Christmas Social on Thursday 5th December 2019, 7pm-9pm

Join us for our annual Christmas social on Thursday 5th December from 7pm-9pm which this year will be held at the new RUSS Co-housing Community Hub.  The building is located on the Co-housing construction site at the far end of Church Grove. 

Do you think you can tell your grey poplar from your silver birch?  Then join in the tree identification quiz on. Drinks and Snacks will be provided courtesy of the Larder, 71 Ladywell Road. 

All welcome but please RSVP ladywellfields@yahoo.co.uk so we can gauge numbers.  

Ladywell Fields User Group meeting, Thursday 26 September 2019, 7pm

Thursday 26 September 2019, 7pm
Venue:  Environmental Studies room, North Field (adjacent to Ladywell railway station)

We'll be covering issues including

1. a successful bid to the 'Greening Fund'
2. orchard news
3. enforcement against illegal mopeds in the park
4. cycling in the park
5. volunteering

We expect to have Glendale in attendance so should be able to cover any issues you would like to raise on maintenance, horticultural issues and service levels.

The action notes of the meeting can be viewed here.

Meetings and events for 2020

Ladywell Fields Orchard Volunteer Session, Saturday 24 August 2019, 10.30am-12.30pm

The fruit trees in the orchard would benefit from a late summer prune, which will stimulate the trees to produce fruit next year. We have therefore planned another work day for Saturday 24th August. Please come along to help and maybe learn something new about tree maintenance. Rendezvous at the orchard in the south end of Ladywell Fields, near the Bournville Road entrance. Even if it is warm, covered shoes are a good idea as there are thistles around the trees. Under 16s only with close supervision. Please bring your own (sharp) secateurs if you have them, but some tools will also be available to borrow.

Please email ladywellfields@yahoo.co.uk if interested, so we can gauge numbers. Hope to see you there.

Ladywell Fields Orchard

These pictures show fruit in Ladywell Fields Orchard growing nicely--July 2019--to be enjoyed soon.  If you'd like to give something back to ensure a rich harvest this and future years, and perhaps learn a lot about tree maintenance, why not come along to a Ladywell Fields Orchard Volunteer Session?  The next one will be held on Saturday 24th August,10.30 am -12.30 pm.

   

Food 'n' Fun in the Fields on Sunday, 18 August 2019

This year's Food 'n' Fun in the Fields will take place 12-6pm on Sunday, 18 August.

For Ladywell Fields User Group, Caroline will be leading a nature discovery walk, this time joining forces with Tom Moulton. 

Everyone welcome :)

Ladywell Fields User Group meeting, Thursday 6 June 2019, 7pm

Thursday 6 June 2019, 7pm
Venue:  Environmental Studies room in the North Field (adjacent to Ladywell railway station)

On the Agenda:

1. Apologies for absence

2. Action points from last meeting and any issues raised

3. S106 monies for Ladywell Fields: outdoor gym equipment, table tennis table

4. LBL Greening Fund: new bids up to £40k invited

5. Update on other issues, including motorbikes in the park

6. Park maintenance issues for Glendale

7. Volunteering sessions (August, date tbc) and planned events (Food n’ Fun, 18th August) 

Followed by walkabout in the park. 

Another community orchard work session, Saturday 25 May 2019, 10.30am

On 11th May we did good work weeding and mulching the orchard trees but we ran out of mulch. Having arranged for another delivery, we plan a follow up work session to finish the job. A fresh topping of mulch at this time of year will help to improve the soil and protect the trees from drought this summer.

We meet at 10.30am on Saturday 25th May at the orchard in the south end of Ladywell Fields, near the Bournville Road entrance. Even if it is warm, it's a good idea to wear stout covered shoes and trousers as there are thistles growing around the trees. Under 16s only with close supervision. Please bring your own bucket and work gloves if you have them, but some tools will also be available to borrow.

Please email ladywellfields@yahoo.co.uk if you are interested in coming, so we can gauge numbers. Hope to see you there.

Community orchard work session, Saturday 11 May 2019, 10.30am

The orchard trees would benefit from fresh mulch, which will improve the soil and help protect them from drought this summer. It is also a good time of year to check the stakes and guards around the trees. We have therefore planned another work day for Saturday 11th May, starting at 10.30am. Please come along to help and maybe learn something new about tree maintenance.

Rendezvous at the orchard in the south end of Ladywell Fields, near the Bournville Road entrance. Even if it is warm, it's a good idea to wear stout covered shoes and trousers as there are thistles growing around the trees. Under 16s with close supervision. Please bring your own bucket and work gloves if you have them, but some tools will also be available to borrow.

Please email ladywellfields@yahoo.co.uk if interested, so we can gauge numbers. Hope to see you there.

Ladywell Fields River Clean-Up, Sunday 7 April 2019

Quick reminder of our regular Spring River Clean-Up, this Sunday, 7 April.  Meet at 10.30 am at the (currently closed) cafe/WCs in the north field near Ladywell Station.

The event is facilitated by Thames21. Arrive in good time so that you don't miss their important safety briefing.  Children under 16 must be under the close and constant supervision of an adult.  Waders and all necessary safety equipment are provided.  We will finish at 1.00 pm. 

Ladywell Fields User Group meeting, Thursday 7 March 2019, 7pm

Venue:  Environmental Studies room in the North Field (adjacent to Ladywell railway station)

On the Agenda:

• Notes of last meeting and any issues raised 
• Potential new funded improvements to the park
• Illegal motorcycle use in the park 
• Proposed new shelter for the tennis courts 
• Update on the toilets in the north field and 
• Upcoming volunteering opportunities e.g river clean up and orchard maintenance. 

The action notes of the meeting can be viewed here.

New trees for middle field

Trees have now been planted along the new path in the middle field leading to the Catford Green development.    The species are Scarlet Oak, Holm Oak, English Oak and Elm as advised by the User Group.  The trees look very good but have limited root systems and will be vulnerable, particularly in the first year.  Under the terms of contract with  Glendale, the suppliers 'Trees for Cities' are looking after the trees for two years. As the weather becomes warmer and drier these trees will need to be watered regularly.  If you find any not receiving the necessary care please contact www.treesforcities.org.  

Meetings and events for 2019

Orchard spring pruning and maintenance, Sunday, 27th January

Our winter orchard maintenance session of Sunday 27th January coincided with the Iona Orchard volunteer work day and was well attended--many of us took part in both events.   The apple and pear trees were judiciously pruned, and some wire guard posts were replaced where they showed signs of rot.   All of this was done in spite of rain and thunder.  Many thanks to Caroline for her expert advice and instructions. 

 

Orchard volunteering session Sunday, 27th January 2-4pm

Our next community orchard maintenance session will take place from 2 - 4pm on Sunday 27th January.   We'll be doing a bit of winter orchard work, largely pruning but also checking guards and posts. Please come along to help and maybe learn something new about caring for trees. Rendezvous at the south end of Ladywell Fields, Bournville Road entrance. Boots and old clothes recommended. Under 16s only with close supervision. Please bring your own (sharp) secateurs if you have them, but some will also be available to borrow. Please email ladywellfields@yahoo.co.uk if interested, so we can gauge numbers. It is best to prune in dry weather, so if it is a wet day we are likely to postpone.

For those interested, there is a work day planned at the nearby Iona orchard on the same afternoon.  We shall also be able to visit this site which is not open to the general public.