The Friends of HOCP is a voluntary organisation governed by Constitution (click here for a copy) and operating in accordance with our Privacy Notice (click here).

Membership is open to anyone and is free. Friends can be a passive members of the organisation. Alternatively, they can become an active volunteer, working with the staff to maintain and conserve the environment of the Park. To become a Friend, download and complete a registration form here or collect a copy from the park office, which is in the Visitor Centre.

What do Friends do?

• Help improve the park
• Support the work of the Park Wardens
• Volunteer for a wide range of tasks in the Park with the aim of improving it for visitors and wildlife
• Develop new skills
• Meet like-minded people
• Keep up to date with what is going on in the park
• Participate in and help with events in the Park.

What does the Friends' Committee do?

This is an elected body (required by the Constitution) that meets three times a year to (a) administer money raised in the Park, (b) identify special projects and (c) to plan events. It works closely with the staff of the Park and with Bedford Borough Council. All meetings are open to registered Friends of HOCP.

Other responsibilities of the committee are to:

• allocate funds to (a) support the work of the volunteers and (b) special projects ie. the building of a replacement bird hide and the construction of the boardwalk to the Dragonfly pond
• inform visitors about the Park, its facilities and habitats through the website and information points around the Park