Dig out the boots and join one of the Spring Walks and Talks planned: Birds, trees, flora foraging and bats!
Full details for each walk will be up in the park notice boards, emailed to members and on this site as they come up.
All walks are now free but donations to support park projects are gratefully accepted.
As you will remember we circulated a survey in October after the AGM to find out what you wanted us to spend the fundraising proceeds on in the coming months.
We received 80 responses.
The Picnic Table idea came out on top by quite a margin at 42% followed by the gym at 27%.
The ‘other’ category was for people to add their ideas. The most popular once these were added up was ‘additional park benches’ 3 (4%).
We will update you with progress on securing the picnic tables when we can.
Once again we were blessed with warm sunshine for our second Iyengar Yogathon in Shrewsbury Park. 25 participants donated to Greenpeace to take part and were energised by performing 108 sequences of yoga poses in quick succession, each group of 9 sequences being led by different teachers. Half way through, the sun emerged as though it responded to our salutations. After our strenuous efforts we sat in the sun in beautiful Shrewsbury Park against the backdrop of the fabulous oak trees and the sounds of the gently waving leaves eating delicious Cuban food – most welcome.
A representative from Greenpeace talked about what we can all do to limit our use of plastic, which is having such a deleterious effect on our planet. Many thanks to Kris Inglis, who liaises with Priscilla and the Council so that this event can take place. Thanks also to Ron and Paul for sorting out the gazebos. Well over £750 was raised for Greenpeace.
What is the significance of 108? The number 108 is sacred and significant in many ways, appearing in many disciplines from astronomy to yoga: The number 108 appears in ancient, sacred texts. For example, there are 108 Upanishads and 108 Tantras, and Mala bead necklaces have 108 beads, which are used to count during meditation. In Ayurveda, there are 108 sacred points on the body. In numerology, 108 equals 9, which symbolizes universal love, eternity and awakening. In astronomy, the distance between the Sun and Earth is roughly 108 times the Sun’s diameter.
Written by Cressida Senkus, Iyengar yoga teacher and FSP member
This photo is of the eager Bat-seekers that came along for our annual Bat Walk 7 September. Les had more bat facts for us and as usual a pipistrelle buzzed the crowd prompting the walk to start!
We explored the different environments in the park, getting our night vision sorted out and enjoying the pleasant weather. A tawny owl followed our progress for awhile (looking for mates not humans) and bats came out to display their aerobatic skills while gobbling their evening meal!
Thank you to everyone who managed the pre-booking. Please keep an eye out for another walk in May if you missed this one. And thanks for the donations on the night, these go towards a second bat detector.
If you would like to borrow the FSP detector for a week please follow link http://fspark.org.uk/…/Terms-and-conditions-for-loan-of-FSP-bat-detector.docx
Have a look at the Bat Conservation Trust website for loads more about these important creatures. www.bats.org.uk
You may not know but the extensive allotments at the edge of the Park have always been a substantial portion of Shrewsbury Park. On Sunday during the Summer Spree allotmenteers are offering tours of the plots and plenty of advice about growing your own.
Turn up at the Allotment gate at the end of Rowton Road or check at the FSP Membership stall at the Festival for directions.
FSP and Woodlands Farm have collaborated to offer a relaxing ramble through these two diverse green spaces. It will be a meandering walk discovering varied habitats, plants, wildlife and atmospheres.
Walk begins at the car park entrance to Shrewsbury Park on Plum Lane and includes the woods, Dothill allotments and nature reserve. We then follow Barry Gray through the Dothill gate to Woodlands Farm taking in more woods, hedgerows and the hay meadows in full bloom. Endpoint is the café with refreshments available! You can retrace the route to the Park or take the 89 or 486 bus back up the hill.
Cost: £2 – Children up to 16 go free. We will be walking through fields containing ewes and lambs, so sorry, NO DOGS allowed on this walk.
Wear sturdy shoes and clothes for the weather on the day. Any questions about accessibility etc. please contact werfs@gmail.com
Meet at Garland Road entrance This free walk will take about 1.5 hours and finish at the car park off Plum Lane.
Kevin Godby of GCDA leads the walk, suitable for beginners or those who want to revisit his Autumn foraging trail of last year in a new season. 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. A small teaspoon might be handy too…
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-weather walk!
Our Bird Walk was a success (despite grey skies) with an enthusiastic group of members plus some visiting RSPB spotters invited by Stuart. Between them all 23 different species were identified. The visitors were impressed by the habitats and birds Shrewsbury Park has to offer.
Nicky Wilson of RSPB Bexley wrote a wonderfully detailed and interesting report and graciously agreed to share it, so I’ll leave you to reading it yourself on this link. Thank you so much , Nicky!
Come join this FSP walk led by Stuart Banks, resident RSPB member, for an hour or two discovering what’s going on as the nesting season starts. The birdsong is growing every day!
The full route will be somewhat up and down but leisurely. Sturdy shoes and binoculars would be helpful. Email werfsp@gmail.com and we may be able to help with accessibility. Bus 291 stops at the gate.
Free to members, £2 for non-members.
Sorry no dogs, please.
This is a RAIN or SHINE walk!
