About Us
A Brief History of the Friends of Histon Road Rec (FoHRR)
Friends of Histon Road Rec (FoHRR) was set up by local residents 18 years ago, after a delay of 18 months in replacing playground equipment which had suffered an arson attack. The group was set up as a local community group interested in the beneficial use, enhancement and protection of the Rec, for all to use and enjoy. This references our current constitution.
The three main objectives of the Friends were:-
- To provide opportunities for the local community to be actively involved in their local Recreation Ground and park
- To act as a channel for Park users and the Friends’ members to provide feedback on the park to the Council and other interested organisations
- To carry out specific projects in partnership, or with the City Council’s approval, to enhance the park and it’s facilities. (such as Council Environmental Improvement Plans (EIP’s) or specific grant aided projects proposed by the FoHRR)
A brief summary of the things FoHRR have been involved with:
– Bird and Bat Box building event 03/07 and some of those boxes are still in existence
– Summer community picnics July ’08, 09,’11,’12,13 & ’17
– New play equipment, seating, additional facilities and planting in the park
– Installation of notice boards and surfacing of paths to the play area
– Development of entrance art sculptures in conjunction with local schools, creative designers, council and councillors 2014/15
– Lobbying for additional development of the play area – creation of mounds, and all weather surface football pitch, basketball practice area & climbing wall 2017 using ‘S106’ money
– lobbying for additional play areas in the Castle area, supported by council report which indicated that Castle had less children’s play areas /population than many other wards in Cambridge, which led to an increased play area at Darwin Green
– Table tennis table – 2017
– Grant applications for additional funds for specific projects / community events
– supported sowing of wild flower seeds in grassed area
– regular running of summer holiday activities for children delivered by CHYPPS (Children and Young People’s Participation Service)
Future Plans could include:
– Our aspirations include holding more community events, aimed at a range of local focus groups, including Children and Young People, Educational and Biodiversity, Family activities.
– fundraise for specific projects
– protecting the nature play environment in the park – ensuring that council landscape maintenance still allows dog walking paths around the perimeter and the Rec to become overgrown; also reducing natural climbing areas
– Individually and collectively engage with the Council, on the plans for the development site, to ensure it does not encroach or reduce the enjoyment of the recreation ground.
Pictured above: Playground equipment, Plan of proposed locations for new additions to the rec, having fun at a summer community event, poster promoting event at the Rec.
Pictured above: Tree and shrub identification trail planned,
Regular tree care & Maintenance in the Playground, Voluntary Tree monitoring and care in partnership with Council, Blossom and Nectar for bees, always work to do…clearing abandoned bikes!
What is the current position of FoHRR, in 2025?
In the recent past, many of the original issues that brought the ’Friends’ Group together no longer exist and there has been a general reduction of interest from others to carry on the work. That position has changed quite dramatically now. The City Council has encouraged the development of Friends Groups to support council recreation grounds which enables access to grants from various organisations.
Those same opportunities still exist today, as we re-establish and grow the Friends of Histon Road Recreation Ground.
Since March 2024, as we started working with the council on two new Environmental Improvement Programmes (EIP’s) we have sent out invitations to join the membership of FoHRR. Current membership, as of March 2025 stands at some 170+ registered members, and we still welcome new members. A further invitation will be published shortly. See Membership page for more details.
The planned AGM in May was ultimately deferred, and a Steering Group formed consisting of the remaining committee members, plus Malcolm Frew, who had been in regular negotiation with the City Council, on current maintenance matters, such as drainage, litter picking and clearance, and Biodiversity matters, such as Tree Safety. This has led to a very close relationship with many of the City Council departments, such as Parks Dept. Play Equipment and Parks Assets, Grass Cutting and Bins & Hedge cutting, Tree care and Maintenance.
Extending on that, we liaise with the Streets and Open Spaces office, and the ‘Bins and abandoned Stuff’ extending into the roads and streets surrounding the Recreation Ground. This has helped us in getting a timely response to such matters around and connected with the Recreation Ground.
The Future
Projects: There are two funded projects in the course of final development, prior to submission, and we are being consulted on these, prior to submission
We have our constitution (revised 2011). There is an active Co-operative Bank Community Directplus Account, which still has some £252.00 left over grant unused.
The Friends Group has enabled FoHRR to bid for funding, in the past, and we are assured specifically that that will be available to us again.