1 Apr 2006 - Keeping in Touch Issue 35 - April 2006
ALAN WILLIAMS
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Alan Williams on Saturday 18th February 2006.
Alan, a dedicated conservationist and recycler also proved to be an excellent treasurer keeping BHCG accounts in good order up to a few days before he died. As a volunteer he worked on Fryent Country Park for many years planting and coppicing trees, digging ponds etc. and with his boyish sense of fun and adventure was often found climbing trees with a big grin from ear to ear.
When Alan became too ill to work on the park, he made Roe Green Walled Garden his base and recycling his mission. Aluminium was stripped from old windows, copper extracted from electrical cables, aluminium cans collected and sorted, brass fittings removed from old doors, sinks and baths, nothing escaped his clutches. All monies raised were ploughed back into Barn Hill Conservation projects.
We will all miss Alan not just for the huge contribution he made to BHCG but as a dear friend.
Rose
FRYENT COUNTRY PARK
Clipping away with my scissors at the interminable stems of blackthorn, the day found us on the uppermost reaches of the park, Bean Hill. Overlooking surrounding fields, we can lay some claims to the hedges lining them, having a hand in restoring not few. Dating from the Middle Ages, the field names are documented on a copy we have of a 16th century map. Demarking tenant farmers' plots from way back, 'Honey Slough' is so called for its mud, clinging like honey. Then 'Dormer's Mead' and 'Pages' both family names, they be. Each has a history to tell. From them, a glance upward to the left in the distance, a line of poplars skirts the woodland. Then skimming the horizon, Harrow Hill looms, the spires of its churches a much - painted landmark. Further to the right, the sprawl of suburbia, as if poised to encroach. Actually its presence ironically serves to enhance this ranging greenery in our midst.
Larry
BIRDS IN FRYENT COUNTRY PARK
When walking in Fryent Country Park it is very worthwhile taking the time to notice the birds around. Look and listen. If you have binoculars you can then spend time to appreciate the colouring and behaviour of the different birds.
There are a lot of resident birds on the park, from the smallest, wrens and bluetits, to the more colourful goldfinches, chaffinches, jays, and green or greater spotted woodpeckers. Blackbirds, starlings and robins are numerous. The larger woodpigeons perch in the trees with magpies and crows. Approach the ponds carefully and you may see a moorhen, duck or heron.
Watch overhead for our resident kestrel hovering to spy a vole or shrew, and if you are very quiet, and very lucky, you may see a sparrowhawk.
And then of course there are the visiting migrant birds. Some join us in summer and some during the colder winter months. In winter you may see redwings and fieldfares, and in summer we are joined by small willow warblers, reed warblers, whitethroat and reed bunting.
Enjoy bird-watching on Fryent Country Park
Brenda
RECYCLING NEWS
We as a group play our part in recycling. We recycle wood, non - ferrous metals, aluminium cans, books, toys and household items. We even use old bricks and stone for ornamental use in Roe Green Walled Garden. We promote and encourage recycling and, if you are not able to bring your waste to the Garden, we are very pleased to let you know of the Brent Reuse & Recycling Centre. Any business in, or resident of, Brent is encouraged to recycle items that are waste - broken, damaged or used.
This centre is an excellent Council initiative and a real paradise for greenies in Brent. Staff are on hand at the site to help and answer any questions you may have. This is what can be recycled at the centre: -
Plastic - all types, cans, aerosols, aluminium foil and trays, clear, brown, green bottles and jars, textiles, shoes, household and car batteries, engine oil, fluorescent lighting tubes, cardboard, paper, magazines, scrap metals - anything with metal in it, small electrical appliances, chipboard, plywood and MDF, clean, unpainted wood, ceramics, soil, garden waste, books, fridges and freezers, furniture in good condition (for reuse), printer and toner cartridges, mobile telephones, rubble and bricks
Please ensure that items are clean and dry and have no food residues on them!
Based in Abbey Road, Park Royal (at the North Circular (A406) end - not far from the Tudor Industrial Estate and Premier Park Road) the site is not as inaccessible as you may think. Take a full car load (minimize car journeys, please!) but note that there is a strict NO VANS policy.
Be really green and take public transport. Buses 224, PR2 and 440 stop near the site and the nearest tube (about 5 minutes walk) is Stonebridge Park (Bakerloo Line).
Please consider this site and make use of it to increase recycling in Brent and cut down on landfill. Convert your friends and never think that any contribution is insignificant!
Arabella
__________________________________________________________
WANTED: Non-ferrous metal such as aluminium (including al. drink cans), brass, copper; planks of untreated wood, such as floorboards (to make into bird and hedgehog boxes)
__________________________________________________________
Don't forget our plants and nearly new goods for sale at Roe Green Walled Garden.
Join us in our conservation projects at Fryent Country Park where we always have a choice of tasks. Look at is as a way of exercising in the fresh air, without costs. Refreshments are free. The projects programme is on our website shown below.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
22 April 2006 Open Day at Roe Green Walled Garden with a Victorian theme
13 May 2006 LB Brent are arranging a day of presentations on composting at Roe Green Walled Garden as part of composting week
27 May 2006 St Luke's Hospice Garden Party and 'Teddy bears picnic' at Roe Green Walled Garden
3 June 2006 BHCG Annual General Meeting 10.30 am at Roe Green Walled Garden
17 June 2006 Open Day at Roe Green Walled Garden
Contact numbers: 020-8206-0492 (answerphone) 0208-206-0589 (Chairman)
Also at our website: www.bhcg.ik.com
and at www.brent.gov.uk/parks (for the Biodiversity Action Plan)
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Alan Williams on Saturday 18th February 2006.
