Perfect for a Picnic in Bushy Park

Chestnut Sunday will take place on 10 May 2009 in Bushy Park � the date that the Chestnut blooms are at their best.

This Royal Parks' event is free and will begin with a parade at 12.30pm. WW2 military vehicles, Harley Davidson motorcycles, classic cars, Victorian veteran cyclists and the Horse Rangers Band will make their way in a procession from Teddington Gate to the Diana Fountain in Bushy Park. Teddington School Big Band will then entertain crowds with swing music and there will be a number of exhibitions and fairground stalls to enjoy.

Ray Brodie, Park Manager of Bushy Park said: "Chestnut Sunday is a very popular event and we hope that everyone will have a great time watching the parade and enjoying a picnic whilst admiring the Chestnut blooms. There will be something for everyone with a Victorian merry-go-round on offer and The Royal Parks Shire Horses on hand to meet and greet."

Media enquiries:

For further information or images please contact: Katy Murray, The Royal Parks, on 020 7298 2128 or kmurray@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk

Notes to Editors

About Chestnut Sunday in Bushy Park:

The event will start at 12.30pm and end at 4pm.

The following groups will hold display stalls at Chestnut Sunday: The Royal Parks; The Friends of Bushy Park & Home Park; The Hampton Wick Association; The Horse Rangers Association; The Veteran Cycles; and The Royal Parks Guild.

Chestnut Avenue in Bushy Park will be closed to traffic from 12.15pm to 1.30pm on Sunday 10 May 2009 in order to allow the parade to take place. The car parks in Bushy Park will also be closed to entry and exit during this period.

The procession will include: The City of London Police Horses; the Horse Rangers Shetland pony; the Horse Rangers Band; a collection of large WW2 military vehicles; Harley Davidson motorcycles; classic cars (including classic police cars); Veteran Cyclists (dressed in Victorian clothes); and The Mayor of Richmond.

About the history of Chestnut Sunday:

The avenue of chestnut trees in Bushy Park was established during the reign of William and Mary after Sir Christopher Wren conceived the idea of the mile-long Chestnut Avenue as a formal approach to Hampton Court Palace. During the Victorian era the park was open to the public who would make their own unofficial parade in horse-drawn carriages and charabancs to see the chestnut blooms. The tradition stopped during the 1st World War, but it was resurrected afterwards when buses ran special excursions. Its future looked uncertain after it stopped in the 2nd World War. In 1977, while researching a History of Hampton Wick, residents Mu and Colin Pain came across details of early Chestnut Sunday activities and they decided to revive the tradition in the year of Queen Elizabeth's Silver Jubilee.

About Bushy Park:

Bushy Park, to the south west of London, has a history stretching back at least 4,000 years, firstly as a settlement and farming land, then as a park for hunting deer. The park was also the site of a US base in the Second World War from which Eisenhower planned the invasion of Europe. Today, Bushy Park offers a unique open space for the community. Covering 445 hectares (1099 acres), the Park is home to around 320 free-roaming wild deer and countless plant and wildlife species. The Park combines 'wild' open spaces with formal avenues of trees and historic buildings, sporting grounds and a playground.

About The Royal Parks:

The Royal Parks is an executive agency of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

The Royal Parks are: Bushy Park, The Green Park, Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, The Regent's Park and Primrose Hill, Richmond Park, and St James's Park. For further information please visit: www.royalparks.org.uk