CPUG’s public meetings provide a forum for park users to raise questions, discuss issues and hear about developments affecting Clissold Park. Discussions cover a wide range of interests and topics, including the playground, trees and wildlife, dogs, sports and activities, events, facilities and the future management of the park.

Everyone is welcome to attend, contribute to discussions and suggest items for the agenda.

Minutes from previous meetings are available in the meeting archive.

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>> Take a look at the Read the June/July 2026 newsletter →

July 2026 AGM and Meeting

At a glance

• AGM: Alexandra Hamit was re-elected as Chair. Theresa Boden was re-elected as Vice Chair. John Hudson was elected Treasurer, replacing Caroline Millar, and Chloe Rollscane was elected Secretary.
• New representatives: Chloe Rollscane became Café Rep and Eleanor Phee became co-Children and Young Persons Rep. Cycling and Fundraising Rep positions remain vacant, and CPUG is also seeking a co-Website Rep.
• Fundraising: Possible future projects discussed included a bleed kit and a new plaque for the fountain.
• Café access: Fink’s provided an update on accessibility and signage. Hackney Council is producing new map signage for Clissold House.
• E-bikes and crossing: CPUG agreed to ask the Council for an update on revisions to the proposed crossing design.
• Biodiversity: Birdbox locations are to be mapped. Water levels in the New River, possible riverbed cleaning and further water lily planting were discussed.
• Park animals: Work continues to improve the aviary. CPUG will return to the question of reintroducing goats after the depot and playground works.
• Playground: A design has been prepared following earlier feedback. A six-week Council consultation is expected after the summer.
• Splash Pad and paddling pool: Problems with the Splash Pad and the future of the former paddling pool area were discussed. CPUG will raise further questions with the Council.
• Noticeboard: The CPUG-funded new backboard and locks have been installed.
• Cycling enforcement: Police stop-and-advise events were planned for 30 July and 12 August, with CPUG seeking an additional weekday morning session.

AGM

Attendees (that signed in)

Officers/Reps: Alexandra Hamit (Chair), Theresa Boden (vice chair), John Hudson (co-vice chair), Caroline Millar (Treasurer), Hilde Oord (Fundraising Rep), Paul Brennels (Over 60s Rep) and Daphne Steele (Dogs Rep)

Park users: Cyndi Diamond, Eleanor Phee, Betty Manning, Lesley Lawson, Chloe Rollscane, Theresa Rarer and Ann O’Callahan

1. Apologies:

Isabelle Gore, Rachel Maguire (Website Rep), Amir Dotan (History Rep) and Shelagh Prossner.

2. Minutes of previous AGM 2025:

Available online

3. Chairs Annual Report

Not provided..

4. Election of Officers

Theresa Boden nominated Alexandra Hamit and she was re-elected as Chair.

Chair nominated Theresa Boden to continue as Vice-co chair and she was re-elected.

Caroline Millar stood down as Treasurer.

Chair extended thanks to Caroline for her many years of dedication to CPUG

Chair nominated John Hudson and he was elected as Treasurer.

Chair extended thanks to John Hudson for taking on Treasurer role.

Chloe Rollscane self nominated and was elected as Secretary.

Chair extended thanks to Chloe Rollscane for taking on Secretary role.

Park User Reps

Yvonne Hill and Hilde Oord (Fundraising Reps) again expressed a desire to step down once the positions are passed on.

Chair expressed desire to enlist a co-Website Rep.

When asked, the following did not express interest in stepping down: Richard Crawford (Biodiversity), Amir Dotan (Park History), Daphne Steele (Dogs), Ed Hall (Skatepark), Lucy Carter (Runners), Paul Brenells (Over 60s), Sarah Kissack (Waste Management), Ruth Spencer (Disabilities and Accessibility), David George (Tennis), Emily Robson (Children and Young People) and Sally Hall (Park Animals).

The following have agreed to volunteer: Chloe Rollscane as Café Rep and Eleanor Phee as co-Children and Young Persons Rep.

The following roles are still vacant: Cycling Rep and Fundraising Rep.

5. Accounts:

Treasurer Caroline Millar reported accounts 2025- 2026

Caroline Millar expressed the need for the group to spend some of the money in the account. John Hudson extended thanks to those involved in the fundraising for the defibrillator. Alexandra reminded the group of recent expenditure on restoration of the noticeboard, and defibrillator installation, aswell as ongoing costs for meetings document printing, purchases to increase biodiversity, and the annual defibrillator maintenance which the group is responsible for, all of which will be reflected in the 2026/7 accounts.

Alexandra and Caroline informed the group of other sources of income, birdseed sold at Fink’s and tea towels sold at Know & Love. Theresa informed the group that Stoke Newington Bookshop are willing to sell our teatowels and possibly CPUG greetings cards, and volunteered to lead negotiations with the bookshop and artists Anna Hymas, to produce and sell a new design of teatowel. Group discussed quality of teatowels and possiblities of changing the material currently used.

Fundraising Rep Hilde Oord asked group for suggestions on fundraising. Attendees mentioned a Bleed Kit, and new plaque for the fountain.

Action: Theresa to contact Anna and SNBS regarding teatowl design and sales. Alexandra to chase Quinten on plaque.

Ordinary meeting

Park Keeper’s Report

Not supplied.

