It is fair to say that when The Royal Parks' Events Team first received the application to hold a winter event in Hyde Park back in 2005, we were somewhat curious as to whether people could be enticed into the park in the middle of winter.
The Royal Parks' Events Team along with event promoters PWR Events Ltd, set about planning for the installation of London's largest outdoor ice rink in Hyde Park to rival those at the Natural History Museum and Somerset House.
Following the popularity of the event in year one, when Hyde Park Winter Wonderland attracted half a million visitors, it was clear that there was an appetite to build on its success
Now in its seventh year, The Royal Parks and PWR Events Ltd, have developed the entertainment and facilities on offer at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland to meet popular demand. The site is barely recognisable from the original event which consisted of just an ice rink, Santa's grotto and a handful of attractions.
As Events Management staff we and our colleagues at PWR make sure everything is safe, not just on the event site, but also on the access and exit routes, where we make sure the pathways are kept clear. We conduct pre-site checks with the event organisers every morning before Hyde Park Winter Wonderland opens to the public.
Throughout the event, the operational monitoring team are continuously identifying what has worked well this year and any areas for improvement. This includes the attractions, the layout and the event site in general and will be considered when looking at plans for next year. Weekly meetings between The Royal Parks, PWR Events Ltd, the police and other agencies are held to review the week.
Hosting an event in the park brings with it a number of important considerations that you wouldn't have if you were working at an indoor venue. Ecology is a top priority for us and I work very closely with our Ecology Team to ensure for example that light levels don't spill into the bat habitat. We also provide extra feeders to give the birds a boost during the period of the event.
In essence, my job is all about ensuring that visitors who coming to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland enjoy their experience and that the park and the wildlife to which the park is home, are also protected.
It has been fantastic to see this annual event has gone from strength to strength. It has become the firm favourite for a festive destination in London.
