• AS a resident of Dartmouth Park I was intrigued when a ballot paper dropped through my letterbox about the Neighbourhood Forum and planning. I had no idea what this was about and so spent some time online to find out more.

I was fascinated to learn a local group of volunteers had taken it upon themselves to try and help improve the local area by forming a Neighbourhood Forum which liaises with residents, businesses, the local council and developers to help shape the area.

I attended the annual general meeting in the week and was so overwhelmed by the passion in the room and the power of local people to achieve change, I felt compelled to get involved.

I didn’t know, for example, it was due to the actions of the Dartmouth Park Neighbourhood Forum that the Dartmouth Arms pub had been listed as a Community Asset and saved from the hands of property developers.

I also didn’t know about the major works planned for Murphy’s Yard (a 17-acre site) and how they were liaising with the owners with regard to future plans.

I also didn’t know about the traffic and pollution works, and the ideas for improving the entrance to Gospel Oak Overground.

All in all, I felt quite ignorant of the amazing work a group of local volunteers had committed to doing to improving our local area.

I write now to share with others to urge people to take the time to vote and to give a voice to the local people who live and work in the area.

Get involved with our neighbourhood, love where you live, help us to help you and let’s all preserve and improve Dartmouth Park for future generations.

SAMANTHA COLLETT
NW5

• Dartmouth Park Neigh­bourhood Forum is at www.DPNF.org.uk