As the year draws to a close, it is a good time to reflect on all that we have been able to enjoy again in 2022.
While the pandemic highlighted that the Heath is an invaluable resource for health and wellbeing, 2022 has reminded us of the joy of sharing this open space with others, taking part in community and sporting events.
We had a strong start to the year with the English National Cross Country returning to the Heath in February. More than 8,000 runners of all ages took part in this event, which starts at Parliament Hill. On the same day, the City of London Corporation was awarded a plaque by World Athletics to celebrate Hampstead Heath as the home of cross country running in England.
In May, another running event – the Night of the 10,000m PBs – made a triumphant return to the Parliament Hill Track for a fabulous day and night of world class athletics.
In June, the City Corporation worked in partnership with Barnet Council to deliver a wonderful celebration for the Platinum Jubilee. Golders Hill Park was awash with red, white and blue as thousands of people from the local community came together to mark the historic occasion and enjoy live music, performance, a beacon lighting and fireworks.
A very special Alder tree, which will be planted near the bandstand in January, has been gifted to the park from Buckingham Palace as a thank you for hosting this very special event.
The Heath’s festival of sport and wellbeing, Give it a Go Day, also returned in the summer and was an outstanding showcase of all the activities which are available on the Heath year round. The Heath’s sporting facilities allow thousands of people to take part in activities such as swimming, athletics, football, rugby, cricket and tennis. There have also been major improvements at two of the Heath’s popular play areas.
We have been encouraged by the Heath’s ability to recover from the very high level of use experienced during the pandemic. This does not happen by magic – its recovery has been made possible by the dedicated conservation work that occurs across the year.
Heath Hands, our volunteer charity, has been hard at work protecting and restoring the Heath. Over 11,000 volunteer hours have been contributed, with 400 sessions delivered in 2022. More than 4,000 people have taken part in Heath Hands’ public activity programme, including 900 young people.
This is a fantastic achievement and a huge thanks goes to all who have given their time to help care for the Heath. You can find out about volunteer opportunities at: heath-hands.org.uk/.
I hope you have managed to enjoy the Heath this past year and there will be more opportunities to enjoy all its different aspects in the year ahead.
William Upton KC is chair of the City of London Corporation's Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Management Committee.
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