The Friends of Eaglesfield Park will be holding their first, (much-needed) annual pond clearing session next Sunday, 1st November and would welcome help.

They gave the details on their FaceBook page:

POND UPDATE
Thanks to Quaggy Environmentalists for coming to explore the pond this morning and give us some advice on how to proceed.
Sunday 1st November will now be our first clearance session. If you would like to help do let us know. Waterproofs, waders, boots, thick gloves and tools would all be useful if you are coming and we will work in small groups to comply with social distancing so do let us know how many will be in your bubble.
Meeting at 10am at the Lily pond.
It was beautiful up there this morning and we spotted loads of fungi.
If you work with a youth group, corporate volunteers scheme or other network who would like to know about Sunday or future dates do please send us a message here. We would love to have your help and can talk through a safe way to get involved.

It’s a lot of fun, and it will be very satisfying to make some space for next year’s family of ducklings.

There’s another chance to experience the wonderful music of Woolwich Opera Works on Sunday at All Saints Church on Herbert Road, starting at 4.00pm, when they will be entertaining us with their Winter Warmers concert. They e-mailed with the details:

Welcome to the 2020 Woolwich Opera Works Season.
Our first concert will feature some familiar faces, baritone Grant Doyle and tenor Samuel Stopford, as well as some new faces, soprano Imogen Roose and mezzo Vivien Conacher. These incredible singers are joined by Janet Haney on piano.
WOW – Winter Warmers!
In the chilly dark days of winter, what better way to warm your soul that with some stunningly beautiful operatic singing! Our singers will melt your souls with romantic ballads, schmaltzy songs and astonishingly beautiful arias!
4pm, Sunday February 2nd at All Saints Church, Shooters Hill.
Don’t forget to bring someone new!

Once again the concert is free but there will be a collection at the end. Refreshments are available in the interval. Families are welcome, and there’s a kids’ corner.

We’re so lucky to be able to see and hear such talented musicians in the intimate setting of All Saints Church, with Hans Feibusch‘s beautiful mural as a backdrop.

The Friends of Eaglesfield Park‘s rescheduled pond clearance will now take place this Sunday, 19th January 2020, between 9.00am and 2.00pm, and they would welcome volunteers to help. Bridget sent me details:

Friends of Eaglesfield Park Need You!
Annual Pond Clearing
Can you spare any time between 9am – 2pm on Sunday 19th January 2020 to take part in our Annual Pond Clearing? (Re-arranged from November)
Residents and park users will be joining forces with Greenwich Council Parks Department staff to help clear the overgrowth of plants in and around the pond so that it can continue to thrive when Spring comes, and new life begins!
Giving even an hour of your time would be so helpful.
Bring gardening gloves, garden rakes and forks if you have them.
Just turn up on the day or for more information call: 07734810402

There are more details on the Friends’ website, together with information about their plans for the refurbishment of the park playground. The Friends are also on Facebook and Twitter.

For probably the last time on their Falconwood site,  Welling and District Model Engineering Society   have just announced their programme of public running dates for 2020. Their web site gives the details:

We look forward to welcoming you back in 2020 for another summer of nostalgia, riding behind our steam and electric locomotives. Due our possible relocation, the dates after 28 June may be subject to change or cancellation – notice will be published on the website and at the Falconwood site.
The railway and clubhouse will be open from 2:00-5:00pm. Train rides will be available for children and adults(!), with the last ticket issued at 4:30pm. Refreshments are available in the clubhouse.
Due to a reduction in car parking space, there is no parking on site on Public Running Days except for those with Blue Badges.
Sunday April 5th 19th
Sunday May 3rd 17th 31st
Sunday June 14th 28th
The following dates are subject to change or cancellation:
Sunday July 12th 26th
Sunday August 9th 23rd
Sunday September 6th 20th
Sunday October 4th (last running)
Santa Special 2020
As you may be aware, we are moving from our current site. If we are able to hold our Santa Special day, it will be on Sunday 13th December, with tickets on sale on 20th September and 4th October. Please consult this website or our notices at our Falconwood site for the latest news.
Open Day 2020
The date of our open day for visiting clubs will be published when it is finalised.

It now seems certain that the club will be moving to Hall Place in Bexley: Planning permission for a number of changes to Hall Place gardens was granted last November, and only listed building consent is now needed. The plan is to charge members of the public to go into the gardens once the changes are made.

Planning permission was requested by Bexley Council for the following:

• A new model railway and ancillary features for the Welling and District Model Engineering Society (sidings, station, ticket office, signal box, level crossing, carriage shed, miniature track and fencing);
• A new clubhouse for the Welling and District Model Engineering Society, (to be located in the nursery yard area)
• A new children’s play area
• A new bridge across the River Cray to enhance accessibility
• New window on west side of Visitor Centre/Pavilion Café
• Canopy/covered seating area on east side of Visitor Centre/Café
• New gates and fencing to secure separation between paid and unpaid areas
• Signage/banners/wayfinding features
• A human sundial
• New wooden gate in the boundary fence for vehicular access

Funding of £619,000 has been secured for the changes, though this doesn’t include the cost of relocating the railway.