Alan, a dedicated conservationist and recycler also proved to be an excellent treasurer keeping BHCG accounts in good order up to a few days before he died. As a volunteer he worked on Fryent Country Park for many years planting and coppicing trees, digging ponds etc. and with his boyish sense of fun and adventure was often found climbing trees with a big grin from ear to ear.
When Alan became too ill to work on the park, he made Roe Green Walled Garden his base and recycling his mission. Aluminium was stripped from old windows, copper extracted from electrical cables, aluminium cans collected and sorted, brass fittings removed from old doors, sinks and baths, nothing escaped his clutches. All monies raised were ploughed back into Barn Hill Conservation projects.
We will all miss Alan not just for the huge contribution he made to BHCG but as a dear friend.
Rose
FRYENT COUNTRY PARK
Clipping away with my scissors at the interminable stems of blackthorn, the day found us on the uppermost reaches of the park, Bean Hill. Overlooking surrounding fields, we can lay some claims to the hedges lining them, having a hand in restoring not few. Dating from the Middle Ages, the field names are documented on a copy we have of a 16th century map. Demarking tenant farmers' plots from way back, 'Honey Slough' is so called for its mud, clinging like honey. Then 'Dormer's Mead' and 'Pages' both family names, they be. Each has a history to tell. From them, a glance upward to the left in the distance, a line of poplars skirts the woodland. Then skimming the horizon, Harrow Hill looms, the spires of its churches a much - painted landmark. Further to the right, the sprawl of suburbia, as if poised to encroach. Actually its presence ironically serves to enhance this ranging greenery in our midst.
Larry
BIRDS IN FRYENT COUNTRY PARK
When walking in Fryent Country Park it is very worthwhile taking the time to notice the birds around. Look and listen. If you have binoculars you can then spend time to appreciate the colouring and behaviour of the different birds.
There are a lot of resident birds on the park, from the smallest, wrens and bluetits, to the more colourful goldfinches, chaffinches, jays, and green or greater spotted woodpeckers. Blackbirds, starlings and robins are numerous. The larger woodpigeons perch in the trees with magpies and crows. Approach the ponds carefully and you may see a moorhen, duck or heron.
Watch overhead for our resident kestrel hovering to spy a vole or shrew, and if you are very quiet, and very lucky, you may see a sparrowhawk.
And then of course there are the visiting migrant birds. Some join us in summer and some during the colder winter months. In winter you may see redwings and fieldfares, and in summer we are joined by small willow warblers, reed warblers, whitethroat and reed bunting.
Enjoy bird-watching on Fryent Country Park
Brenda
RECYCLING NEWS
We as a group play our part in recycling. We recycle wood, non - ferrous metals, aluminium cans, books, toys and household items. We even use old bricks and stone for ornamental use in Roe Green Walled Garden. We promote and encourage recycling and, if you are not able to bring your waste to the Garden, we are very pleased to let you know of the Brent Reuse & Recycling Centre. Any business in, or resident of, Brent is encouraged to recycle items that are waste - broken, damaged or used.
This centre is an excellent Council initiative and a real paradise for greenies in Brent. Staff are on hand at the site to help and answer any questions you may have. This is what can be recycled at the centre: -
Plastic - all types, cans, aerosols, aluminium foil and trays, clear, brown, green bottles and jars, textiles, shoes, household and car batteries, engine oil, fluorescent lighting tubes, cardboard, paper, magazines, scrap metals - anything with metal in it, small electrical appliances, chipboard, plywood and MDF, clean, unpainted wood, ceramics, soil, garden waste, books, fridges and freezers, furniture in good condition (for reuse), printer and toner cartridges, mobile telephones, rubble and bricks
Please ensure that items are clean and dry and have no food residues on them!
Based in Abbey Road, Park Royal (at the North Circular (A406) end - not far from the Tudor Industrial Estate and Premier Park Road) the site is not as inaccessible as you may think. Take a full car load (minimize car journeys, please!) but note that there is a strict NO VANS policy.
Be really green and take public transport. Buses 224, PR2 and 440 stop near the site and the nearest tube (about 5 minutes walk) is Stonebridge Park (Bakerloo Line).
Please consider this site and make use of it to increase recycling in Brent and cut down on landfill. Convert your friends and never think that any contribution is insignificant!
Arabella
__________________________________________________________
WANTED: Non-ferrous metal such as aluminium (including al. drink cans), brass, copper; planks of untreated wood, such as floorboards (to make into bird and hedgehog boxes)
__________________________________________________________
Don't forget our plants and nearly new goods for sale at Roe Green Walled Garden.
Join us in our conservation projects at Fryent Country Park where we always have a choice of tasks. Look at is as a way of exercising in the fresh air, without costs. Refreshments are free. The projects programme is on our website shown below.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
22 April 2006 Open Day at Roe Green Walled Garden with a Victorian theme
13 May 2006 LB Brent are arranging a day of presentations on composting at Roe Green Walled Garden as part of composting week
27 May 2006 St Luke's Hospice Garden Party and 'Teddy bears picnic' at Roe Green Walled Garden
3 June 2006 BHCG Annual General Meeting 10.30 am at Roe Green Walled Garden
17 June 2006 Open Day at Roe Green Walled Garden
Contact numbers: 020-8206-0492 (answerphone) 0208-206-0589 (Chairman)
Also at our website: www.bhcg.ik.com
and at www.brent.gov.uk/parks (for the Biodiversity Action Plan)