sun 06th Jul 2008 @ 20:37 GMT, audrey kearney said this: Hi, I noticed the work going on near the old basketball area in the park and was just wondering if this was part of the plans for the regeneration of the parks facilities ? I would also just like to say that I think the work by yourselves to improve Tothill Park is fantastic and long may it continue. Yours sincerely, Audrey On Wed 09th Jul 2008 @ 21:07 Phil replied with: Audrey, The work which has just commenced at the top end of the park, adjacent to the basketball court is for the new "fitness zone". There will be a outdoor fitness suite, the basketball court will be relayed and seating installed. In addition to this a large web climbing frame and cantilever swing will also be fitted. Also Network Rail will be replacing the old fencing along the entire length of the pitches as it is deemed no longer fit for purpose. We hope the facility will be completed by the end of August. On Mon 26th May 2008 @ 20:14 GMT, Rob Sawyer said this: I am a member of Meriton Road Park in handforth (Cheshire). We are thinking about getting a park noticeboard. Please can you tell me about your noticeboard and how you went about ordering one (and at what cost)? Thanks Rob On Tue 27th May 2008 @ 09:30 Phil replied with: Rob, Our noticeboard was made by members of the Royal Navy and DML as a gesture of their appreciation for the work the group is doing in the community. However be warned a noticeboard is a magnet for vandals and graffiti artists who have done their upmost to destroy it. All we would suggest is make it out of robust matrials which can be easily replaced. Ours is made from marine plywood and thick grade perspex, we have had to replace the perspex a couple of times but we are determined to keep the noticeboard in the park as it is an invaluable source of information for the community. I hope that helps and good luck - let us know of your progress...... On Fri 28th Mar 2008 @ 11:47 GMT, Joanna Sinclair said this: Could you please tell me where I can locate an aerial plan for the proposed Northern Bypass? Many thanks. On Fri 28th Mar 2008 @ 16:23 Phil replied with: Joanna, Thankyou for your enquiry, unfortunately the FOTP Committee are only privy to the information which Plymouth City Council (PCC) has made public, if you use the link on the this website it will take you directly to the PCC website which may give you the information you require. Good luck.......   Ask a question or leave a comment  See all previously asked questions etc