Trying to shake off memories of a council versus church saga, the group tasked with restoring a park for the community is treating the opportunity as “a blank canvas” with children at its heart.

Friends of Ashburton Park was set up after the Labour-run Croydon Council put a stop to His Grace Outreach Church buying the former Ashburton library.

The church had been named as the preferred bidder for the rundown building by the former Conservative administration and paid £85,000 for it.

It wanted to set up the building as a community centre.

Labour blocked the church taking over the site, but is still intent on turning it into a community centre.

Work is well under way in the park with Labour’s plan part of the overall redevelopment of the area.

His Grace Outreach Church are still looking for an alternative site for its project.

The library saga as it unfolded last year:
Council to agree sale of former Ashburton library
His Grace Outreach Church's dreams on hold for old Ashburton library
Peaceful protest as £85,000 library fight continues

Friends group chairwoman Mary Guruparan said the library is having its roof fixed before it is renovated.

While this work is under way the friends group will be focusing on the grounds, including the pavilion.

Ms Guruparan said: “Our main project is getting the pavilion up and running.

“I’d like to have a cafe running through there and we also have an idea for a farmers market or other events, say a musical event.

“It’s only now that the administration stepped in and halted the sale of the old library that we can get the park up and running.

“I believe that if we get children involved and engaged it will give them fond memories and they can pass these memories on to their children when they come here and it will give them a sense of ownership.

“We have a blank canvas.”

Go to www.thefoap.org.uk to keep up to date with the activities of the friends group.