Making Forde Park a recreation area you can be proud of…
Forde Park is an 8-acre area of green surrounded by residential properties in Newton Abbot. Within it are 3 public hard tennis courts and a croquet lawn. Adjacent to these is a disused Pavilion with services including electricity, mains water and inside lavatories.
With the help of generous donations from local residents, we aim to transform the existing pavilion into a vibrant, well used café catering for all park users. Staffed by adults with special needs and volunteer helpers, this will not only become a welcome addition to the features of the park but will provide much needed employment opportunities as well. Please support us if you can..
Peter Kendall
Quite simply, the conversion of the pavilion would not be proceeding at anything like the rate it is without the commitment and dedication of Peter who has given his time freely to project manage this for us. He has a unique set of skills of which none of our trustees are blessed with!
If you see Peter on site he will happily bring you up to date with our progress but please take the opportunity to thank him as it is his total commitment that is driving us towards our goal.
Meet the team.
Dr. Mark Clarvis
CHAIR
I have lived in Decoy, Newton Abbot for 30 years and have a daughter with different needs needs. I am very aware of a lack of employment opportunities for her peer group. I am also saddened by the run down condition of the pavilion in Forde Park and would like to see it returned to its former glory and be of benefit to the local community. I also have a wish to see the use of the tennis courts and croquet lawn promoted to encourage health and wellbeing in our community.
Julie Bladon
SECRETARY
Hi my name is Julie Bladon and I was born in Newton Abbot. I lived just around the corner from the Pavilion and it has been very sad to see it deteriorate over the years. I worked for many years for the Jobcentre with a particular interest in supporting people with disabilities obtain employment; I recognise how difficult this is. Many employers want to see employment history or work experience but not prepared to offer it.
When Mark asked me to become involved in this project I saw a great opportunity for local young people to gain vital employment and training.
I also hope that more use will be made of the tennis courts and the croquet club; a wonderful local resource.
It has not been an easy road and the next task of raising the necessary funds is very daunting. However the ultimate goal is so important that I am sure we will succeed with the backing of local people.
Julia Verwey
TREASURER
Having grown up locally in Decoy I can remember Forde Park bustling with activity, the pitch and putt, busy tennis courts and the functioning pavilion. It will be exciting to be a part of this project, re energising The Park and restoring the presently dilapidated pavilion and creating a not for profit community cafe that will offer training to adults with special needs and also provide support for the Croquet club and Tennis Court.
The idea for developing such a cafe in The Pavilion was first seeded by my late husband who loved the park and its magnificent trees, where he walked the dog, taught the children to ride their bikes and played tennis.
The Pavilion Community Cafe in Forde Park will be a legacy for Frank and an asset to Newton Abbot.
