Councillor David Williams, Leader of Merton Council, was a guest speaker at yesterday’s 10 years’ celebrations for Groundwork Merton, which was held at Morden Cottage, Morden Hall Park.

Other speakers were Steve Griffin and Laura Ward, Joint Executive Directors of Groundwork Merton, Councillor Judy Saunders from Cricket Green Ward, Ian Christie from Groundwork’s board and Jan Peek and Ann Oddy from Bond and St Thomas of Canterbury schools respectively.

Groundwork Merton is an environmental regeneration charity working to improve the quality of the environment, the lives of people and the performance of businesses in Merton and neighbouring areas. Since 1996, Groundwork has undertaken over 450 projects, improving 330,000 square metres of land (approximately the size of 80 professional football pitches) and involving adults in 8800 days of volunteering and young people in 3200 days of volunteering.

Councillor David Williams said:

“Merton has always enjoyed a very a fruitful partnership with Groundwork Merton, as they have an excellent reputation for community engagement and landscape design.

“Merton’s capital investment in Groundwork Merton delivers value for money, as they can obtain access to funding for projects, which council’s can’t.”

Steve Griffin, Joint Executive Director of Groundwork Merton said:

“We are privileged in Groundwork to be able to support some of the most deserving projects in the area, and to build links with hundreds of people who care passionately about their borough, be they young people, adult residents, or professionals, who are working to improve the quality of life.”