Friends of Richmond Park

News about the Park

Latest news from the Friends

Overview:

Royal Parks' August news

Information from the Royal Parks team in Richmond Park

If you are a member of the Friends, and would like to receive these monthly diaries by email, please send your name and email address to cottonbarbara@yahoo.co.uk

RICHMOND PARK DIARY: AUGUST

DEER: Now that the antlers are fully-grown, the 'velvet' covering becomes redundant. It dies and shreds before the deer thrash their antlers against vegetation to rub it off. At this time they may be seen briefly with blood stained tatters of skindangling across their faces.

TAMSIN TRAIL: This 10 km circular path used by cyclist and pedestrian has now been improved over its entire length. We appreciate this work caused some minor inconvenience to Park users but trust everyone understands the need to maintain this very popular path.

NEW HORSE RIDE: A new length of horse ride has been built around Prince Charles Spinney. It replaces a stretch that used to run alongside Test Hill but had become so worn that it was impassable. The old route is now closed and will be reinstated to protect the tree roots from further damage.

BRACKEN CONTROL: Where Bracken is invading areas of valuable acid grassland, it is being controlled by 3 different methods. The Shire horses 'bruise' the stems by pulling a specially designed bladed metal roller, which bends and crushes the Bracken fronds. Although less effective, we also harvest Bracken, which is composted to provide acidifying mulch for the rhododendrons in Isabella Plantation. Thirdly we treat Bracken with a selective herbicide, when appropriate. Other areas are retained to provide cover for birds and deer, which like to give birth and shelter their young in the dense foliage.

RAGWORT: This yellow grassland flower is an agricultural pest because it is poisonous to livestock. However, is also provides a useful nectar and food source for insects, attracting numerous butterflies and Cinnabar Moth caterpillars. The decision to control Ragwort (or not) always attracts debate, and arguably there is no right answer. The Royal Parks chooses to remove a good deal, but not all, Ragwort. We uproot it as late as possible, after the flowers have bloomed, but before it sets seeds. We concentrate our efforts along horse rides but in more remote areas, we leave a few plants to allow insects their food.

HARE BELLS: These attractive blue flowers are currently blooming. The name derives from it living closely alongside Hares in grassland and folklore states that HareBells chime to warn the Hares of danger. Well, not loudly enough even for the large ears of Hares, who were last seen in the Park in 1972. Local names include Witches' Bells, Harvest Bells, Heath Bell, Cuckoo's Thimble, Fairy Caps and Granny's Tears. In Scotland they are known as Blue Bells, but in the south of England 'Blue Bell' is saved for the woodland flower that blossoms early in the year. It is also considered unlucky to pick them - especially for Hares!

ISABELLA PLANTATION IN AUGUST

FLOWERING SHRUBS WORTH SEEKING OUT INCLUDE:

  • Magnolia grandiflora - Occupies a secluded glade to the south of Thomson's Pond. It has large white flowers with a delicious fragrance set amongst glossy evergreen leaves. Petals fall to reveal striking seed heads.
  • Clethra alnifolia - The Sweet Pepper Bush, also fragrant, is opposite the tall pine below the gate to Broomfield Hill and also below Thomson's Pond.
  • Hydrangea quercifolia - on the Birthday Mound and elsewhere, has panicles of white flowers, and foliage resembling coarse oak leaves, which takes on rich Autumn colours later in the year.
  • Hydrangea paniculata 'Tardiva' - also bears panicles of white flowers, and is set in woodland near the gate towards Pen Ponds, and elsewhere in the Garden.
  • Hydrangea aspera subsp. Sargentiana - Grows in Wilson's Glade in the north east corner, this upright gaunt shrub bears broad heads of flowers from late summer to mid-autumn, the inner ones are blue or deep purple, the outer ones are large and white.
  • Sorbaria kirilowii - Also found in Wilson's Glade produces white flowers in large conical panicles throughout July and August.
  • Heptacodium miconioides - Is a vigorous shrub that bears lightly scented clusters of white flowers throughout late summer and early autumn. It can be found growing below Thomson's Pond and also on the Birthday Mound.
  • Aesculus californica - Grows behind the toilets set back by the service gate. This wide spreading shrub produces fragrant white-pink tinted flowers.

SUMMER FLOWERING SHRUBS in the Heather Garden include varieties of Erica vagans, the Cornish Heath, such as 'Mrs. Maxwell' - dark pink; 'Rosea' - light pink; and 'Cornish Cream' - cream. Several varieties of Calluna vulgaris have coloured foliage, such as 'Gold Haze' - white flower and gold leaf; and 'Robert Chapman' - purple flower with bronze foliage. Daboecia cantabrica has white or purple waxy bells.

