It's been a good start to the summer season for the Friends in the parks. Chestnut Sunday on May 11th was a great day out for all. Many members came in to say "hello" at our marquee. We had 21 new members join on the day, so welcome to the Friends to all of you.

The Water Gardens camera is now recording the restoration work and the occasional picture can be seen on our web site. It is not designed or able to be a live image, but the images will be used for archive purposes and the results will hopefully be run at the Visitor Centre when it is completed next year.

The Friends have received a most generous gift from Joan Freeman. Her husband Charles Dampier Freeman designed the Friends' logo in 1989 and we still use it today. He was a very distinguished artist, mainly working in watercolours and he exhibited regularly at The Royal Institution of Watercolourists in London. Joan has donated a lovely painting to the Friends by Charles called "Lime Trees in Bushy Park". At the moment it is hanging in the room at White Lodge where we hold our committee meetings, but will be moved to the new Visitor Centre for all to enjoy.

We have had some good walks and talks so far this year. Talks on wildlife photography, climate change, bees and flowers, deer and the history of Teddington. Walks have included our annual Mistletoe walk, a Friends and Little Friends walk, a bat walk and a walk through the Ham Riverlands. I would like to thank all our speakers and walk leaders for so generously giving up their time, and sharing their expertise and enthusiasm with us. Many individual reports appear elsewhere on this website or in the Friends' newsletter. We now have drinks available (for a modest donation!) at our talks at St John Ambulance Hall at 7.15 before the talk starts at 8.00. It seems to be a popular way for Friends to chat to each other.

Membership renewal was due in January, but despite setting up a Standing Order system, some past members still have not renewed. I would urge you to rejoin. Your contributions are so vital for helping preserve and promote these very special areas and to keep the parks the way we like them!

Pieter Morpurgo, June 2008