As shown in the plan above, the WDMES railway track would be on the South bank of the River Cray, on the other side of the river from the formal gardens area where Butterfly Jungles Experience and All About Owls are located. A new children’s play area will be constructed next to it.

Visitors who are not Bexley residents will have to pay £4.00 for access to the gardens, with senior citizens paying £3.00 and those aged between 5 and 16 £2.00. Bexley residents will pay half these amounts. Entrance to the areas where the owls and the butterflies are will continue to be free.

It is planned for the railway to run every Sunday between April and October plus occasional extra seasonal runs. As well as the track the WDMES area would include a carriage shed, station canopy, water tower and coal store, signal box and a ticket office.

Before heading down to Falconwood it’s worth checking the Welling and District Model Engineering Society web site for any updates or late cancellations. As WDMES said the dates from July onwards are particularly likely to change.

Details of how to get to the WDMES site, plus a sound recording and video of the miniature railway in action can be seen in previous posts about the model railway.

The accomplished professional singers of Woolwich Opera Works will be performing for us again on Sunday at All Saints Church on Herbert Road, starting at 4.00pm in a concert entitled WOW – It’s Christmas.

WOW’s web site describes the event:

WOW – It’s Christmas!
Join Jeremy Silver, Alison Dunne, Maciek O’Shea, Dominic J. Walsh, Samuel Stopford & Angela Yang in a celebration of operatic winter and Christmassy cheer! Hear music by Puccini, Verdi, Mozart, Vaughan Williams, Schubert and more in a concert for everyone, especially people who are new to classical singing! Christmas jumpers are welcome but not a pre-requisite, and this concert will also include a Kid’s Corner with activities for the little cherubs.
Looking forward to seeing you all there!
We will also be announcing our 2020 Season so you won’t want to miss that!

As usual the concert is free but there will be a collection at the end. Refreshments are available in the interval.

Wonderful singing in a lovely setting. Unmissable!

The Friends of Oxleas Woodlands will be marking the Woodland Trust Tree Charter Day this Saturday, 30th November, with a stall near Oxleas Wood Café from 10.30am to 2.00pm. Tom, the Friends‘ Chair, wrote with details:

Sat 30^th November, is the Woodland Trust Tree Charter Day, and the Friends of Oxleas Woodlands will have a stall near the Oxleas Wood Café, between 10.30 – 2pm (approx.) where we will be offering some guided walks (as well as self-guided walks), talking to people about the Woodland Charter and Oxleas Woodlands, and organising some family activities like Bark and Leaf Rubbing, woody identification, colouring in activities, and also encouraging youngsters to plant an acorn in a pot and take it home to grow – with a view to bringing it back and planting it in the woods next year.

Tree Charter day is celebrated on the last Saturday of November each year. The Woodland Trust describes it as: “a day for the whole of UK society to unite in celebrating the value and importance of trees and woods to people. “

Pond Clearance CANCELLED

Message from Friends of Eaglesfield Park

While the Parks team has secured resources they don’t have the all important waders!

Look out for a new date in January.‬

The Friends of Eaglesfield Park will be clearing the park lily pond and the garden around it tomorrow, 24th November, between 9.00am and 2.00pm, and would welcome volunteers to help. They wrote:

Can you spare any time between 9am to 2pm this Sunday 24 November to take part in the ‘Autumn Pond Clearing’ and help keep Eaglesfield pond a haven for wildlife and a place we can all enjoy?
Residents and park users will be joining forces with Greenwich Council Parks Department staff to help clear the overgrowth of plants in and around the pond so that it can continue to thrive when spring comes.
Giving even an hour of your time would be so helpful.
Just turn up on the day or for more information please call: 07734 810402 and see the attached PDF.
Please bring gardening gloves, garden rakes and forks if you have them.
Thank you and please share this message with friends, family and neighbours!

Do pop along and help the Friends get the pond ready for winter.

Woodlands Farm will be holding their annual Christmas Fair on Sunday, 1st December, from 11am to 3pm, and will host an event for children, Stick Man at Christmas, on Saturday 7th December.

Maureen sent details of the Christmas Fair:

All are welcome at the Woodlands Farm Trust Christmas Fair. Come and meet Father Christmas, sip mulled wine whilst browsing stalls of local produce and crafts for early Christmas present ideas, or relax in our café while the kids enjoy crafts and games. A great festive day out for all the family. Entry is £1 per Adult and 50p per Child.

. Meet Father Christmas and his elves in the magical grotto
. Local produce and craft stalls
. Children’s festive activities
. Rock Choir 1pm & 2pm
. Mulled wine & cider
. BBQ & The Pretty Little Tea Company

No parking, please use public transport
Buses 89 & 486 stop outside

Should be a good day out as usual.

Hannah sent details of the Stick Man event:

Stick Man at Christmas
Saturday 7th December
10am, 11am and 1pm
Come along to our Stick Man Christmas event. Watch the Stick Man film before heading off round the farm on The Stick Man Activity Trail. Find everything on the trail before heading off to Santa’s grotto to be given your special certificate and a present from Father Christmas himself. £8 per child (+ booking fee). Sessions start at 10am, 11am and 1pm. Booking is essential. Please arrive 15 minutes before the time of your booking as the film will be starting on the hour. To book go to our website www.thewoodlandsfarmtrust.org
For more information, see our website or contact Georgiana Irimia on education@thewoodlandsfarmtrust.org

The Friends of Shrewsbury Park AGM on 14th November will consider the topic of biodiversity and what it means for the park. The Friends have also arranged a quiz night and a bulb planting session in November.

