You may have seen in the media recently a story about the auction and subsequent purchase of a small piece of land surrounded by Hampstead Heath which belonged to the late Henry Hallowes, known to many of us and his friends as Harry.

Harry was awarded ownership of the land in 2007 which he had made his home.

While we can’t predict what the future holds for the land, I can assure you that the City of London Corporation will do all it can to ensure that the ecology and unique character of the surrounding Heath land continues to be protected for the recreation and enjoyment of all.

On the subject of enjoying the Heath, I would like to remind you all that we are approaching one of the our stand-out events, the annual Give it a Go! festival, on Sunday, July 15 from 1pm at Parliament Hill.

Give it a Go! is a festival of health and well-being that gives the opportunity for adults, children, young people and families to try out new sports and activities completely free.

The Heath will play host to a multitude of activities. If you feel like getting involved, you can join in a fencing session, be coached by a tennis professional, enjoy a game of bowls, play rugby, try an assault course or become a track and field expert.

Alternatively, if you’re feeling less energetic have a health check-up and enjoy some musical entertainment. You can rock out to The Old Boys or enjoy Cuban Salsa vibes with Son Yambu.

This one-day spectacular is supported by Pro-Active Camden, the London Fire Brigade, the Lawn Tennis Association, Hampstead Rugby Football Club, Highgate Harriers, Heath Hands, the Jubilee Hall Trust and the NHS to name a few. Taster sessions will be on offer so come and try your hand at a range of sports including tennis, fencing, rugby, football and volleyball. You may just discover a new talent.

You may also bump into some larger visitors on the day, as the Shire Horses who carried out essential ground restorations works following the Cross Country in January will be back.

This time, the horses and their handlers will be back on the Heath to demonstrate traditional haymaking and to engage with visitors and share information about their work promoting traditional conservation and land management techniques.

Taster sessions start at Parliament Hill from 1pm and continue until 5.30pm.

I hope many of you will join me on the day in ‘Giving it a Go’.

Karina Dostalova is chairman of City of London Corporation’s Hampstead Heath Management Committee.