August 2019 – a spark in your veins

With International Bat Night coming up it’s great that there are three local bat walks in the next couple of weeks, at Shrewsbury Park, Woodlands Farm and Oxleas Woodlands.

The first of the three is next Friday, 23rd August in Shrewsbury Park. Kris, Chair of the Friends of Shrewsbury Park, sent me details:

Bat walk Friday 23 August – 8.15pm
After a short intro next to the notice board by the Plum Lane car park, Les Clark will lead us through the woods and glades where the bats hang out. Bat detectors supplied.
Booking essential –
eventbrite.co.uk/e/bat-walk-shrewsbury-park-se18-tickets-55871554323
*Wear sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate clothing
*Children must be accompanied by an adult
*Walk lasts about 1 ½ hours and small torches are useful
*Dogs must be kept on a lead
If you have mobility issues or enquiries please contact us on werfsp@gmail.com and we will help you participate. The trail is a mix of paved path, gravel and grass.
If it’s raining neither bats nor us will come out!

The Woodlands Farm bat walk is the following week, on Thursday 29th at 7.30pm, but I see from their web site that it is already fully booked.

The following day, Friday 30th August, the Friends of Oxleas Woodlands have their bat walk. Their August Update gave details:

Bat Detecting
Friday 30th 8pm
Meeting at dusk we will use bat detectors to track down these nocturnal residents in their natural woodland habitat.
The Friends of Oxleas Woodlands is a community organisation run by volunteers. Walks are free for members & under 16s, otherwise £3 and need to be booked at suereeve@virginmedia.com

Lots of opportunities for night-time walks in our local green spaces hunting for bats.

Sophie the Serotine Bat, one of Jenny Clark OBE's educations bats — Sophie the Serotine Bat, one of Jenny Clark OBE’s educations bats

Brown Long-eared Bat, one of Jenny Clark OBE's educations bats — Brown Long-eared Bat, one of Jenny Clark OBE’s educations bats

Hibernating Natterer's Bats in Highgate Tunnels — Hibernating Natterer’s Bats in Highgate Tunnels

View of the Old Blue Cross Pet Cemetery — The Old Blue Cross Pet Cemetery

Three special new memorials will be unveiled on Saturday, 10th August, at 2.00pm at the Old Blue Cross Pet Cemetery, including one remembering the pets euthanised in the second world war in the British Pet Massacre. Liz, chair of the Friends of the Pet Cemetery sent me details:

Memorial event at the Old Blue Cross Pet Cemetery
Saturday 10th August 2019 2.00 pm
At 2pm on the above date three new memorials will be unveiled at the old Blue Cross Pet Cemetery
A plaque in tribute to all animals that have lost their lives in conflict in the service of their country
A plaque in memory of the 2,500,000 Domestic Animals euthanised during WW11 on government orders
A plaque depicting the collar tag of a dog named Bonzo, found on Greenwich beach by a local Mudlark
We look forward to welcoming you to the Pet Cemetery where there are over two hundred little Memorial stones some dating back over one hundred years

Headstone in the Old Blue Cross Pet Cemetery

The new memorials are the result of research by one of my favourite local artists, Nicola White, who creates art using objects discovered when mud-larking along the Thames Foreshore. One such object was a dog tag for a dog named Bonzo: Nicola describes how she found the Bonzo ‘s owner in her Tideline Art blog. The tag also led her to a book, “Bonzo’s War: Animals Under Fire 1939 -1945” by Clare Campbell which includes the story of the “British Pet Massacre” in World War II. Some 2.5 million pets were euthanised, including 750,000 in a single week . Nicola’s story inspired a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for a memorial for these pets, leading to the memorials which are being unveiled on Saturday.

Liz also sent information about how to get to the Pet Cemetery, further information is available on the Friends’ website:

Visiting the Pet Cemetery
There is no parking on site, please park in Farjeon Road SE3 8SA or Charlton Park Lane SE7 8QS
Train from Charing Cross, Cannon Street, and Victoria to Blackheath
Bus 89 from Blackheath Station to Hornfair Park Lido
Look for the blue road sign opposite The Fox Under the Hill and take the path running alongside the flats and wall which will bring you to the Pet Cemetery
The Committee of the Friends of the Pet Cemetery, FOPC, hope you will be able to join us for this event
If you are interested in having a plaque made in memory of a much-loved pet to go onto the Memorial Wall
Please contact Liz McDermott Chair Friends of the Pet Cemetery FOPC
mcdermott_liz@hotmail.com 07815558680
Jean Patrick Secretary Friends of the Pet Cemetery FOPC jmp179@sky.com 07977208362

Memorial plaques in the Old Blue Cross Pet Cemetery

Month: August 2019

Bat Walks in Shrewsbury Park, Woodlands Farm and Oxleas Woodlands

Pet massacre memorial unveiling on Saturday