Tagged: conservation RSS

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  hilly 11:21 am on February 12, 2013
  Tags: conservation, walks ( 13 )   

  MoD close footpath – permanently 

  

  MoD notice that footpath is closed permanently

  Steve e-mailed me to say that the MoD has closed the footpath next to the former Cottage Hospital on Shooters Hill, without any consultation and at very short notice. There is a notice about the closure of the footpath at one end of the footpath which has been completely blocked with fencing at each end.

  

  Academy Place end of the path

  

  Shooters Hill end of the path

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Steve wrote:

  Just to let you know about a permanent footpath closure next to the Red Lion Lane bus stop and the former Castle Wood Day Hospital, now social housing just below Red Lion Lane on Shooters Hill.
  Closure took effect on Monday 4 February and was done without any public consultation. The footpath is well established and I first saw a notice about closure on Friday 1 February.
  The notice which is from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation gave the phone number 020 8781 3157 for the Estates Team Leader. The reason for closure is litter and nuisance to residents on the M.O.D. estate; also the footpath is on land owned by the M.O.D. but then so too is Woolwich Common!
  The litter problem is not new and could be dealt with by the M.O.D./Greenwich Council and the Neighbourhood Watch could address any nuisance issues.
  Followers of e-shootershill might want to challenge this decision and get it reversed.

  The blocked path is shown on the Google Map snippet below. As Steve says it is an established path, frequently used by members of the public. My rambles round the area often include the path as part of an alternative to Red Lion Lane. This way down to the bottom of Red Lion Lane near the Shooters Hill Campus has a very open, rural feel and passes close to the embankment of the former miniature rifle range shown in the 1914 OS map of the area. Although it is MoD land it is open to the public at both ends and the path closure won’t prevent general access to the area. Quite a lot of land in the area is MoD owned, including  Woolwich Common.

  

  Google Map snippet showing blocked path

  I tried a number of times to get through to the Estates Team Leader on 020 8781 3157, but always got an answerphone. However I did manage to talk to Chris at the Defence Infrastructure Organisation via their Aldershot office. He explained that the path had been closed because of nuisance caused to local residents by schoolchildren gathering there after school – it had become a local meeting place -  and there were also concerns about food and litter dropped there. They had checked their records and confirmed that the path was privately owned by the MoD and had consulted the local council before putting up a notice saying the path would be closed. He also pointed out that Red Lion Lane provided a nearby  alternative route.

  If we want to express concern about the closure and ask for the path to be reopened we can do so via e-mail to dioopssouth-lms13d1@mod.uk, and we can always contact local MP Clive Efford on clive@cliveefford.org.uk. I have an increasing collection of letters from Clive on House of Commons headed note paper so I’ll be interested to hear what he thinks about this.

  hilly is discussing. Toggle Comments

   
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    hilly 5:48 pm on February 14, 2013

    The closure can be reported to Greenwich Council through their on-line form to report an obstruction: https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/site/scripts/xforms_form.php?formID=96&language=en

    And also to the Ramblers at: http://www.ramblers.org.uk/what-we-do/protecting-where-we-walk/report-a-path-or-access-problem.aspx

    Reply
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  hilly 8:26 pm on January 22, 2013
  Tags: conservation, events ( 100 ), walks ( 13 ), woodlands farm ( 60 )   

  Woodlands Farm: February Half Term and Conservation Activities 

  

  Sheep number 1 in the snow

  Woodlands Farm seem to be very busy organising events for the public. I’ve received three communications from them recently, two about conservation related events and one about activities for children during the February half term break.

  Hannah, the farm’s Education Officer, sent me details of the half term activities. Her e-mail included the flyer below and the activity details.

  

  Tuesday 19th February — Felt Making
  10am-3pm 50p
  Did you know that felt is made from sheep’s wool? Join us at Woodlands Farm as we make some amazing felt flowers, butterflies and other animals using just wool. This is a fun and messy activity which everyone can enjoy. No need to book just come along.

  Wednesday 20th February — Get Wild in the Woods
  11am-3pm FREE
  Come and join us in the woods as we learn how to survive in the wild. Have a go at shelter building, wild cooking over a fire and learn what animals need to survive. Age 6+. No need to book just come along.

  Friday 22nd February — Help the sparrows: Build a Bird Box Day
  10am-2pm £5 per box
  Help the birds in your garden by putting up a bird box for them ready for the nesting season. In London the number of house sparrows is dramatically decreasing so make a box to encourage them back into your garden. Booking is essential for this event, to book call 020 8319 8900.

