Ye who have a spark in your veins of cockney spirit, smile or mourn acccording as you take things well or ill;— Bold Britons, we are now on Shooter's Hill!
Another opportunity for bat enthusiasts, following the successful Shrewsbury Park bat walk, Woodlands Farm are holding a series of bat walks over the next few months, part of their recently launched Heritage Lottery Funded Farm Conservation project.
The walks will be held on the evenings of:
19th July at 8.30p
14th August at 7.45pm and
6th September at 7.00pm
and will cost £1 per person. Contact the farm Wildlife Officer, Lorraine, on 020 8319 8900 to book a place, or e-mail the farm at wildlife@thewoodlandsfarmtrust.org
The Sunset Survey couldn’t be easier! Simply spend the evening in your garden and watch out for any bats that fly past. Record how many bats you see, which species they are (if you think you know) and, most importantly, which direction they are flying from.
The Sunrise Survey involves going out just before dawn to look for bats swarming before they return to their roost. If you have already done the Sunset Survey and saw bats flying past, you should walk in the direction from which most of them seemed to be coming.
This survey is aimed at beginners and is an excellent way of contributing to the monitoring programme if you don’t have any previous experience of bat surveying.
I’ve heard that one of the bat species that can be seen at Woodlands Farm is the Daubenton’s Bat, which hunts its insect prey over the ponds there. So here, to whet your appetite for bat viewing, is a fascinating clip from Springwatch of Simon King filming Daubenton’s Bats hunting.
Greenwich Borough MPS, @MPSGreenwich, reported in twitter updates this afternoon that they had arrested three teenagers in connection with the vandalism at Woodlands Farm last week, and that they had charged an 18 year-old man with burglary. Stolen personal items had been recovered and returned to their owners.
Woodlands Farm was hit by vandals for the second time last Tuesday night, following the arson attack on the chicken coop just a couple of weeks ago. This time they were burgled, vandalised, sprayed with graffiti and animals were attacked – one hen was killed. Personal possessions were stolen or scattered around.
The pathetic people who carried out the attack killed a white hen which had been ill and quarantined away from the others while she was cared for by the farm’s volunteers. They also injured Bella the saddleback pig on her left shoulder, possibly with the fire extinguisher that was found in her pen, separated two recently born piglets from their mother, Cynthia the Oxford Sandy and Black Pig, and threw a pitch fork at the Gloucester Old Spot pigs.
Since the attack farm volunteers have been busy fixing broken windows, scrubbing and repainting to remove graffiti and comforting traumatised animals.
The farm will need to find about £2000 to replace the burnt out chicken coop, and now will also need to pay for repairs and improved security. They would welcome donations. They will be holding their annual Summer Show on Sunday July 1st to help raise funds to run the farm.
Reunited – Cynthia and her pigletsThe burnt-out remains of the chicken coop
Woodlands Farm are offering anyone interested in local wildlife the opportunity to be trained in ecological surveying and to take part in the monitoring of key species at the farm, they announced at a Launch Event last Thursday.
The Launch marked the award of a £38000 grant to the farm from the Heritage Lottery Fund for a Farm Conservation project, as their web site says:
The Woodlands Farm Trust is delighted to have received £38,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for an exciting new Farm Conservation project in Shooters Hill. Through the HLF funded Farm Conservation project, The Woodlands Farm Trust will be working with local communities and volunteers to increase awareness of the farm’s biodiversity and local conservation priorities, and to inspire local people to become actively involved in biodiversity conservation, This will include working with volunteers to to survey the farm’s biodiversity, and to establish a long-term monitoring programme and conservation management plan. The Trust will also be inviting local community groups to take part in wildlife and conservation activities at the farm, and will hold a series of public walks and talks on the wildlife found at Woodlands Farm.
In a presentation about the project, Lorraine Parish, the farm’s new Wildlife Officer said that the farm intended to survey and monitor species of conservation importance such as bats, birds, butterflies, dormice, dragon flies, great crested newts, moths and reptiles. As well as training wildlife enthusiasts in surveying techniques, they will run a programme of public events such as wildlife days, bat walks, moth mornings and nut hunts. The results of the work would contribute to London and local Biodiversity Action Plans.
The new project complements the farm’s work in sustainable farming, exemplified by their acceptance into Natural England’s Higher Level Stewardship Scheme.