Chair’s Report

Cafe access

Alexandra gave statement from Fink’s on café accessibility and signage, and informed the group that the council are producing map signage for Clissold House, showing entrances, etc

Action: Alexandra to keep up to date with signage design and installation.

E-bike Campaign/Crossing Consultation

Group discussed progress made over the last few months and agreed to an email to the Council, asking for an update on the crossing design revision

Action: Alexandra to liaise with campaign team on email wording.

Biodiversity

No update on sluice works quote. Birdbox locations provided and to be made into a map for maintenance and observation purposes. Group discussed sapling watering, and the London Fire Brigade filling the New River during a past drought, and asked if this could be done again. Suggestions to clean the river bed while water levels are low. More water lilies will be donated by Paul Brennels.

Action: Alexandra to chase sluice quote, information on New River water level controls, look into river bed cleanup and to create birdbox map. Richard to plant water lillies.

Self-Closing Gates

On-going situation and problems with self-closing mechanism trials explained.

Action: Alexandra to chase next steps.

Park Animals

Group invited to join the efforts, and given update on petition and progress to improve the aviary, including introduction of more foliage and perches. Warning of ticks being found in the park. Question on whether goats will be reintroduced. Discussion on ongoing works currently taking place in the park perhaps being the reason a decision has not been made on the goats. Group told of a fire spotted in the park and informed that the Parks emergency number in CPUG email replies no longer connects. Group instructed to call 999 if they see a fire in the park.

Action: Park Animal Rep Sally to pick up the conversation with the Council regarding the goats once the depot and playground works are completed and update emergency details.

Defibrillator

Installed on Splash Pad building.

No further action.

Playground Renovations

A design has been drawn up based on feedback received earlier in the year and the Council are in the process of developing the consultation materials which should be published at the end of summer and will run for six weeks.

Action: Children and Young Persons Reps Emily and Eleanor to keep updated.

Prohibited action signs

Alexandra has revisited the issue of a design flaws causing plastic slow cycling signage to tear within days of installation, with the Council and is awaiting a response. Discussion on more signage regarding the prohibition of fishing on the lakes and outdoor picture frames for lake railings.

Action: Alexandra to keep updated. Alexandra to check current signage around lakes and look into signage holders.

Paddling Pool/Splash Pad

Group informed of CPUG statement on paddling pool closure. Questions asked on what the shortlist of options for the Paddling Pool area are. Group informed of problems with the Splash Pad, delays in its opening and read a statement from Hackney Council which came after CPUG made enquiries into the maintenance and testing of the Splash Pad. Group discussed Council “maintenance free” reassurances given when the Pad was being designed, warranty on parts questioned and frustration on Splash Pad toilets being closed while Pad was not functioning.

Action: Alexandra to attach CPUG Paddling Pool Statement to railings, and put questions on the shortlist and toilets, to the Council.

Park Keepers Lodge

Alexandra sent email to Georgie enquiring on progress of depot renovations. Problems locating staff reported and subsequent discussion on the multiple areas and park staff having to cover, possibly being the reason they may not always be visible/present in Clissold Park.

Action: To be kept on agenda while depot renovations are completed and once staff vacate the lodge, questions on l planned future use, will be put to the Council.

Quote for Noticeboard

New backboard and locks funded by CPUG have been installed.

Action: Alexandra to liaise with Park Rep Georgie Brown on key handover. Meeting on planned contents of noticeboard and updates of emergency contacts etc to be arranged.

Hackney Mosaic

Issues with establishing contact with Hackney Mosaic discussed, problem possibly due to correspondence being sent from the CPUG email and maybe arriving in a junk inbox.

Action: Alexandra to resend email from personal address.

CPUG Representative Openings

Group informed that we would like to recruit a Cycling Rep, co-Website Rep and Fundraising Rep.

Action: Alexandra to advertise positions

Fountains and Drains

Issues with sticking taps discussed. The last repairs were not successful, so the water supply to one tap has been turned off and the Council hope this will resolve the problem.

Action: Alexandra to keep updated.

Hackney Parks rep Georgie Brown

Discussion on Georgie attending a meeting and issues with work schedules preventing that. Group informed that the Hackney Parks Forum is currently reviewing the User Group to Hackney Council Protocol to make it more realistic for all involved. Suggestion to replace Park Rep compulsory meeting attendance, with councillor attendance.

Action: Alexandra to reach

AOB

Duck Ramps

Request for more ramps.

Action: Biodiversity Rep Richard to look into ramp installation.

One O’Clock Club

Attendee informed the group that the 1 O’Clock Club rules have changed and you now need to be a resident of Hackney and have booked to attend.

Action: Children and Young Persons reps Emily and Eleanor to get more information

Police Stop and Advise Cycling Events

Group informed of events taking place on 30th July and 12th August, where Police will be stopping speeding cyclists and people riding E-bikes able to reach illegal speeds. CPUG have asked for a similar event to be held on a weekday at peak cycling times in the morning, and were told by the Council that this would be possible.

Action: Alexandra to arrange a suitable date with the Council and the Police.

Upcoming CPUG Dates

Litter Pick
Saturday 29 August, 10am
Meet at the Clissold House toilets.

CPUG Meetings
Saturday 12 September
Saturday 14 November

To join Clissold Park Users Group

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