  Woodlands Farm is located on the borders of the London boroughs of Bexley and Greenwich. At 89 acres, it is the largest city farm in the UK. Our priorities are education and conservation, and we are part of the Natural England Higher Level Stewardship Scheme. Our education programme attracts visitors from pre-school to third-age groups. The Trust aims to involve local community groups, schools, volunteers and businesses in farming and conservation, helping to bridge the current town-country divide. We are open 9.30am-4.30pm, Tuesday-Sunday (except Christmas Day). There is no entry charge except for special events, though donations are always welcome.

  Nearest tube: North GreenwichNearest BR: Welling

  Buses: 486 and 89

  We are a farm so sensible shoes and clothing are recommended! We do allow dogs, but please note that these must be kept on a lead and not taken into any farm buildings.

  Hannah Forshaw

  I also received information from Lorraine, the farm’s Wildlife Officer,  about a Winter Wildlife Walk to find out about the farm’s hedges, thickets and fields  which is scheduled for  Sunday 3rd February 2013  at 10.30am, and  future Conservation Workdays at the farm. The workdays will provide an opportunity to get involved with hedge laying.

  

  

  The farm is covered in snow at the moment, and a lot of the animals are in the barns. Even Aerial the farm cat is snuggled into the hay for warmth. I’m glad to see that a shelter has been built for Bob the pony so he can get out of the cold, though his thick coat should help keep him warm.

  

  Bob the pony in the snow

  

  Bob the pony

   
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  hilly 12:02 pm on December 8, 2012
  Tags: conservation, equestrian centre ( 5 ), woodlands farm ( 60 )   

  Farm Conservation 

  

  Cynthia and Bella

  Conservation and improvement of biodiversity are central to what Woodlands Farm is trying to achieve, and their efforts have been recognised by accreditation to Natural England’s Higher Level Stewardship Scheme. Their conservation work includes management of  grazing land as traditional hay meadows, restoration of farm woodlands to benefit wildlife and the laying of new hedgerows. If you’re interested in learning how to lay hedges using traditional methods then go along to the farm at 10.30am tomorrow, 9th December,  when there’s a Farm Conservation  Volunteer Workday.

  There’s also a chance to find out more about the farm’s conservation work on Sunday 16th December at 11.00am when they are holding a Farm Conservation Walk. As their poster, included below,  says:

  Join our Farm Manager and Wildlife Officer for a walk around Woodlands Farm to look at wildlife habitats across the farmland and to find out about how we manage the farm for the benefit of wildlife conservation.

   £1 per adult, 50p per child, farm volunteers free.

  Please book in advance. You will need sturdy footwear and suitable outdoors clothing. Please leave a contact number when booking so we can reach you if the weather is unsuitable. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at the Education Centre.

   The farm’s new neighbour, the Equestrian Centre, is close to completion – the project plan on their fence shows that building work ended in October. It is a state-of-the-art facility, with a well-equipped equine therapy centre, stabling for up to 24 horses, a deep, swim-through pool for horses and an indoor dressage arena with spectator seating. There was a lot of local opposition to the plan to build the centre on Metropolitan Open Land, and concern about its impact on the farm’s conservation work. I’m sure the farm will be monitoring this closely, and on the plus side maybe they now have a nearby buyer for their hay.

  There are also safety concerns about horses crossing the busy Shooters Hill Road – a new crossing has been built, though it looks to me more like a Pelican than a Pegasus crossing -  and worry about the ecological and other  impacts of horses riding through Oxleas Wood.

  It is expected that Hadlow College, who will be running the centre, will move in during spring next year. However before they start using the facility one of the council’s conditions is that:

  a community use scheme shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The agreement shall allow for a minimum of 82 hours of community access each week and set out how residents of the London Borough of Greenwich will have priority access to the community facilities.

  It’ll be interesting to see whether, and how,  things change after the farrm’s new neighbours move in.

