The Royal Parks Guild’s aim is an important one – championing London’s Royal Parks and those places previously managed by the Royal Parks – by promoting their qualities, including horticultural excellence and historical significance. We provide practical support where appropriate.
Allied to this is the service to our members through a social network of events, activities and communications.
The Royal Parks Guild evolved from the discussions of a group of people who remembered, with great affection, their time spent working within, or being associated with, some of the world’s most famous and historic urban parks, i.e. The Royal Parks of London and decided they wanted to devise a way of creating a network and thus, The Royal Parks Guild was launched in 2006 at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show with Alan Titchmarsh CBE DL VMH HonFSE as our Patron.
From the beginning, members wanted to be part of a network to be kept informed of news about the Royal Parks, former colleagues and others associated with these iconic green spaces. They all had one thing in common – a desire to assist in keeping these centuries old parks at the forefront of horticultural and cultural excellence – continuing to be a part of the life of these special and much-loved places.
For some this would take the form of becoming a volunteer, maybe to help with the work of the Guild, or assist those caring for the Royal Parks, e.g. by becoming a volunteer expert, a ‘Park Champion’, or perhaps, supporting apprentices through helping at the Guild’s apprentice/trainee ‘Discovery Days’ or contributing to post apprenticeship mentoring/training.
Some have taken on the role of researching and recording the history and heritage of the parks, some giving talks, taking part in online events or contributing to the monthly news updates. Others simply wanted to keep in touch through social events (visits to places of interest), with the opportunity to meet other members of the Guild and parks staff. Very early on a newsletter was started, which has now become an online e-bulletin and continues to be sent to members by email or in some cases by post.