On an overcast but warm Sunday afternoon in early October, the community gathered for another several hours filled with activities and goodwill. The event saw around 70 visitors, all eager to participate in the various activities and enjoy the early Autumn event. The light drizzle towards the end of the day didn’t dampen people’s spirits! The refreshment stall, managed by Chris Bates and Fiona Machen, was a popular spot, we offered a large selection of homemade cakes, treats and refreshments that brought in approximately £150 for the management of the woodland. The sweet treats were a hit, perfectly accompanying the day’s events.

One of the highlights was the spring bulb planting of daffodils, where participants got their hands dirty planting bulbs that will bloom into beautiful flowers come early Spring. Andrew Slade led the pond dipping activities, which fascinated both children and adults as they explored the aquatic life including the observation of newts.

Henry Medlam’s apple bobbing station was a source of much laughter and fun, while Rich Sylvester captivated young and old audiences with his storytelling and leaf printing sessions.

These creative activities allowed visitors to take home a piece of the day’s memories. Jerry Avis and Frank Smith did a sterling job manning the front gate, ensuring everything ran smoothly and welcoming each visitor with a warm smile. Finally, we had displays of photographs taken from our recent completion. The afternoon was a perfect blend of nature, creativity, and community spirit, leaving everyone looking forward to the next gathering, which is currently scheduled for early May next year.

Our next Open Day event is only a few days away! We’ll be welcoming you in to the woodlands from 2pm at our usual entrance at the bottom of Seren Park Gardens’ car park. There’ll be home-made cakes and refreshments, storytelling, opportunities to meet the Committee members and much more!

At the end of July, Jeremy Rosie and Andrew Slade started the delicate process of “rescuing” a self-seeded oak sapling that is located next to the path from the main entrance. It’s around 7 feet tall, so it’s been growing for a while, but unfortunately had fallen due to other trees being felled and also being covered in bramble. The photos and video show the 2 taking action to remove a fallen tree, bramble removal and finally the upright tree in it’s new position being supported by a stake.

Luckily the predicted bad weather didn’t arrive today, just the occasional light shower and no dark skies at all. The last few weeks of seemingly constant rain has been good for the plants. During our usual “bramble bashing”, some of the stems were a challenge to the secateurs! The below photo shows members of the local Good Gym attacking brambles in the Oak Glade area.

Young tree planting took place with new hazels being bedded in.

Committee member Jerry Avis can be seen in the accompanying photos fixing one of the broken steps at the entrance of the woodlands.

Finally, during the Greenwich & Bexley Hospice Event a few days ago, the apple trees had started to “self-thin” themselves out. While a few more were on the ground, so far there seems a good crop remaining on the trees.

The plants are really growing at the moment. It’s the turn of hogweeds to really stand and with heights of 4 or 5 feet, they are unmissable. Beetles, wasps, bees and flies are appreciate their small, white flowers.

We are already halfway through the year, how time is flying! The brighter days 9although not necessarily warmer) have resulted in an explosion of plant growth. The entrance area is now a dense patch of hogweeds. As can be seen below, although not in flower just yet, they’ll attract an abundance of bees, insects and hoverflies.

The usual work activities took place. Bramble “bashing” took place in the mini Glade area, assisted once again by the local Good Gym from Charlton. Below shows an area that was quickly taken over by bramble to the detriment of other less invasive species. Committee member Chris Bates and Pip O’Byrne can be seen weeding the areas.

The pond is looking good, with full water levels. Last month’s Spring Open Day saw newts being recorded in the pond as well as froglets being released here a few days ago. The yellow iris plants are doing very well.

At the woodland entrance, tall spikes of foxgloves are now in full flower, including the less-often-seen white-flowered variety. These plants were self seeded; it’s great to see nature helping out in the woodland!

Other activities included maintaining the tree nursery and planting more saplings on the edge border including hornbeams.