  

   
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  hilly 9:34 am on August 20, 2012
  Tags: conservation, woodlands farm ( 60 )   

  Woodlands Wildlife 

  

  Lorraine, the Wildlife Officer at Woodlands Farm sent me an e-mail with details of their forthcoming wildlife surveys and walks, part of their Heritage Lottery Funded Farm Conservation project. Lorraine wrote:

  Please find attached information about upcoming Wildlife Surveys and Bat Walks at Woodlands Farm, including the following surveys and walks:

  Butterfly survey – 24th August at 11am
  Reptiles surveying – 3rd September at 2pm
  Bat walk – 6th September at 7pm
  Dormouse nut hunt – 10th Sept, drop by 2-4pm
  Bat walk – 25th September at 6.45pm

  We will also be setting out kit across the farm for Reptile Surveys on Monday 20th August, starting at 2pm.

  If you would like to join us for one of the wildlife surveys or bat walks, or to help with the reptile work, please get in touch (contact details below).

  Best wishes

  Lorraine

  Lorraine Parish
  Wildlife Officer

  The Woodlands Farm Trust
  331 Shooters Hill
  Welling, Kent
  DA16 3RP

  Tel: 020 8319 8900
  Email: wildlife@thewoodlandsfarmtrust.org
  Website: http://www.thewoodlandsfarmtrust.org
  Charity Number: 1051680

  There are some more new farm animals to see at Woodlands: as well as the rare Irish Moiled cattle, there is a new British White calf. Clover gave birth on the day before the Olympics opening ceremony, and her calf has been named Olympus.

  

  Olympus, newly born British White calf

  

  Clover, the British White, and her new calf Olympus

  

  Irish Moiled cow

   
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  hilly 10:10 am on August 19, 2012
  Tags: conservation, eaglesfield park ( 29 ), events ( 100 )   

  Eaglesfield Pond Tidy-up on 26th August 

  

  The Friends of Eaglesfield Park are holding the second of their monthly meetings at the Lilly Pond on Sunday 26th August from 11.00am to 1.00pm. They are looking for help with the maintenance of the pond and its surrounding wild flower meadow, and there is an opportunity to do some pond dipping. Madeleine from the Friends e-mailed me the details:

  Responding to enthusiastic suggestions by members of the local community attending the opening of the restored pond, we have begun meeting regularly on the last Sunday of the month between 11.00 am and 1.00pm and would like to invite anyone to join us to help with weeding, planting, litter clearing and pond dipping activities.
  Our first “Tidy up/Pond Dipping Session” was on 29th July but sadly only 4 FOEP committee members arrived. Although the sun did make an appearance, the weather was very unsettled and we finally abandoned our efforts due to heavy rain. However, before the rain, we were delighted to welcome a family with young children who enjoyed the opportunity to try out pond dipping. They were very successful, including 8 newts and various other “things” yet to be identified. We are all beginners as far as pond dipping is concerned and pictures and charts are not always very helpful! If anyone has any experience or knowledge of identifying pond creatures, we would be very pleased to have the benefit of their expertise!
  The wildflower meadow has certainly changed since it was seeded in March. With so much rain everything has really grown fast, and we need to make sure the unwanted weeds and brambles are removed. In early autumn the meadow will then be cut down and raked off to allow the wildflowers to develop for next year. Unfortunately about a third of the meadow was not seeded in Spring due to the volume of rain we received making the ground unworkable. We hope to complete the seed planting in early autumn and again the area will need good preparation (digging, weeding, raking, etc).
  Keeping to our commitment to meet up on the last Sunday of the month, we have planned another “Tidy Up/Pond Dipping Session” on Sunday 26th August – 11.00 am – 1.00 pm (weather permitting). Even if you are unable to help with gardening, why not come and have a go at pond dipping – it’s great fun for all the family – we have the fishing nets! Come and see us – even if you are just walking your dog! We would very much like to hear your suggestions regarding the future development of the park and how we can best ensure the unique environment of the park and the newly restored pond and meadow area continue to flourish and provide a haven for wildlife and a space for contemplation and tranquility for local residents and visitors.
  We really do need your help though! Without the very basic management, the pond and meadow could soon, once again, become overgrown, unattractive and unable to sustain the variety of flora and fauna we are aiming to establish. Please join us. Whatever time you can spare will be appreciated. If you have any comments or suggestions regarding Eaglesfield Park, we would like to hear from you – email: foepse18@hotmail.com.

  Eaglesfield Park must have the juiciest blackberries around at the moment, and lots of them in the lower part of the park, so it’s well worth a forage. You can also see the first Lilly flower on the recently refurbished Lilly Pond!

  

  First Lilly flower on Eaglesfield Park Lilly Pond

  

  The Lilly Pond August 2012