Brockley Common Update

On Sunday 24th February a couple of volunteers helped carry out a quick tidy up of the edible garden and the planting of sweet peas, rhubarb and herbs including Thyme and Rosemary. The Artichokes seem to have suffered somewhat by the contractors constructing the new cycle shelter as they decided to use and cut some of the paving slab stepping stones to replace others near to the cycle shelter and in the process trampled all over the artichokes..sigh. There is lots of lambs lettuce available to pick and it would appear that the fruit bushes planted late last year have taken. The garden has also gained a seat in the form of a cut tree trunk which used to live in one of the cafes on Coulgate Street and was kindly donated to Brockley Common so take a seat and contemplate the next time you're there...

The garden post tidy up and planting

The Brockley Cross Action Group were also on site and we helped them to tidy up the larger beds as well as taking down some of the fencing where the planting is now well-established. At the recent BXAG meeting it was suggested that gardening sessions become a regular monthly event. More news on that and other Brockley Common items to follow...

Community Gardening - Sunday 24th February

A date for your diary as we carry out our first community gardening event of the year on SUNDAY 24th FEBRUARY (12 noon - 4pm) in conjunction with the Brockley Cross Action Group (BXAG).

 

The BXAG will be holding a general tidy up session from midday - 4pm. Details from BXAG Chair, Rupert below:

 

This is our annual spring clean so a good attendance will be essential! We will be doing the usual litter picking, weeding & pruning and will do our once a year clear out of all the rubbish in the wildlife area. I think we also need to do two other things: (i) bag up all the excess green waste at the back of the site for the Council to collect and (ii) take down some of the temporary fencing which is now well and truly rotting, as you can see down at street level.

 

Besides this we would suggest that we spend from midday - 2pm concentrating on our plot and also the areas around the base of the Brockley Rd trees planted last year to get it into shape. Depending on the weather we may also put in some new plants if we have them but would encourage anyone who has any cuttings to bring them along too.

 

As ever please remember to wear suitable clothing, shoes and bring some gloves.

 

If you can't make it the whole session that's not a problem, just come for whatever time you can. With the BXAG beds having now had a good couple of years to take root this could be the best year yet for the areas around the station so if you want to part of this just turn up!  

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