Category Archives: Environment

Environment, Events, Uncategorised

Want to run a Stall at the 2024 Festival?

Have you got a passion for your hobby or interest? Maybe you volunteer for a fantastic charity that you’d like to represent?

Then why not be a stall-holder at our next festival? It will be held on Sunday 30 June 2024, 1 – 5pm, setup from 11am.

We pride ourselves on having a great display of stalls and we love having old friends back, as well as new local community groups, charities, hobbyists or other sellers.

We welcome hundreds of visitors on the day – mostly local people living close to the park, but increasingly people from Greenwich and Bexley, and sometimes even further afield.

Please read the terms and conditions (see link below) and fill in the form below:

Shrewsbury Park Stallholders Terms and Conditions

Fee for non-food/beverage stalls is £20 – pay using this link

Please submit the form below by 7 June 2024, but the earlier you submit, the better your chance of securing a pitch. We reserve the right to close early if we get sufficient numbers:

Can’t see the form? Use this link: https://forms.gle/VqUprLKuCed9x1Qz7 

https://forms.gle/VqUprLKuCed9x1Qz7

Environment, FSP Calendar

Members’ creative competition

Have a look at the gallery of photos and artistic interpretations submitted for the 2024 Calendar!

Well done everyone and thank you.

I’m not going into the woods today! – Mark Blackett
Shrewsbury Park – Susi Rafferty
Resident Sparrow Hawk – Karen Mills
New Beginning – Gwen Jones
Nectar Points – Tina Muddle
Wild Rose – John Denton
Summertime from the ground up – Benjamin Ajala
Summertime in Shrewsbury Park – Liz Codrington
Shrewsbury Park, late summer – John Donnelly
May Morn – Iris White
Bird’s foot Trefoil – John Denton
Beautiful Sunny Morn – Liz Codrington
Autumnal Morning – Eleanore Ramsay
Early Morning – Tina Muddle
Bone-bleached Tree on Dothill: detail – David Smith
Winter Walk 2 – Jackie McCauley
Winter walk 1 – Jackie McCauley
Bone-bleached Tree on Dothil – David Smith
Environment, Events, Organised walks

Late Summer Time Walk

On Friday 8 September, 25 local residents enjoyed stepping back in time with Dr Andy Brockman.

Our subject matter was: Front Line Park: Shrewsbury Park in the 20th Century Including the LCC Open Air School and defence of London.

Dr Andy Brockman, Archaeologist and Historian

After meeting by the car park, we visited the area where the open air school had it’s buildings, and saw photographs of the school in action. We were able to view documents that described how the children were selected, educated and monitored, turning out healthier and well nourished pupils back to their homes.

Strolling back through to the car park with Andy, we saw clearly where the barrage balloons were tethered. We learnt how these were used in the foiling of enemy aircraft, driving them away from bombing targets.

We were told a few interesting (and funny) stories about how this all worked, which Andy had taken from some testimonies of local people at the time.

Andy expertly brought to life these amazing past events and fielded questions as we went along. Ending up at Shrewsbury House, there were more artifacts to look at, as well as a very welcome Friday evening beverage or two.

We look forward to our next foray into local history!

Environment, Events

They made a difference!

Image

Many sincere thanks to Barclays Bank, Canary Wharf branch, and to 10th Royal Eltham Scouts for there brilliant and cheerful efforts clearing habitat areas in the Park on Friday 28 July.

Ruby Shand, master organiser of both groups, brought her crews to help FSP volunteers cut saplings and brambles in the meadow ready for late summer mowing, spread woodchips on the Dothill path and then pile the cuttings for the Rangers to pick up. The Scouts uncovered the thriving hedgerow their members planted 4 years ago, an annual effort

Super teamwork, everyone! And we look forward to their next visit, we’re taking you up on that generous offer!

And an extra thank you to the passing spontaneous volunteer named Peter, who lent his time and barrow skills for a couple hours!

