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Spring into Action: Hedgehogs, Birdsong, and Festivals

Spring is in full swing, and we have a busy few months ahead! Whether you want to get your hands dirty, listen to the beautiful morning birdsong, or just enjoy a summer festival, there is something for everyone. Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:

Path Renovation & Hedgehog Habitat Creation

  • Date: Monday, 27 April
  • Time: 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM (Drop in anytime!)
  • Meeting Point: Basecamp at the picnic tables

We are looking for members to help work alongside the returning Barclays Volunteer Team to renovate our paths and create habitats for local hedgehogs. Whether you can stay for the whole session or just want to step away from your desk for a one hour WFH break, your help is greatly appreciated!

  • What we provide: All necessary tools.
  • What you should bring: Sturdy gloves and long-sleeved clothing.

Dawn Chorus Bird Walk

  • Date: Saturday, 2 May
  • Time: 5:00 AM – 6:00 AM

Join Tim and the true “early birds” for an unforgettable hour listening to the morning dawn chorus. Yes, it starts at 5:00 AM, but the beautiful birdsong is well worth the early wake-up call!

🌳 FSP Summer Festival: ‘Saunter in Shrewsbury Park’

  • Date: Sunday, 14 June
  • Time: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Save the date for our annual FSP Summer Festival! Keep an eye on this space, loads more details will follow very soon, including information on how you can get involved and contribute to the day.

ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY OF THESE EVENTS, PLEASE CONTACT werfp@gmail.com

Environment, Events, Organised walks

Up with the birds

A keen band of humans caught up with the birds on the Spring Bird Walk last Saturday morning.

Walk guide, Tim Rymer, summed it up –

“Lots of birdsong- Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Song Thrush etc, great views of Nuthatches and Stock Doves with nesting/feeding/courtship activity, Green Woodpecker and a few brief snatches of the elusive Firecrest in song.

As happens with birding straight after the walk had ended and people left Marcin, Jan and I saw three Swallows fly through.”

Many thanks to all who helped and came along to listen.

This peregrine falcon was spotted by Craig the week BEFORE the walk!

Environment, Events, Organised walks

Spring Bird Walk – Saturday 11 April

Spring is here! As if you haven’t already heard it from the birds themselves.

Come along and join us in a guided bird walk with Tim Rymer, a knowledgeable FSP member, who will lead us through favourite birdspotting areas of Shrewsbury Park.

It’s a prompt 8.30am start in the carpark off Plum Lane.

*Wear sturdy shoes and warm clothing – binoculars are helpful too.

*Dogs are not allowed on this walk which lasts approximately an hour.

*The walk is free, but donations to FSP projects are welcome.

Book on Eventbrite here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/guided-spring-bird-walk-tickets-1985074342796 or drop a note at 189 Plum Lane to reserve places.

This is a RAIN or SHINE walk!

The route begins on paved paths but then goes off road through woods, not suitable for all wheels. Any access questions please contact werfsp@gmail.com

Bus 244 stops by the fire station, short walk from the carpark entrance

Newsletter

Remembering Ron

We hope you have had the pleasure to run across Ron Senkus sometime over the last five decades, working somewhere in the Dothill Allotments or roaming the rest of Shrewsbury Park being an active member and steward of Shrewsbury Park – and walking his dogs.

We’ll miss you, Ron.

But we know you’ll continue growing along with the trees and bulbs and veg and signposts and your immense knowledge with which you blessed the whole of the park. Ron served on the management committee since our founding meeting in 2006, sharing his extensive environmental advice, practical crafting skills and humour.

There is a plan in place to develop the Rowton Road open area which started as a hedgerow – planted by Ron and members about 8 years ago – and enrich it with native bluebells and tree with a circular seat round it in his memory.

If you would like to donate please click here.,….

We’ll let everyone know when planting begins if you want to help.

