Tag Archives: environment

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, 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, 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

Memorial bench installed!

Today we welcomed the Mayor of Greenwich, Cllr Denise Hyland, who officially planted the tree and memorial bench in Shrewsbury Park close to the car park.
Committee members and some lucky children got to see the Mayor and hear her speech. She spoke movingly about the losses in our community from the pandemic and why it is so important for us all to remember those who didn’t make it through.
                                                        They then gave her a hand to plant the tree.
It is a Davidia involucrata, AKA the dove-tree, handkerchief tree, pocket handkerchief tree, or ghost tree,  a medium-sized deciduous tree in the family Nyssaceae. It is regarded as the only species in the monotypic genus Davidia and was previously included with tupelos in the dogwood family, Cornaceae.
The bench has a plaque with the following wording:
“Be still and find me in your heart
Sit a while and remember those taken by Covid-19. “

FSP Calendar, Uncategorised

SALE – grab a calendar for just £4!

We’ve got a few calendars left, and we’d love to give them all good homes!

Now we are a few weeks into the year, you can have one for a discounted price, safe in the knowledge that your money is going to a great cause – please buy yours now!

Just complete the form below, and let us know how you would like to pay – to pay online,  use the ‘donate’ button below, and pay £4 per calendar – if you’d like an envelope add 50p. Cash or cheque purchases can be arranged by contacting werfsp@gmail.com

Delivery to the SE18, SE2 or DA16 postcodes is free of charge.  

    Environment

    WHO LIVES IN THE PARK? #1

    The FSP nature camera has been sited in various parts of the park undergrowth over the summer. First one to share was  captured on film visiting one of the wildlife watering bowls…

    Watch the website for more critters in the coming weeks!

    If you are interested in helping with a HEDGEHOG SURVEY this autumn please get in touch via werfsp@gmail.com. I know a few people have already offered, please send your contact details. First job is to construct some hedgehog tunnels near the feeding station to record tiny footprints of the hogs – or whatever else is mooching about.