I am grateful to Maya, Rochelle and Family for permission to use this video showing children's excitement and curiousity when engaging with nature.
“Bringing nature into the classroom can kindle a fascination and passion for the diversity of life on earth and can motivate a sense of responsibility to safeguard it.” David Attenborough
I happened to be at the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre (WHEEC) yesterday when the doors to the classroom block were locked for the very last time after a youth group had left.
The dilapidated block will be demolished to be replaced by a SEND 16-25 Skills Centre that was planned to include a classroom for the WHEEC.
That is now in jeopardy after the withdrawal of Thames21 from running the Centre.
I agree, as a former teacher and an environmentalist, with what David Attenborough said. We cannot expect children to fight to maintain our biodiversity if they have not had a chance to experience it using all their senses. This becomes even more important at a time of climate and ecological crisis.
I have set up a petition supported by Brent Parks Forum and Brent Friends of the Earth calling on Brent Council to search for ways of continung the service. If you are one of the very many Brent residents whose children have used the Centre, or remember the thrill of using it yourself, or just recognise what a great resource it is, please sign the petition and pass the link on to anyone else who may be interested. Please note the petition cn be signed by anyone of any age so do encourage your children to sign if they are interested
Thank you.
Martin Francis
Petition wording
We residents and people who work or study in Brent * call on Brent Council to undertake a full scoping exercise to enable the work of the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre (WHEEC) with primary age children to continue. This work, which has been going on for more than half a century is even more important at a time of a climate and ecological emergency. It is imperative that the generation that will be dealing with this emergency in the future are enabled to experience and appreciate the natural world that is now under threat.
The scoping exercise should include talks with Careys, the local groundworks company that previously made a bid for the Centre and other local companies, organisations or charities that wish to make a commitment to children’s education and combatting climate change.
The Council should also revive the Consortium who were interested in a shared resource that would be based at the new build 16-25 Skills Centre to be used at times outside school hours including evenings and weekends.
A primary classroom with separate entrance and toilets should be provided within the new 16-25 Skills Centre for use by the WHEEC during school hours and school term times (60 primary pupils per day) as envisaged in the current plans. Thames21 withdrew from the WHEEC in July 2025 because they could no longer sustain the losses. Running costs should be less in a shared 16-25 new build Skills Centre compared with the dilapidated wooden classrooms that are due to be demolished.
Rental income could be earned both from letting out space at the Centre at evenings, weekends and during school holidays and from letting out the grounds for activities such as camping for guides, scouts, and Woodcraft Folk.
*Guidance from Brent Council:
A petition can be signed by a person of any age who lives, works or
studies in Brent.
If you are signing a paper petition as a resident of the borough a
check will normally
be made that you are a registered elector in the borough. If you
sign a petition as
someone who is studying or working in the borough you should
provide either your
home address or an address relevant to the petition i.e., your
place of study or work.
If you add your name to an e-petition you will be asked for a
personal e-mail address
and your post code. You may only sign any one petition once.
Started by: Martin Francis
This ePetition runs from 25/07/2025 to 05/09/2025.
Below is a video from Brent Council itself celebrating the Centre published some years ago.
7 comments:
Brent Council were happy to pay Quintain £17.8 million to install Steps instead of the Pedway in Wembley Park, as we were informed that Olympic Way was Public Realm, however we now learn that this is now Private Land solely maintained by Quintain - a private entity. So surely Brent should have no problems finanacing what is a very needede Public/Community asset, if only to improve their carbon footprint and net zero agenda. I did vote "For a cleaner, greener Brent". It would make very good PR something that Brent is very good at. Maintenance costs could be offset by charging other boroughs/Schools outside of Brent, to use this facility.
Why aren't multi-billion pound developer Quintain donating the funds to keep open the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre (WHEEC)??? Especially as their tower block flats have completely ruined the view of the our showpiece national stadium fron the Welsh Harp.
If Olympic Way is private land why are the Police and Brent Council Enforcement Officers working there particularly on event days???
And why are Veolia (working for Brent Council) cleaning it when all we hear is that they don't clear waste from private land in other parts of Brent???
According to Brent PR Wembley Stadium/FA pay for all the Police, Enforcement , Clean up on their Private Land. However, we would all like to see the real costs and charges, and who pays what, but I doubt there is anyone at Brent Council brave enough to do an actual audit and publish the figures. It seems to me they swap and change ownership as and when they feel like it, or maybe when the wind is blowing in the right direction, cause they sure know how to "shoot a breeze".
Comment received by email. Letter sent to my councillors: 'I was dismayed to hear that the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre has been closed and is to be redeveloped as a centre for use by specific children in the borough.
Whilst I understand that the Centre needs an update and redevelopment, particularly the classrooms, I feel very strongly that this plan needs to be seriously reconsidered.
Over the years as a teacher (now retired) I have taken large numbers of children to the Welsh Harp and seen just how much they enjoyed it, and gained from their visits. There was always excitement and a big wow factor experiencing pond dipping for the first time, all the bug and bird life, and the many different activities on offer - even something simple like holding a worm or a slug! Along with the fun, they were learning what is needed to help life thrive in their area and on the planet. With so many children in the borough having little or no access to experience good, safe, green spaces it is important to retain and use fully what we have.
As a large site, so well used for a long time, with so many different areas and possibilities, it would be a huge shame for the Education Centre to only benefit a handful of people.
With such a brilliant resource in the borough, it would be wonderful if Brent could be seen to take a lead in environmental education and develop the site so it is available for as many children as possible, allowing them to experience the natural world on their doorstep for many years to come.
I would appreciate your support in this matter'
Suggest you do a freedom of information request.
Also remember that while Police, Veolia and Brent Council Enforcement Officers are working at the stadium they are NOT working in our local areas, we get forgotten about.
I think for the decision makers the River Brent is to become a new tower re-develop over 'lost' river by 2050, hence the No Plan 6 borough Great West City. Welsh Harp would be green-blue access to nature key in any plan.
No plan also side steps any active travel plan of new direct routes and foot/cycle bridges being transport infrastructure major invested in. Look at Old Harlesden's disconnect to the new HS2/ Eliz line building adjacent to it. Britain's biggest new station being decision maker protected and defended from Brent residents ever directly accessing it.
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