Remembering Liz Coyle

Greenwich Park lost a True Friend when Mrs Elizabeth Coyle (Liz) passed away on 14 May 2021. Liz was an early member of the Friends of Greenwich Park and joined its Committee in 2004. From 2006 Liz served either as Chairman or Vice-Chairman. From 2012 she also edited the Friends Newsletter. Liz embodied all that is best about the Friends of Greenwich Park. Her energy was extraordinary. She organised plant sales in Blackheath and many cultural events for the Friends including Gardeners Question Times and the Annual Lecture. She led highly successful visits for Friends. The plaque commemorating Ignatius Sancho was installed while she was Chairman. She was always to be relied upon at any Friends’ event that needed a bit of organising. Liz guided us through many challenges, not least when she took a firm but constructive line with the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games. Her patience and diplomacy helped ensure that damage to the Park was minimised and contributed to the overall success of the events in 2012. Liz built excellent relationships with Park staff, with Royal Park trustees and with the Friends Groups of the other Royal Parks. In recent years she was active in helping the Royal Parks win the major grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for Greenwich Park Revealed. In all her work she was wise, good humoured and indefatigable. She was supported by her husband, Jeremy, who was invaluable as adviser, writer, photographer and transport manager for innumerable events. She will be greatly missed. There will be a memorial service at All Saints’ Church, Blackheath on 21 July at 2 pm.