The first stop on the tour was to visit Cynthia the Oxford Sandy and Black Pig and her newly born piglets, just a few days old – lots of aaahhs here. There were also seven new Gloucester old spot pigs from Mudchute Farm.
Cynthia the Oxford Sandy and Black Pig and her new pigletsOxford Sandy and Black Pig piglet feeding
Next stop was a chance to see one of the traditionally laid hedges bordering the farm’s fields, and hear about the hedge laying craft from some of the farm’s volunteers who lay the hedges themselves. An excursion through Clothworkers Wood, where some of the trees are over 300 years old, took us to one of the farm’s wild-flower embroidered hay meadows, again managed for conservation and habitat preservation. It was here that we saw an example of the magical missile-repelling Corky Fruited Water Dropwort! The tour concluded with refreshments by the dipping pond, accompanied by newts and other water creatures, and a visit to the farm’s beehives.
Anyone interested in becoming a wildlife surveyor should contact Lorraine, the Woodlands farm Wildlife Officer at wildlife@thewoodlandsfarmtrust.org or phone 020 8319 8900.
There are more pictures of the Woodland Farm animals on Flickr here.
Hannah, the Education Officer at Woodlands Farm, sent me details of their half term activities for children. I’ve added them to the e-shootershill calendar.
Wednesday 6th June
Pond Dipping
Sessions at 10am, 11am, 1pm and 2pm.
50p per child, accompanying adults free
Come and see what you can find hidden beneath the surface of the water. Using nets we will delve into this mysterious world. Age 4+
Booking is essential, call 020 8319 8900
Thursday 7th June
Toddler Club
10am-12pm
Come and join us as we meet the animals, do craft activities and have a play. Tea and coffee provided.
£2 per adult, children free
Friday 8th June
The Big Bug Survey
Drop by any time between 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm
Free!
Come join us and help us discover what invertebrates live on the farm.
Using different techniques we will be seeing what insects we have as well as what habitats are on the farm for them, we will be looking mainly at bees but some other insects as well. Who knows what we may find.
For more information or to book contact Hannah on 020 8319 8900 or via email at education@thewoodlandsfarmtrust.org
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 Greenwich
Nearest 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
Education Officer
(registered charity no. 1051680)
The Woodlands Farm Trust
331 Shooters Hill
Welling, Kent
DA16 3RP
Telephone: 020 8319 8900
Email: education@thewoodlandsfarmtrust.org
Website: www.thewoodlandsfarmtrust.org
There’s a new arrival at the farm to visit if you drop in: Cynthia an Oxford Sandy and Black Pig. Cynthia is expecting piglets in a few weeks time, so it’s just possible they may have been born by half term and there’ll be a chance to see some more new arrivals.
There’s a great opportunity to see the bluebells in Oxleas Wood this Sunday, 6th May when the London Wildlife Trust have arranged a Bluebell Walk. The walk will be led by Mary O’Sullivan of the LWT and Dr Barry Gray, who is Chair of the Trustees of Woodlands Farm. It is expected that the walk will last 1 to 2 hours, but people can join or leave at any time. It starts at 2.15pm (meet at 2.00pm) at the Oxleas café and finishes opposite Woodlands farm on Shooters Hill Road, so there’s a chance to visit the farm and see their new lambs as well.
It’s coming up to a busy time at Woodlands Farm, with the lambing season about to start. The pregnant ewes have been brought in to the barn, and volunteers who have been trained in lambing techniques are preparing themselves for early mornings and late nights as part of the lambing rota. This year I’d imagine there are additional worries about the possible effect of the Schmallenberg virus.
There will be a chance to see the newborn lambs, and to enjoy the stalls and other activities at Lambing Day on Sunday 15th April. Maureen from the farm e-mailed their poster, above, and said:
All are welcome at the Woodlands Farm Trust Lambing Day. Come and see our newborn lambs, and enjoy the chance to buy quality local produce at reasonable prices, including homemade preserves, cakes and honey. Relax in our Café, enjoy the treasure hunt or get involved in craft activities.
Entry is £1 for adults and 50p for children, and all proceeds go towards caring for our animals. A great family day out!”
Nearest tube: North Greenwich
Nearest 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.
If you can’t wait until the 15th to see the baby lambs, here are some pictures from last year’s Lambing Day.