ALONG THE STREAMS many native marginal plants are in flower, such as Purple and Yellow Loosestrife, Meadowsweet, Greater Willowherb and Hemp Agrimony. These wild flowers, along with the heathers, attract many butterflies. Elsewhere, streamside clumps of Hemerocallis, the Day Lily, produce a succession of tall yellow or orange trumpet-shaped flowers throughout July and August; each flower lasting only a day.

THOMSON'S POND and the BOG GARDEN, have fine stands of Pontederia cordata, the Pickerel Weed, with spikes of blue flowers amongst erect spear-shaped leaves. Thomson's Pond's water lilies are in flower and dragonflies patrol their territories. In the Bog Garden look out for the creamy-yellow flowers of kirengeshoma palmata which show until the autumn.

A MOTORISED WHEELCHAIR, which makes the job of pushing considerably easier, may be borrowed for use within the Garden between 9.00 and 15.00 on weekdays. Please ring 020 8948 3209 by noon on the day before it is required.

The Royal Parks' News and Isabella News are copyright The Royal Parks.

Royal Parks' July news

Information from the Royal Parks team in Richmond Park

If you are a member of the Friends, and would like to receive these monthly diaries by email, please send your name and email address to cottonbarbara@yahoo.co.uk

RICHMOND PARK DIARY: JULY

DEER: About 200 young have been born this year. The calves and fawns accompany their mothers and will remain dependent for some time, still suckling until Christmas. The young frequently rest in deep grass or Bracken apart from their mothers and are still very vulnerable to disturbance or attack from visitor's dogs. Hinds remain very protective of their offspring and will react aggressively if their calves are approached too closely. It is best to keep to footpaths at this time of year and to keep dogs under close control.

Bracken Control: Where Bracken invades areas of valuable acid grassland, it is controlled by the traditional method of 'bruising'. The Shire horses carry out this work, pulling a specially designed bladed metal roller, which bends and crushes the Bracken fronds. This is more effective than cutting, in gradually reducing the plants vigour. Following consultation with Natural England we will also treat some very dense stands of Bracken with a herbicide. We also cut and harvest Bracken, which is composted to provide acidifying mulch for the rhododendrons in Isabella Plantation.

Ragwort: This plant is a concern to anyone who manages livestock. Whilst there are 3 types of Ragwort that are almost indistinguishable from each other, only common Ragwort is carcinogenic if consumed by animals in large quantities. It requires bear patches of soil for seeds to germinate, just the sort of conditions that horses hooves tend to make and can therefore become excessively established in horse paddocks. As a precautionary measure we remove Ragwort when it grows adjacent to bridleways. We also remove plants in larger stands, in remote locations but it does represent an important food source for invertebrate such as soldier beetles and cinnabar moths.

Ticks: These tiny insect-like creatures may attach themselves to animals or people passing through long grass or Bracken during the summer months. The ticks feed by piercing the skin to suck blood, which can transmit an illness, called Lymes Disease. The risk is very small and should not deter people from enjoying the Park, but it is advisable to take the following precautions:

  • Keep covered up when walking through long grass or bracken, or use insect repellent if bare-legged
  • Check your skin and pets fur for the presence of ticks, which may be removed by gently twisting and pulling to ensure that the mouthparts are not left behind. Carefully wash the area after the bite.
  • In case of difficulty, consult your doctor
  • A leaflet containing further information and advice may be obtained from Holly Lodge - 0208 948 3209.

IsabellaPlantationGarden Walks 2008

You are invited to join the gardeners for guided walks throughout the year. Walks will take place on:

  • July: Friday 4th and 25th
  • Sunday 13th
  • August: Friday 15th

Walks last approximately 1.5hours and are free of charge. Meet inside the Garden by the gate from Broomfield Hill car park at 11.00a.m.

The Royal Parks' News and Isabella News are copyright The Royal Parks.

Royal Parks' June news

Information from the Royal Parks team in Richmond Park

If you are a member of the Friends, and would like to receive these monthly diaries by email, please send your name and email address to cottonbarbara@yahoo.co.uk

RICHMOND PARK DIARY: JUNE

DEER: This month the deer give birth to their young. The Red hinds produce calves, and the Fallow does produce fawns. The young are not ready to follow their mothers in the herd for one or two weeks. Until then they lie hidden in deep grass or bracken. Their mothers graze in the vicinity, returning at intervals to groom and suckle them. At this stage the young are very vulnerable to disturbance or attack by dogs, or from people who find them and interfere because they think they have been abandoned.