With heartfelt thanks,

The current Management Committee

Environment

UPDATE – NEW TELECOMS MAST TO BE INSTALLED IN SHREWSBURY PARK-REJECTED!

Good News! 

Royal Borough of Greenwich has rejected the EE Planning Application of installing a 20 metre mast and units inside Shrewsbury Park. 

Reason for refusal given was:

The proposed development, by reason of its siting, excessive height, scale, bulk, and design would appear as highly visible, unsympathetic, and incongruous additions within the wider area (which includes Shrewsbury Park) to the detriment of the character and appearance of the public realm. As such, the proposed development does not comply with the requirements of the NPPF (2024), Policies D3 and D8 of the London Plan (2021) and Policies DH1, DH(c) and DH(l) of the Royal Greenwich Local Plan: Core Strategy with Detailed Policies (2014) and therefore does not comply with Schedule 2, Part 16, Class A of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended).

And as our Chair, Kris Inglis, states 

“SHREWSBURY PARK REMAINS INTACT FOR THE CRITTERS AND THE HUMANS!”

Uncategorised

ALERT – NEW TELECOMS MAST TO BE INSTALLED IN SHREWSBURY PARK

EE have submitted a Planning Application to install a 20metre monopole and base units along Dothill Road, in Shrewsbury Park. The application states that it is a replacement of the existing monopole in Hatton Close meaning there is no requirement for alternative sites to be considered. 

The existing 8 metre monopole and units is outside of the Park’s boundary at the intersection of Garland Road and High Grove (not Hatton Close).

The planning application, however, is NOT replacing the new mast and units on the existing site but proposing a new location inside Shrewsbury Park.

FSP considers the planning application misleading and does not comply with the Royal Borough of Greenwich Council’s Local Planning Policies and Park and Open Spaces Strategy. The Council’s Parks Team were also not informed of the application but have submitted an objection to the Council’s Planning Team.

[AI Generated image of the proposed mast & units inside Shrewsbury Park Boundary.]

While we do not oppose the installation of a new mast to improve mobile reception, if EE are unable to upgrade their equipment on the existing site they should have offered alternate sites for consideration that are compliant with the Council’s Policies and Strategies.

FSP is submitting a letter of objection which the RGB Planning Team has agreed to consider.  

Further information to follow.

shrewsbury park calendar

Winter Newsletter + AGM on Friday 16 January at 7pm – Shrewsbury House

It may be chilly but the Park continues to hold special moments of discovery whether you’re strolling along or rushing to work.

And please take some time click on the link and read about the events of 2025 as we head towards the promises of the new year.

http://fspark.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-FSP-End-of-Year-Newsletter-1.pdf

Think about how you can contribute to the health and wellbeing of the natural park residents and the neighbourhood users. And then put the Annual General Meeting in your diary for …

Details at the beginning of the newsletter above.

Environment, Events, Organised walks

Nananananananana, Bat Walk!

The Bat Walk on Friday 29 August did not disappoint!

Les took us on a winding route through the park with bat detectors at the ready, picking up the bats’ “shouting” as they used echolocation to gather their dinner.

The weather was on our side, mild, calm and dry. We heard many pipistrelles and a serotine and/or noctule. Interpreting signals is rather subjective, those of you who have experienced it. But the thrill of being out in the dark in the Park is always a bonus, as was the calling of Tawny Owls following us around.

Many thanks to Les Clark and Liz for making this happen. Look out for another walk in 2026!

Enoy this clip from the big field, the slappy noise is from the detectors picking up signals, and you’ll see a few bats overhead. Thank you to Marcin for making this available to share.

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1?ui=2&ik=904ade7018&attid=0.1&permmsgid=msg-a:r5658426937638779623&th=1990fc1bba613994&view=att&disp=safe&realattid=1990fc1995fa3429b181&zw

Formed in 2006, the Friends of Shrewsbury Park encourage the use of Shrewsbury Park and support the development of facilities for recreation, education and amenities for local people and to encourage a sense of community around the park.