The Parks and Open Spaces department have once again given us 1000 crocus bulbs and 1000 native daffodil bulbs to enhance springtime in the Park. Kids are particularly good bulb planters…
We’ll meet at the bottom of the main path where it crosses the Green Chain Walk. Come along and help create some pockets of sunshine for the new year, adding to the ones we planted last year.
Bring a trowel or small shovel, and gloves. If the weather is anything but steady rain, we will have a go!
On the last Sunday in September, under bright blue sky and glorious sunshine, about 50 people completed 108 yoga sun salutations and have so far raised over £1200 for Greenpeace. The Yogathon lasted for about 3 hours and the participants were energised by the sequencing of movement, the sun and the fabulous surroundings. At the end, sitting in the sunshine, with a backdrop of healthy green oak trees, we listened to the local Greenpeace representative as she spoke briefly and passionately about their concerns and activities.
Sunday 10 September saw the much-anticipated Foraging Walk take place at Shrewsbury Park. Around 35 local people attended the walk to learn which hedges, plants and trees to forage from, but also those to avoid. The park offers a huge array of plants which can be used as food in a raw state, cooked, or in the form of teas. Amongst others they sampled cherry plums, hops, sloes, ground elder, burdock, horseradish, yarrow and raspberries.
Kevin Godby, a local expert who works for Greenwich Co-operative Development Agency (GCDA) on their Growing Greenwich Project demonstrated how to find the seeds, berries and fruit and how to safely consume them. He shared home-made jam and produce that he had made from berries found in the park, pointing out where they grew as he went along the trail.
Kevin said: “It’s important to remember that foraging is about eating a little from a range of different fruit and not lots from one place, as the body needs variety and too much from one place can tip the balance the wrong way.”
Kris Inglis, Chair of FSP said “we have all learnt so much about what we can and can’t consume from the hedgerows. It is amazing to find so much in one space, which will change with every season. Until today we knew little of this intriguing aspect of the park.”
Michael Stuart, a keen forager from Kilburn also attended to offer his experience; his key advice is to observe an area to get to know it and see how it changes through the seasons which will lead to a deeper appreciation of the environment. He recommends winter and spring for the variety of fresh leaves available to add to salad.
By Sandra Bauer
Shrewsbury Park is the venue for a Yogathon in aid of Greenpeace, organised by Priscila Diniz, one of several local Iyengar yoga teachers instructing and guiding you through Sun Salutations on the day. For details of the format, how to register and what to bring, please visit http://yogabypri.com/yogathon.htm
To our amazement, nearly 100 people gathered for last Friday’s Bat Walk – and the bats did too! Everyone enjoyed the walk, and even the baby buggies survived the off-road experience.
REMINDER: If you would like to borrow a bat detector to use for a week, please go to Bats page under Flora and Fauna . Details at the bottom of the page.
Meet at the Garland Road entrance The free walk will take about 1.5 hours and finish at the car park off Plum Lane.
Join us as Kevin Godby leads this introduction to foraging walks, suitable for beginners. You will learn to identify around 18 common forageable species, be shown where they grow and taste some of them too!
You may also bring along something to take home the things you come across, if you wish.
Please wear suitable footwear and be aware we will be walking uphill. This walk is aimed at adults. If you have questions about the route re mobility please contact werfsp@gmail.com so we can help. No dogs, please.
This is an all-weathers walk!
Meet in the car park at twilight for an introduction from bat-wise FSP members who will lead this adventure through the Park using our eyes, ears and bat detectors!
If you have mobility issues or enquiries please contact us on werfsp@gmail.com and we will help you participate. The trail is a mix of paved path, gravel and grass.
The Festival kicked off with a toast of cool water as Councillor Danny Thorpe and our own Pearly Queen, Gwen Jones, officially opened the new drinking fountain dubbed ‘The Watering Hole’. The plumbing firm, 1st About Plumbing, sent a rep and our Park Ranger, John Tomlinson, represented Parks and Open Spaces who will maintain the fountain.
Continue reading Smiles all ’round at Summer Festival Frolics 2017!
The Summer Festival Frolics came together with the weather and so many friends and neighbours for a Grand Day Out! And our fountain was officially opened by Councillor Danny Thorpe and Pearly Queen Gwen Jones.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE who contributed time, ideas, stalls, muscle, dogs, sweat, donations, photos and most of all your good will. The Management Committee was happy to see a growing participation in this annual event and look forward to more next year.
There will be a comprehensive report and thank you – with photos – soon but for now here are the unclaimed raffle prize numbers, please contact werfsp@gmail. com to claim a prize.
A memory stick/mp3 was found in the car park field on Sunday; if you lost one please contact us werfsp@gmail.com
BLUE 316 -318 – 335 – 341 – 342 -354 – 359 – 364 – 367
PINK 522 – 580 – 587 – 614
YELLOW 359 – 376 – 389
An FSP member and dog walker has taken up the role of Hedgehog Guardian after discovering there is a growing population of ‘hogs’ inhabiting Shrewsbury Park. This is her initial idea that we hope to support and put in place – with your help.
Michelle says: “This hot and arid weather is a real problem for them. They can’t dig for food because the ground’s too hard, and of course, water is in scarce supply. One of the key things I was thinking about was putting ‘water stations’ (i.e.pet water bowls) in strategic locations in the park. If we can get people on board with helping to keep them regularly topped up with fresh water, then this would be fantastic. I’m happy to do this when I go out with my dogs of a morning, but if we can maybe get some ‘hedgehog champions’ on board, then that’d be great.”
Those of you who came on the May Bat Walk will know firsthand that hedgehogs are about in the night – we met one who simply froze when spotted in torchlights until we crept back to the path and let it get on with foraging for dinner.
Keep your eyes open and report any sightings. There will be a Hedgehog Stall at the Summer Festival to learn more about their habits and how to get involved in their welfare.
