Keep a look out for Earthwatch projects around Lewisham parks this month. Blythe Hill Fields, Forster Memorial Park and Chinbrook Meadows are all getting “tiny forests” which you can find out about here
Our planting day in Chinbrook will be on 27th March and there will be lots to do so come and join us
I’m sure many of you are curious to see how the new wetlands area of Chinbrook Meadows is coming on. Come and join any of the planting events so you can see behind the scenes.
We had a busy year increasing the biodiversity in the park. Thanks to Big City Butterflies and Glendale and Lewisham Council for advice. Thanks to Groundwork London for an Our Space grant that enabled us to carry out so much planting, surveying and learning. we carried out eight different events ranging from small planting events to our wonderful Community Apple Day. When the numbers were added up we had 388 adults and 213 children involved either as volunteers or participants during the year
We all learnt more about the wildlife in our park and what we could do to help increase their numbers. In the year ahead we will be carrying out more surveys to improve our understanding and to enjoy our park to the full
We will be working to plant three varieties of native hedging, blackthorn, buckthorn and hawthorn. These are not plentiful in Chinbrook Meadows and, following advice from Butterfly Conservation and funding from Groundwork London, we will be planting 50 young plants to increase the biodiversity in the park.
We need your help and will provide refreshments for all our volunteers. Come and join us. Meet at the cafe at 10.30 or find us not far from the main playground if you arrive a bit later.
Thames 21 organised our first planting day recently in the new wetlands area. It was a cold day but that didn’t deter 19 volunteers from getting stuck in and planting 550 young plants on three levels around one of the new ponds.
The next planting day will be in Spring 2024. We are really looking forward to seeing the planting settle in and doing the work of filtering the water so that it enters the Quaggy in a less polluted state. Meanwhile, the local wildlife will really benefit from this new improved space.
Early ideas for this project were put forward in 2015. Lawrence Beale Collins worked with John Bryden at Thames 21 and Lawrence made this early design sketch below. Also involved were Nick Pond from Lewisham Council and Pete Ehmann from the Environment Agency
Lawrence worked with us Friends of Chinbrook Meadows to consult with as many local residents and park users as possible that year but then a combination of lack of funding and waiting for permissions held the project up till now. Thames 21 got funding confirmed in 2022 and were able to engage the contractors Aquamaintain who have created the four ponds on the old field, releasing the tributary from its culvert into the ponds where it will eventually filter through reedbeds. A little more information is available on Thames 21 website here
Have you seen what the diggers are up to in the field on the far side of the railway line, through the tunnel in the park? The Sustainable Drainage Scheme (SUDS) that Thames 21 have been planning for several years is finally underway. Once the ponds and paths have been created there will be planting to do. Take a look here if you want more information
The area was an old dairy so lots of bottles were found and tanks
Come along and hear about new plans for the park and bring your ideas to the table for us to discuss. Everyone is welcome and we will will have refreshments available
Date: Thursday 28th September
Time: 7-9pm
Venue: The Ringway Centre, Baring Road, SE12 0DS
.A number of concerns have been raised about the new “pay-to-play” system and I understand there have been difficulties since the work was first completed. The booking system seems to be in action when checked today (30th June) and the nets are in place. We have been assured by Lewisham Council that there will be a number of training opportunities for different levels and interest in the future and we hope to learn from other similar sites already in action across the borough.
Come and join us in the Meadows on 30th May from 1pm-4pm
Part of London Rivers Week, this fun-filled afternoon will include activities for both children and adults to explore Chinbrook Meadows. With the River Quaggy flowing through it, Chinbrook Meadows is filled with mature trees and meadow areas and provides a great opportunity for all in the family to relax and enjoy the wellbeing benefits of being in a nature rich green space and near water.
Quaggy Waterways Action Group will lead a fascinating walk around the area, talking about the history of the park and the restoration work to the river done so far. Thames21 will talk about the wetland creation project that will be happening in the southern part of the park later on in the year and show how to carry out a riverfly monitoring survey to investigate water quality in the River Quaggy.
Family friendly fun will include an opportunity for children and adults alike to view plants and mini-beasts collected from around the site under the microscopes of Quekett Microscopic Club. ChART will also be running a fantastic clay workshop inspired by the river led by local artist Lily German.
You will see us by the Quaggy near the boardwalk.
To receive an event reminder and update with more details as these become available please register for a FREE ticket here
Friends of Chinbrook Meadows 