Profile of Henry
Henry Ghent, the most active 85-year-old you’ll ever come across (for goodness sakes, he scaled the climbing frame like some kinda juvenile outlaw!), is chair and committee member (“very active committee member”- not my words!) of Homerton Grove Adventure Playground. He’s been involved with the playground for over 15 years since he was approached by the head of the playground at the time, when he guided a group of kids playing on the street to the playground, and he hasn’t looked back ever since then.
He’s watched it grow and has been most active in building and rebuilding the playground. The playground caters for over 200 kids especially during the holidays and what’s even more attractive about it is that it’s absolutely free (I mean, why do kids have to pay for fun?!). Kids come all the way from Camden, Redbridge and surrounding boroughs to share in the fun environment (which is free, did I say?) as other playgrounds closer to them charge an entry fee.
Along with a staff of four (ten on holidays), kids from ages 5-15 years are looked after and provided with an environment enjoyable for the kids. The staff there would testify that Henry is more than just a chair who chairs their council meetings; he gets far more involved as building playground frames. Henry almost single-handedly (with just one other person) rebuilt a climbing frame that was burned down, and that doesn’t really slow him down at all. (Above, Henry is shown with his grandson De'Resee at that frame. Right, young people are playing pool at the centre.) Plans are in place to build an extension and provided funds are in place, more structures will be built and modern day play equipments, like computers, will be provided as there are volunteers willing to teach.
In keeping with the modern day and far from getting volunteers to help with the organisation, the probation service have been got to help build and paint climbing frames with a disability access for those who need it (and they won’t even have to pay for that too!). (Right, Henry and grandson De'resee are shown with the new climbing frame.) The probation workers have also been called upon to help with the renovation of the Clapton Park Methodist Church building, which is in place at the moment.
Henry’s recently got his house in Essex, but he makes the long journey to Hackney every day and is as enthusiastic as ever to participate in the development of the playground and the church too. He even claims he lives in hackney, which reinforces his commitment to the cause.
Henry’s also the choirmaster at Clapton Park Methodist church and he revived the choir when there was none and it’s grown ever since. His passion when singing has even inspired young people like my brother to want to join the choir (when you see an 80+ old man singing like he’s some rock star on a stage, you’re not going to just stare in awe as he gets the adulation from the chicks, you’re going to want to sing even better, ‘cos you look better…sorry pal, I know it’s not a cat fight!).
Henry's Christian faith is displayed in his work, not just in the church, but in the wider community. It is refreshing to see an old geezer devote such time to work for kids in the local neighbourhood... it's his passion and commitment that helps him keep up with the younger generation and close the generation gap...only if he wore a hoodie and a snazzy tracksuit!
Henry was profiled by Sinmi Opeyokun who also worships at Clapton Park church.