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Dear Coram’s Fields Users,
 
As you may be aware, Coram’s Fields has a large marquee on the west lawn every November and December which helps the charity raise a substantial amount of much-needed income.
 
The marquee is powered by diesel generators which are situated in the park for the duration.
 
The user group would rather not have the marquee – it damages the west lawn and is for adults.

In addition, and since more detailed scientific information has come to light about how damaging diesel fumes can be, especially to children, we have complained to Coram’s Fields that it is not acceptable to have diesel generators in a children’s park.
 
Last year, CFUG asked Coram’s Fields management to measure the amount of pollution in the park during this time. Gradko provided Coram’s Fields with the equipment and instructions to monitor the pollution in the playground whilst the marquee was there. The monitoring was also done for the month of January, after the generators had gone, as a control.
 
Gradko gave Coram’s Fields a basic summary of the findings. Coram’s Fields shared these figures with us, and Bloomsbury Air also reviewed them. The figures haven’t had bias factors incorporated and we have to be careful interpreting the data as there is a large potential margin of error on the figures.

However, we can safely say that there is a significant increase in NOx (generic term for the nitrogen oxides that are most relevant for air pollution) in the nursery area and an even more significant increase in the playground when the diesel generators are present.
   
CFUG has always been unhappy about the marquee, especially with respect to the diesel fumes being emitted into a children’s playground.
 
Coram’s Fields management have been working to find alternatives to the diesel generators, but this is taking too long – we don’t want diesel fumes in Coram’s Fields again!
 
We are mindful, due to year on year cuts in council support (since austerity) and challenges with generally reduced funding, Coram's Fields needs our help to find alternative ways to generate funds. We all care about Coram's Fields and CFUG is committed to working with the Executive and Trustees to help them pro-actively find alternative forms of sustainable annual funding.

Together, there is so much we can do!

To help us work together, we are suggesting that you write to Georgia Gould, leader of Camden Council, your local councilors, as well as your local MP to make them aware of what is happening, ask them to do what is in their power to stop it, and ask them to help Coram’s Fields with alternative sources of funding so that any gaps in funding are covered.

Please see below a link to help you find your local councillors:
https://www.writetothem.com/
 
Please contact us with your thoughts on this issue, if you have any ideas about power supplies or fundraising for Coram's Fields: coramsfieldsusergroup@gmail.com


Kind regards,

Charlotte Lamont
Chair - Coram's Fields User Group
 

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