They e-mailed the details of the AGM:

Annual General Meeting
Thursday 14 November 7-8.30 pm
Shrewsbury House (bar open next door)
We hope you can come to our AGM?
In addition to the business meeting and election of management committee members there will be time to raise your park ideas and issues.
‘Why should I care about biodiversity’ kicks off a discussion specific to Shrewsbury Park’s natural habitats and what part we humans play. There will be input from a panel of guest speakers: Claire Lambert and Jack Partridge (trees) from RBG Parks and Open Spaces along with members Les Clark (a bat and hedgehog enthusiast) and John Denton (butterflies and hedgerows).
Then it is time for everyone to add to and evaluate actions we can put forward.
2020 calendars will be on sale (£5) and new park greetings cards (£2)
See you there!
FSP Committee

The National Biodiversity Network‘s recent State of Nature report (pdf) highlighted the decline in biodiversity in England:

Our statistics demonstrate that the abundance and distribution of the UK’s species has, on average, declined since 1970 and many metrics suggest this decline has continued in the most recent decade. There has been no let-up in the net loss of nature in the UK.

They report that 13% of species in England are threatened with extinction from Great Britain, and that 36 plant species have become extinct.

Shrewsbury Park is listed in the Royal Borough of Greenwich Core Strategy (pdf) as a “Site of Importance for Nature Conservation – Site of Borough Importance, Grade I”, with the contiguous areas of Shooters Hill Golf Club and Woodlands Farm. Together they form “An extensive mosaic of habitats, ranging from ancient woodland, secondary woodland through scrub to rough grassland and wetland.” The area is home to a wide variety of plants and wildlife including at least two animals mentioned in the Greenwich Biodiversity Action Plan (pdf) as priority species: bats and hedgehogs. The Mammal Society assess the Hedgehog as Vulnerable, and estimate that populations have declined by as much as 73% since their 1995 review to just 522,000. Some estimates put their decline at 97% since the 1950s. The are often seen on bat walks in the area: what can we do to help them? This will be one of the items discussed at the meeting.

The Quiz Night will be on Friday 22nd November:

Here are the details of our latest quiz – these are always great fun, and a fantastic way to enjoy a Friday night! Do join us!
Friday 22 November
6.45pm for 7.30pm start
Tables of 6 – £5.50 per person
Shrewsbury House, SE18 3EG
Tickets can be purchased using the link above or here
Bar is open from 6.30pm
Fantastic raffle prizes!
Our thanks to our amazing quiz masters, Dee and Geoff.

Then on Sunday 17th November the Friends will be planting spring bulbs and bramble bashing:

Come and join us planting our Spring bulbs!
Sunday 17 November – 1.30pm
Bulb planting/Bramble bashing event! Sunday 17 November at 1.30 (an hour or two).
Meet at the crossroads in the Park, bring a trowel, strong gloves and secateurs if possible. Kids especially welcome! You will get dirty.

Perhaps we’ll be able to clear some of the footpaths through the old allotment site on Dot Hill.

It’s Woodlands Farm‘s annual Apple Day event this Sunday, 13th October 2019, starting at 11am, and they also have some activities lined up for children in half-term week.

Maureen wrote with details of Apple Day:

Join us for a celebration of British apples on Sunday 13 October 2019 from 11am to 4pm. Discover and buy different types of traditional British apples. There will be music by Skinners Rats, tea and cakes from our Café, plus a BBQ. There will be a variety of activities including: apple pressing to make delicious juice, stalls selling local produce, including our own honey and homemade jams, and an opportunity to try some delicious Kentish cider. A great day out for all the family. Entry: Adult £1, Child 50p. All proceeds go towards keeping Woodlands Farm here as a conservation project and valuable resource for the community. A great family day out!

I’m looking forward to trying some interesting apple varieties, and getting some of my favourite Egremont Russets.

Hannah, the farm’s Education Officer, sent details of their half-term activities for children:

October Half Term
Tuesday 22nd October Make a bead bracelet 1-3pm
Drop by to have a go making your own bead bracelet. Use your creative skills to create colourful and decorative bracelets using our selection of beads and buttons. No need to book, just drop in. £3 per child
Wednesday 23rd October Passionate about Ponies 10am – 12noon
Do you want to find out all about ponies? Then come down and see our pony Bob and have a go at our pony and horse fact trail before making your own pony craft to take home. No need to book, just drop in. £3 per child.
Friday 25th October Horrible Halloween 11am – 3pm
Drop by for a day of Halloween crafts and a trail. Explore the farm and try and find all our creepy hidden creatures and then make your own Halloween craft to take home. No need to book, just drop in £3 per child.

For more information, see our website or contact Hannah Ricketts on education@thewoodlandsfarmtrust.org