October. The month when, on the 28th, we celebrate St Jude’s Day. For those of you who may not know, he is the patron saint of hopeless cases...............and I think we may need to call on him.
The month began well. The work party on the 4th had been scheduled, if you remember, as a day to tidy, or at least begin to tidy, the rose beds. To put it mildly they were a bit weedy and unkempt, and in need of some attention before winter weather sets in. How delighted we were, on that Saturday morning, to find one of the outer beds had been attended to and was looking good.
Some of the Friends spent the morning digging and weeding the other outer bed.
When we left only the centre one needed forking over, and the roses pruning of course. Volunteers only have limited time, as you know. So far, so good.
But this is where it gets strange. A few days after the work party certain rumours came to our ears, and these are they:-
1. The Friends of the Parks took over the care of the rose beds earlier in the year (so that’s why they haven’t been done!)
2. The Friends then found they could not manage them
3. They obviously omitted to tell anybody
19-10-08
4. Then they “killed” the roses by spraying them
FURTHERMORE
5. English Landscapes’ gardeners were “pulled off the job” to leave the Friends something to do at their work party (hence the unfinished borders).
M’Lud may I put it to you that on all counts the Friends of the Parks plead Not Guilty! And if we had failed to manage the task (that we had not taken on) we would have said so! Nor have we sprayed the roses with anything at all, but I believe we must thank Andy Thorn from English Landscapes at Kelsey Park for treating them for mildew and blackspot.
Point 5 is surely fantasy! “We don’t believe it!”
But oh! Don’t we wish we could have been there to witness the master class in pruning that has since taken place. We’re not used to this in Biggin Hill. It’s absolutely marvellous.
Other Work Party News
On 4th October enough Friends turned up to enable a second team to begin lifting the canopy of some of the trees adjacent to the 5-a-side football cage. This little area may have been planted with wildlife in mind, but the only undergrowth consisted of one much overgrown wild rose with vicious thorns, and odd patches of long scruffy grass, frequently the resting place for empty beer bottles and cans (by the dozen).... and dog waste (well, you couldn’t get under there very easily to clear it up!) Also the branches were so low that it was very difficult to litter pick without danger to eyes and backs.
You could hide a bus in there!
Dave at work with his big loppers. Ouch!
Next time we must remember the thingummy for putting in bags to make them stand up and stay open! Whatever it’s called!!
Does this steering wheel belong with the rest of the car parts we found in the Copse?
Just a few more branches to go!
I think that is a result. Don’t you?
Further ad hoc work parties have taken place during the month. Young oak, field maple, hawthorn, beech and ash trees have been “liberated” in two different areas of the Rec. Unfortunately a few seem to have been quite badly damaged at some time in the past. It is suggested that pupils from Biggin Hill Junior School planted these trees, probably about 15 years ago. It would be lovely if we could find any of these, now grown-up, children. I wonder if they have kept an eye on their nature project?
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Car park news...none yet...watch this space!
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Pavilion News
A meeting has taken place with all the user, and potential user, groups to discuss the best means of accommodating the various activities. At present, both adult and junior football clubs use the Pavilion on a regular basis. A snack bar is proposed once the fabric of the building is made secure and weatherproof. Initially this would only operate on football match days but opening times would likely be extended in the future. English Landscapes also want to store equipment in the garage so that it is convenient for their use in the local area. At present contractors work from Kelsey Park which is some distance away. I imagine they might be grateful for somewhere to make a cup of tea too! The Friends of the Parks are hoping for a space for their tools, as well.
Just a little reminder of times past!
Next Meeting
Tuesday 28th October (I hope that’s not an omen)
7pm at the Spitfire Centre
Following meeting -Tuesday 25th November- same time-same place.
Next Working Party
Saturday 1st November at 9.30am
Meet at the Rose Bed unless otherwise advised.
Queries, complaints, comments or suggestions about this newsletter to; bhfotp@googlemail.co.uk
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