Lamb at Woodlands FarmLamb and its mother at Woodlands farmLamb at Woodlands Farm
Hannah, the Education Officer at Woodlands Farm, sent me details of their Easter Holiday activities for children. I’ve added them to the e-shootershill calendar.
1st April – 9th April
Animal Egg Spotting trail
Not only chickens lay eggs – come and explore the farm and find the hidden animals which lay eggs – you may be surprised what you find!
Self guided trail available when farm open – Free!
Tuesday 10th April
Spring on the Farm
10am-12pm
£1 per child, accompanying adults free
Spring is here and this is the chance to meet the baby animals on the farm. We will be doing crafts, games and seeing the new animals.
Booking is essential, call 0208 319 8900.
Wednesday 11th April
Marvellous Minibeasts
10am -12pm
£1 per child, accompanying adults free
What is crawling around in the leaves and what is hiding under those logs? Join us as we go exploring in the woods to find what minibeasts are lurking about.
Booking is essential, call 0208 319 8900
Thursday 12th April
Toddler Club
10am-12pm
£2 per adult, children free
Meet the animals, enjoy some crafts or just play.
For more information, see our website or contact Hannah Forshaw on education@thewoodlandsfarmtrust.org
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 Greenwich
Nearest 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.
Lleyn sheep at Woodlands Farm
There are more pictures of animals at Woodlands farm here.
I was surprised on a trip to Thompsons Garden Centre to find that the Blackheath Donkeys weren’t in their field at the side of the car park. Along with other gardening shoppers I often pause to see how they are doing before heading in to the garden centre. Then I remembered that an article in the Mercury had said that Greenwich Council had agreed with the owner, Lenny Thorne, that the donkeys would have a new field near Eltham Palace. Intrigued, I decided to pay them a visit.
There are a lot of fields near Eltham Palace, I discovered, and most of them seem to have equine inhabitants. The Palace itself was closed for the winter, but the surrounding gardens were beautiful in the crisp, clear winter air with a carpet of snowdrops under the trees. I checked the fields round the edges of the gardens, but there was no sign of the donkeys. I decided to try the other side of the palace.
The meander down King Johns Walk has a very rural feel, which is increased when it meets the fields at the bottom of the hill. This section of the Green Chain Walk is idyllic, with fields of horses and ponies on either side of the path and panoramic views of Central London from Canary Wharf via the Gherkin and Shard to the London Eye. The donkeys were in a field near a sign post telling me I was half a mile away from the Tarn and half a mile from Eltham Palace. They had moved last Wednesday, I was informed, and had settled in quite well and seemed happy in a field that was better drained than their old pasture and had good grazing.
So the field is now clear for the Equestrian Centre to be built between Woodlands Farm and the garden centre. I hope the donkeys get as many visitors as they did in their old home. I will put some more pictures of them in their new home on flickr.
One of the items you can make during half-term week!
Thanks to Woodlands farm for sending in news of their forthcoming half term events.
As spring approaches the birds are starting to look for somewhere to nest. Although there is normally plenty of food available during this time, there are increasingly less natural nesting areas. This is why it is so important to put up nest boxes.
During half-term we are running a ‘Bird Box Day’ where you can come and make a special box to put up in your own garden and support the birds as they set up home during nesting season. We will be building open fronted bird boxes, which are a favourite for robins and wrens, and can also be used by pied wagtails and spotted flycatchers. To build your very own nest box, come along to Woodlands Farm on 14th February between 10am-2pm to build your box. It costs just £3 and all materials are provided.
On Wednesday 15th February from 10am-3pm we are running the ‘Carrier Bag Creatures’ activity (see picture). Pop in any time to create your creature using just carrier bags and newspaper. You can make anything from a chicken, to an ant or whatever creature you can imagine. This event is free, so just pop by and see what you can create.
On Thursday 176th February we are holding our regular Toddler club event, which runs from 10am to midday and the cost if £2 for adults.
On Friday 17th February between 10am and 2pm we are getting ‘Wild in the Woods’. This will be a chance to come along and explore our woodland at The Woodlands Farm. With a variety of activities including scavenger hunts, woodland art and shelter building there will be plenty of things to ‘get wild’ at! This activity is free so come along anytime between 10am-2pm and join in the woodland fun! We will be out whatever the weather so warm, waterproof clothing is recommended.
