Jan Prendergast, community activist and candidate in next month's Westminster City Council elections, met with Council Leader Rachael Robathan at Paddington Rec, the "heart and lungs" of Maida Vale.
Jan and Rachael discuss the huge impact the Rec has had on the lives of local people, especially during COVID lockdowns.
One of the absolute gems in the crown of Westminster is Paddington Rec. It's a really fantastic asset for local people, and I'm standing here today with Jan Prendergast who knows this better than anyone.
Jan explains,
I'm really honoured to be associated with Paddington Recreation Ground.
The history of its opening in the first place is quite extraordinary and very interesting. It's 27 acres of pure heaven and all things to all men. It's the heart and lungs of Maida Vale.
You can imagine what it was like during the lockdown.
People could come here keeping their distance but able to get out in the open air and walk together.
So it means an awful lot to everybody that lives here. The variety and incredible number of visitors. It's a real credit to the maintenance staff that keep it looking so beautiful all the time.
Find out more about the Maida Vale Action Team at www.westminsterconservatives.com/Maida-Vale
