Have a look at the gallery of photos and artistic interpretations submitted for the 2024 Calendar!
Well done everyone and thank you.
Members’ creative competition
All posts by Kris Inglis
They made a difference!
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!
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.
Happy New 2023
Catch up with 2022 FSP AGM 17 Nov
Held in Shrewsbury House – Present: 15 members, with 3 apologies
Chairperson, Kris Inglis began the meeting with thanks to those attending.
Our local speaker and Dothill allotment holder, Dr Philippa Mason, gave a fascinating talk about the geology under our feet on Shooters Hill and beyond. She is a senior lecturer in Planetary Remote Sensing at Imperial College London but presented very ’down to earth’ explanations of local features and their evolution over billions of years. FACT: The Thames was a glacial river and its glacial tributaries running down the hill became the sites of our oldest woodlands.
A lively Q&A followed and we hope to hear more from Dr Mason in future
Arising matters from last meeting:
- Local Councillor involvement is increasing slowly with the help of Parks Forum
- Signage, permanent and temporary, is being pursued by Committee
- Idea about having an outdoor cinema isn’t feasible without a power source
- Improving links with Shrewsbury House, event by event
- Retaining wall along Plum Lane fixed
Management Committee was introduced and thanked for their efforts as we became more active again post-Covid. This has always been a volunteer position determined by individuals’ interest and time available. Officers are decided by the MC once elected at the AGM. You can volunteer to join the Committee at any time by contacting werfsp@gmail.com
Our dear friend and longstanding Treasurer Sonja O’Sullivan passed on in October. We now need a competent bookkeeper/treasurer to take up the position. They will have help from an aspiring assistant to share the load. This is an URGENT need coming into 2023 so please consider serving in this capacity.
All current members agreed to stand and were elected by members present.
Planned events so far:
- Dec 3 – Daffodil bulb planting (had to be postponed until Jan/Feb)
- 1 April – Bird Walk with Tim Rymer
- 30 April – Dog Show and related activities (postponed from Summer Festival)
- Agreement to fund a commemorative bench or plaque for Sonja -tbc
- 17 February – Barclays Bank volunteer maintenance day along with 10th Royal Eltham Scouts participation
Plans in progress are Foraging Walk, Bat Walk, Military History Walk, Quiz in May, Summer Festival, habitat and wildlife surveys (we need more interested volunteers to join a core group).
All the events and activities in the park need time and effort from as many members as possible to embrace the whole community, including youngsters, to learn and be involved in this vital space. We have over 400 members on the mailing list… and would like to know that everyone feels part of Shrewsbury Park, using it happily, safely and wisely.
Please consider any contribution of hands-on help or ideas you could offer in the new year.
AOB:
- The calendar was rested this year because of slow sales and lack of new entries
- Request that nature camera footage to be posted more often on website
- Tawny Owl box still waiting for installation
- Agreed regular chippings of Dothill paths twice a year -in the works
- Yogathon organiser to be approached for 2023
- Suggestion of Easter Egg Hunt – any volunteers?
We wish everyone a very joyful holiday season and healthy new year.
We’re past the winter solstice so it’s getting lighter towards spring already!
Thank you for caring for and supporting your Park
The FSP Management Committee
2022 Annual General Meeting – Thursday 17 Nov at 7.30pm
Catch up on all that’s been happening in your Park
Share your thoughts and ideas for the coming year
Meet the Management Committee – vote for 2023 team
Current MC in alphabetical order: Sandra Bauer, Alan Deacon, Dino Fielding, Kris Inglis, Zena Marshall, Ron Senkus, Irene Telfer and Iris White.
Our guest speaker is Dr Philippa Mason, a senior lecturer in Planetary Remote Sensing, Imperial College – and local allotmenteer – who will bring a new perspective on the geology of SE London and how Shooters Hill fits into the landscape.
FSP greeting cards and merchandise available to buy
Any questions beforehand please contact werfsp@gmail.com
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
Park Inspirations
Don’t miss these!
It started as a creative competition and grew into a proper Exhibition at the Summer Festival. There was too much variety and mixed media to choose one winner so here’s the gallery where you can enjoy all the entries…
All the creators are FSP members of 18+ yrs
Quiz Night returns!
We are free to quiz again! Friday 17 June – Come at 7 pm for prompt 7.30 start.
- Renowned Quiz Masters Dee and Geoff officiating
- Bring your own nibbles
- Open house bar
-
Teams of up to 6 people, £6.50 each
Join in with the FSP Fundraising Quiz held in Shrewsbury House, Bushmoor Crescent SE18 3EG. The bar will be open at 7pm and the raffle prizes on sale.
Book on Eventbrite https://tinyurl.com/bdens25e
Or contact werfsp@gmail.com with any questions
A waiting list will be created to be reconciled on the day
Bats are about!
It was a still and warm April evening… The bat walk was about to begin. Les Clark had kindly agreed to lead the walk along a revised route that proved to reveal even more bats than usual. 
The weather was ideal for tempting out the insects – and the bats were ready for a feast.
BORROW A BAT DETECTOR
If you fancy doing your own bat walk in the park or your back garden remember that we have some FSP detectors to borrow for a week at a time. Go to BATS page under FLORA AND FAUNA in the menu and scroll to the end of the page for details and form.
BIRD WALK – Saturday 26 March, 8.30am start
Meet in Plum Lane carpark for the first walk of 2022!
Tim Rymer, an FSP member, will be leading us around the park to identify birds, their preferred habitats, behaviours and much more.
Check out the Bird page under Flora and Fauna on fspark.org.uk beforehand for a preview of which birds you may see. 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 are welcome to FSP projects.
The route for this walk begins on paved paths but then goes off-road, not very suitable for wheels. A gentle, accessible walk may be planned for summer birdsong in May. TBC
Bus 244 stops by the fire station, short walk from the carpark entrance
Book on
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bird-walk-saturday-26-march-tickets-269885142727
Alternatively, drop a note at 189 Plum Lane to reserve your places.