On Monday 10th June a non-turf cricket square will be installed in Deptford Park.

This new facility will be open, accessible and FREE to use for all. The square is financed by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and brings a significant investment to the area.

Alongside this, Platform Cricket, a project to engage young people in Lewisham set-up by Lewisham born cricketer Daniel Bell-Drummond, aims to run after-school activities and will hopefully provide a new home for Deptford Dragons - a Deptford youth team.

What is a non-turf pitch? It's a flat artificial all-weather pitch that measures 30m x 3m. It has been tailored to provide an even surface to hone batting and bowling skills. It's also a pitch for anyone to use and have a knock about.

The pictures above show a similar pitch recently put in at Hilly Fields. The new pitch will be installed by Notts Sports who have been working with Lewisham Council's Green Scene team and Glendale's Sports Development Team. In due course the area surrounding the square will be levelled to provide an even surface for all. Thanks must also go to Platform Cricket, ECB and DeptfordFolk committee members.

England and Kent Cricket legend Colin Blythe was born in Deptford and maybe in a few years time there will be another Deptford born cricketer to celebrate. With the 2019 Cricket World Cup being held in England at the moment we hope to see people from all ages inspired to use the new facility.

This Friday 14th June (postponed from June 7th due to rain!) Deptford Park will again host a cricket festival organised by Platform Cricket. Last year 400 year 4 children from 13 different local schools batted it out in a tournament that saw a team from Turnham Primary crowned the winners. Spectators welcome.

Lewisham Council have launched a greening fund for the borough. The fund is financed by a levy on developers to upgrade existing green spaces. The fund is open to community groups across the borough. Find out more HERE.

On Saturday 8th June, Lewisham Council cabinet member for Green Spaces, Cllr Sophie McGeevor, alongside Green Scene council officers, launched the fund in Deptford Park.

Cllr McGeevor also officially opened the community orchard in the park which was financed by the GLA and contributions from S106 funds.

Our chair Trina Lynskey shared our experiences of Evelyn200, the community orchard and our other funding successes. The event was attended by residents and other green focused community groups from the Lewisham borough. Big thanks to Evelyn Parents Forum for hosting in Deptford Park Playclub.

If you have an idea for a green space in Deptford or an idea that can improve parks please get in touch as we have the structure required to apply. Deadline 25th June 2019.