Waes Hael!

Sunday 27th January saw the annual Wassail take place at the orchard on Hilly Fields. Last year was a rather snowy affair and we just missed that this year alas melted snow makes for a very wet ground under foot!

This year was arguably the best wassail yet as we improved on the whistles and pots from previous years with the addition of an accordion and violin to help us along with the singing of traditional and improvised wassail songs. After toasting all the trees in the orchard we finished off with a tasty hot drink rich in the traditional of wassail.

Toasting the trees

Pre-toasting singing

Hilly Fields Events - Sunday 27th January

A busy weekend of events in Lewisham coming up with the demonstration against the closure of Lewisham A&E on Saturday and two events in Hilly Fields on Sunday.

First up sees Hilly Fields taking part in a national survey,  The Big Birdwatch. Details below:

Following the bird watching is the return of the annual Wassail event at the orchard. Details below:

Meet at the Orchard on Hilly Fields!

Local community events

Lots of community events coming up, details below:

VERTICAL VEG - A Gardening Workshop - Talk with Mark Ridsdill Smith
Saturday 26th January 2:30 - 3:30pm St.Mungo's Centre, Hither Green SE13 6JQCost £5. To book a place contact: LewishamGardens@gmail.com

Mark, of Vertical Veg, will share the secrets of how to grow food successfully in containers,
on balconies, window sills and patios. You'll learn which crops do best (even in shady spaces), which containers to choose, and how to keep your compost fertile and well watered.
This course is designed for beginners or those with little experience.
There will also be the option to continue your learning online.
Mark specialises in growing food in containers and tiny spaces
and has grown over £900 of food on a balcony and window sills
in one year. See www.verticalveg.com for more information.


NO DIG GARDENING
Saturday 2nd February 11am-Midday Start St. Saviour's Edible Garden, Brockley Rise, SE23


Ruth writes:
I'm planning ahead here, because it's actually snowing copiously at the moment!
Please come along and do some no dig gardening at St Saviour's Edible garden.
Tools and refreshments provided.
Please wear comfortable clothing and supervise kids under 14 (if they are with you)
For info, text Ruth 07766 596600Look forward to see you!
http://www.projectdirt.com/apps/event/12500/

ORCHARD RESTORATION WORKSHOP

3 orchard restoration workshops to be held at Sydenham Garden's de Frene site (off de Frene Road in Sydenham).

DATES:

Tuesday 29th Jan, Tuesday 5th Feb and Saturday 16th Feb 2013. The sessions will be led by London Orchard Project.

Booking essential. Fee £15 to cover costs. See attached flyer and application form.

This will also be a chance to see the de Frene site and learn about plans to make it a successful food growing area.

Please visit www.sydenhamgarden.org.uk/ to find out more about Sydenham Garden

Brockley Common Edible Garden UPDATE

Valerie has emailed with an update on the edible garden at Brockley Common which is looking well with the soft fruit cuttings (Josterberry and Raspberry) planted late last year coming through and budding. The Lavender, Globe Artichoke and Strawberries are all flourishing and there is a large amount of lambs lettuce ready to pick.

Next session to tend the garden likely to be in early to mid March.

The Edible Garden in late November

Brockley Christmas Market 2012

It was cold, a bit wet at times and tales of men running round Brockley with pitchforks but nothing dampened the spirit of another successful Christmas market on Coulgate Street. This year BXAG roped us in to help out on one of the two stalls selling mince pies and mulled wine and we sold out proving that Brockleyite's love a hot drink mixed with music, craft stalls and lots of people.

Thankyou to everyone who popped by to say hello and of course purchased our wares!

Transition Brockley stall manned by the lovely Valerie, Ruth and  Michelle

Community Gardening in Action!

Saturday saw local groups (TTB/BXAG and Brockley Society) alongside members of the public help to tidy up various areas around Brockley Station and Brockley Rd that were in need of some work.

Brockley Common saw a big effort on the flower bed next to the new ticket barriers where bindweed had taken over and hidden or even started to kill off some plants. The edible garden was weeded and new plants put in. Currently there are tomatoes, artichokes, strawberries, blackcurrants, raspberries and lots of mint in the garden amongst many other plants.

Thanks to David the wildflower meadow had its annual cut and Nicola from the Brockley Society did a sterling job in cleaning out and weeding one of the tree pits for the new trees on Brockley Rd. Photos from the areas in question can be seen below but I would urge you to visit yourself and engage with your local environment!

Before - During - After - The bed adjacent to the new ticket barriers at the station

The wildflower meadow - post cut

The tidied up tree pit on Brockley Rd

The Edible Garden at Brockley Common

Some sad news to report is that British Transport Police appear to have taken it upon themselves to remove the recently constructed compost enclosures at Brockley Common presumably on the basis that someone could leap about 10ft off them over the fence and into the station grounds. Craziness! Another article on that particular issue to follow however not wishing to end on a sad note so thanks to the efforts of all the volunteers Brockley now looks cleaner, smarter and a happier place to be! 

Goldsmiths Community Permaculture Event

Ruth recently posted this up on the Transition Lewisham email circular with details of a workshop children with the aim of looking at nature in a new way. Details below:

GOLDSMITHS COMMUNITY GARDEN

is hosting a free fun-packed permaculture
 day for parents with children age 6 – 12

Saturday 15th September ~ 11am to 3pm

LOOK AT NATURE …..IN NEW WAYS!

Discover PATTERNS IN NATURE

Learn about theWEB OF LIFE

(how plants & animals are connected)

and help build a HERB SPIRAL!

Where: Room 3, Goldsmiths Community Centre, Castillon Road, SE6 1QD

Map: http://www.goldsmithscommunitycentre.info/#/contact-us/4534120561

Bring a packed lunch or lunch to share

Refreshments provided: Drinks, fruit and biscuits

Maximum 3 places per family (eg 1 parent + 2 children).

There are 15 places in total

 For more information / to book please email:

organicgardener@yahoo.co.uk