The story of Burgess Park – the book is available on line to buy. The book covers the history of the area before the park and early development of the park up to the year 2000. Tim Charlesworth – The Story of Burgess Park (Original Paperback Edition, 2000) | eBay UK. The book was published by Groundwork. All proceeds to FOBP.
FOBP is restoring the small islands on the lake. We are replacing the buoyancy and replanting. The islands will help with oxygenation of the water and be a refuge for lake waterfowl.
In November 2025 one of the small islands was returned to the lake. The new buoyancy is the foam filled pipes around the island, replaced coir mat and new plants. The plants will dieback in the winter but regrow in the spring, protected by the wire cages.
We will monitor the island over the winter. We have another island to restore with new buoyancy which will be returned to the lake in spring 2026.
FOBP AGM Tues 28 October 2025 6.30-8.30pm at 1st Place nursery, Chumleigh Gardens, with refreshments from 6.00pm. Or online Zoom.
Come to the Friends of Burgess Park AGM!
Hear from our guest speakers Dominic Leary new Parks Officer and Ciaran Hawkins the new Head Gardener. Both joined Burgess Park in 2025. They will update on new park projects for 2026 and answer your questions.
AGM – FOBP committee election – We need new committee members – Support your local park an important inner city green space, vital for local people and nature.
As a committee member you will help to run the organisation; our aims are to protect, promote and enhance Burgess Park. We do this by speaking-up on behalf of the park, promoting the wildlife and nature, and organising practical park based activities.
Projects to get involved in:
Everyone is more than welcome! FOBP is a community group open to park users, local residents, volunteers, local groups and reps from TRAs and other organisations with an interest in Burgess Park. Please come along!
Join us at 1st Place nursery, Chumleigh Gardens on Tuesday 28 October 2025 from 6pm for a 6:30pm start until 8:30pm. Read more about the annual reports and changes to the constitution.
We look forward to seeing you.
Accessibility information
This event is held in person and with an online link via Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/922520020?pwd=NHkwbHFOckpPZW5OOHR6aHJQMCszUT09
There is step free access to 1st Place nursery and children’s centre. There are accessible toilets. We will be serving non-alcoholic drinks and snacks.
Location – What three words: https://w3w.co/supply.trip.wake
At our 2024 AGM Liam Nash the borough ecologist presented on Burgess Park biodiversity. See Liam’s presentation.
Butterfly habitat management project – Albany Road woodlands
Join our woodlands maintenance session Sat 27 Jan 11.00 to 3.30 we will be clearing brambles and coppicing to enhance the woodland glade in the Albany Road woodlands. Please book here.
This volunteer woodlands maintenance is the first phase of the works to open-up the woodland glades by coppicing and bramble removal. Southwark Council will organise this volunteer work session.
The second phase will be run by Big City Butterfly Project, who will employ a contractor to; de-turf, remove roots and sow the area with a meadow mix within the glade which we will create.
This is part of the Friends of Burgess Park healthy woodlands project. We have also been awarded funding from the Southwark Council Cleaner Greener Safer fund for a new pathway. Find out more about Burgess Park woodlands.
Join Friends of Burgess Park for LITTER PICK MONDAYS 8-9am
Meet in Chumleigh Gardens.
Litter pickers and gloves supplied.
Celebrate the Grade II listed building and it’s benefactor Passmore Edwards.
This year marks the 200th anniversary of Passmore Edwards’ birth on 24th March 1823, and Friends of Burgess Park is joining with others around the UK to celebrate the Passmore Edwards 200 Festival. We’ll be holding a programme of events based at the old library, baths and washhouse on Wells Way on Sunday 26th March. There’s an exhibition about the man and his legacy, children’s activities, a commemorative tree-planting, and a reading by local author Jacqueline Crooks from her new book, refreshments and more.
Bike Tour 2-4pm We’ve also organised a short Bike Tour around three of Passmore Edwards’ south London buildings, guided by a renowned local architect. You can book now for the bike tour 2pm to 4pm on Eventbrite – places are limited to 25, so book early!
Commemorative Tree Planting 4.00- 4.30pm- Across the country Rowan trees are being planted to celebrate the Passmore Edwards bicentenary, join us from 4pm for the tree planting and reading by local author Jacqueline Crooks from her new book Fire Rush, and refreshments.
Exhibition 1-5.30pm – Find out more about Passmore Edwards with an exhibition on loan from the Passmore Edwards legacy. Plus more about the old library bath and washhouse building its history and future role benefitting local people.
Join us on the following dates:
Saturdays – Jan 28th / 11 Feb / 28th Feb and 11 March 11-2pm
All welcome, dress for the weather and woodland work. Booking fee will be reimbursed on attendance. Book here Burgess Park Woodland Maintenance | Eventbrite Booking fee reimbursed on attendance.
Michael Faraday primary school art work for anti-litter banners
Thank you Year 3 pupils (summer 2022) and for helping litterpic. See the banners in Albany Road near Giraffe House and Wells Way near the old library.
FOBP weekly litterpic Every Monday morning 8am to 9am
FOBP provide litterpics, gloves and bags.
Meet at Chumleigh Gardens – in the gardens behind the behind the cafe.
Thank you Southwark Mayor Cllr Barrie Hargrove for the 2022 Discretionary Award for Friends of Burgess Park’s “ongoing & successful commitment … thinking of the park’s welfare first and foremost”. Massive thanks to all our volunteers, past, present, & more importantly, future ones. Join us!