Barclays volunteers off road
Scout territory

Environment, Events, Organised walks

Fabulous Foraging

On Saturday 13 May, we gathered to discover what edible delights the park has to offer! Experienced, self-taught, and local forager, Kevin Godby from GCDA led us around the park, introducing us to lots of plants, bushes and trees that have edible parts.

Kevin had a great list of tips to share, including not foraging at a low level, to avoid contamination, never consuming too much of one kind of forage, being mindful of the time of year and ripeness of plants. As a general rule of thumb, younger seeds, buds and leaves are juicier and tastier!

We look forward to welcoming Kevin back to the park in another season to learn more!

Environment, Events, Organised walks

Dawn delights

The Dawn Chorus walk was a magic experience, once we all rolled into the park to meet Tim, our leader, for the 5am start.

We heard several species vying for attention, and the parakeets didn’t interfere too much. We could hear the tiny firecrests in the open area of the woods on the bird ID app but while everyone searched to see them, a sparrowhawk was spotted! The pair are nesting in a tall tree maybe 25 m into the woods from the small field. And then the female caught something for breakfast bringing reality of the natural world into focus.

Many thanks to Tim. And to Karen who captured the sparrowhawk on her camera.

In case you haven’t been in the park in the last week, go up the path for between the old and the new allotments and soak up the hawthorne blossom tunnel.

And the bird app mentioned is called MERLIN, free and easy to use on your phone.

Environment, Uncategorised

Sonja O’Sullivan

Last weekend, we officially christened our newest bench, installed with many kind donations from local people. It is dedicated to our beloved Sonja O’Sullivan, a treasured friend and member of our management committee. Her husband, Brian, spoke movingly about her love of the park.

Friends and family turned out in their droves on a cold March morning to celebrate her life.

Next time you are there, take a look – there’s a fabulous view from it too!

See if you can spot Sonja’s sister in the group photo – a great family resemblance!

Friends and family pose with the bench
Kris, our Chair and Brian speak movingly about Sonja’s achievements and love of the park
Environment, Events, Organised walks

Late Summer Bat Walk

The end of summer bat walk on 27 August was a treat as always, though some of the bats may have gone elsewhere for their bank holiday… it was a fun and informative walk for returnees and new folks alike, thank you to Les for ably leading the walk.

As it was International Bat Night the work of the Bat Conservation Trust (who got FSP started on bat conservation in 2009) was discussed and a collection taken.  Thank you everyone who donated, the £35.30 went off to BCT.

HELP BATS NOW!  Plea from BCT

The laws protecting bats are under threat again

We are writing to you with an urgent request. The government is considering repealing or weakening legislation protecting bats and other wildlife, namely the Habitats Regulations
The State of Nature report in 2016 described Britain as one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world and the more recent 2019 report painted a similarly depressing picture.
The loss of this protection would be devastating to the natural heritage that wildlife species represent. We need your help to make sure that the new prime minister and the government understand why removing this protection would be disastrous for our wildlife You can read our full news piece here. 

How can you help?

Please contact your MP, by either asking for a face-to-face meeting, phoning them, emailing, or writing to them. We have created a template letter/email which can be downloaded from HERE. You can find the contact details for your local MP HERE (remember to include your address so they know you are a constituent). Please let us know if you have contacted your MP by emailing us on comms@bats.org.uk.

Thank you

Environment, Events, Uncategorised

Sunday Funday 2022 – how was it for you?

We hope you had a wonderful time at the Festival this year – although the dog show was cancelled due to the high temperatures, we plan to re-run it later in the year.

As you can see, we have some fantastic photos to share – but we’d also like your feedback so if you were there – tell us how it was for you?

Councillor Adel Khaireh and family

Environment, Events, Organised walks

Walking Time Machine Inspires!

This sold-out walk happened on Friday 10th June and was a really amazing insight into our park and how the past is still indelibly marked on the present.

From the earliest times when different tribes carved up the area to avoid feuds to the pioneering work of the outdoor schools, working to rehabilitate children whose health was impacted by social conditions and pollution, Andy walked us through the decades.

An inspiring and thought provoking event which we are really hoping to repeat again soon!