Residents turned out in force for the Team Noel Park Community Open Day on Saturday.

There were stalls, a fire engine and free bike repairs, plus representatives from the Noel Park Safer Neighbourhood Police team, Veolia and a number of volunteer groups.

The event, held in St. Mark’s Church Hall, Noel Park, focused on collaboration between residents and services, with main themes of community safety, the environment and housing and street scene.

Residents were encouraged to get involved in volunteer work, including efforts to re-start Russell Park’s community litter pick.

Attendees heard from Haringey’s Chief Inspector Ronnie Morrell, who confirmed the Metropolitan Police’s commitment to ward policing. Residents were able to meet their local police officers on the day, and pick up goodies such as their Baked Bean can “safe” for keeping valuables in.

Hornsey and Wood Green MP Catherine West and Cabinet Member for Environment at Haringey Council Cllr Peray Ahmet were also there. Cllr Ahmet said:

“What’s been so great about Team Noel Park, and about being a Noel Park ward councillor, has been supporting the passionate members of our community here who give up their time for the benefit of others. With the right people linked up at the right time, we have seen that we can make a bigger impact together.”

Deputy Mayor of Haringey, Cllr Stephen Mann, said:

“It was great to see so many representatives from the voluntary sector added to the police and Veolia, who have been involved with Team Noel Park for a long time, as well as the fire service. Particularly, it was fantastic to see so many Noel Park residents running stalls, and the event provided an opportunity to celebrate the great activity taking place locally.”

The Open Day was organised by Team Noel Park, which launched in November 2015, and The Bridge Renewal Trust.

Luke Newcombe, Noel Park resident and founder of social enterprise Duke’s Gardens said:

“It was a great experience to take part in Team Noel Park’s community day. Duke’s Gardens attracted a lot of interest in our recycling and reuse service for fly-tipped items, which sees discarded items transformed into flower or vegetable planters, and we really enjoyed chatting with our neighbours about their environmental concerns.”