  • Moving or touching very young deer may result in them being abandoned by their mothers and thus failing to survive, so please leave them alone.
  • The hinds may act aggressively if their calves are approached too closely.
  • It is best to keep to footpaths at this time of year, and to keep dogs on leads or under close control.

WILDLIFE: Most birds, whether resident or summer visitors, are now feeding young or encouraging fledglings onto the wing. You may hear the incessant piping of Greater Spotted Woodpecker chicks form their nest holes up in oak trees. If you approach to listen they will immediately become silent.

June is a good time to look out for dragonflies in the reedy margins of ponds and streams. These are frequented by the Emperor dragonfly, the Brown Hawker, the Broad-bodied Chaser and the Black-tailed Skimmer, along with the Common Blue, Blue-tailed and Large Red damselflies.

Butterflies to be seen in open grassland include the Small Heath, Large and Small Skippers, Meadow Browns and small Coppers. Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral and Peacock butterflies maybe found around nettles, brambles and thistles along with the occasional migrant Painted Lady. Speckled Wood butterflies frequent the woodland edges.

BRACKEN:The Bracken that covers many open areas continues to emerge, reaching 'full frond' by mid July. Underground rhizomes interconnect the fronds, in effect, making it one big plant. It gradually creeps into new territory by expanding underground, pushing new growth through the grassland sward. Bracken gradually displaces the wildlife rich grasslands but it also provides Richmond Park with an alternative to the missing 'shrub-layer' that would otherwise exists in a deer free landscape. It therefore contributes cover for young deer and nesting birds such as Wrens but. The balance of habitats is maintained by the Shire horses that roll the fronds to reduce vigour and some initial trials with a selective herbicide took place in 2005.

JUNE IN THE ISABELLA PLANTATION

RHODODENDRONS: The spectacular flowering of the evergreen azaleas is now over and the stage is left to the late rhododendrons and deciduous azaleas, many of which are fragrant, set against a backdrop of purple-flowered, naturalised Rhododendron ponticum.

BOG GARDEN: The huge prickly leaves of the Gunnera manicata conceal its stout flowering spikes, and contrast with delicate fern fronds and the ribbed, glaucous leaves of hostas. Here and elsewhere bordering the streams, you will find Primula japonica, a candelabra type, in its red, white and magenta forms; lilac-purple Primula beesiana and fragrant yellow Primula florindae. Several iris species are also in flower, including Iris pseudoacorus, our native yellow flag. The Day Lilly, Hemerocallis hyperion, with its lemon-yellow flowers also grows in the beds beside the stream. The new island bed looks stunning at this time of year with the fern Dryopteris erythrosora showing coppery pink young fronds and the Swamp Honeysuckle, Rhododendron viscosum, bearing its spicily fragrant, white flowers.

THE BIRTHDAY MOUND: Digitalis purpurea 'Alba', the “White foxglove” is naturalised throughout this area which was planted in 2003 to celebrate Isabella's 50th anniversary. This european native produces spikes of white bell-shaped flowers with a maroon spotted throat from a rosette of rich green leaves.

STREAM SIDE: Along the Main Stream look out for Galax urceolata, a clump forming perennial with large, round, leathery, mid-green leaves which turn bronze in autumn. It has dense spikes of small, white flowers.

WILSON'S GLADE: Look out for Neillia thibetica which grows opposite the Beauty Bush, Kolkwitzia amabilis, with its profusion of small foxglove-like pink flowers. This medium sized shrub has slender terminal racemes of pink, tubular flowers.

FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS WORTH SEEKING OUT INCLUDE:

  • Liriodendron tulipifera, the “Tulip Tree” stands at the Broomfield Hill Top Gate and other locations within the garden. As well as having odd shaped leaves which turn butter yellow in autumn. It has peculiar yellow-green flowers, with internal orange markings, which appear in June and are tulip-shaped
  • Stewartia pseudocamellia, grows by the path above the Heather Garden. This deciduous tree bears five petalled white flowers with orange-yellow centres.
  • Kalmia latifolia, which can be found where the path to the Still Pond crosses the Main Stream. It is an evergreen shrub, whose intricate pink flowers, when in bud, resemble 'Iced Gem' biscuits.
  • Styrax japonicus, the “Snowbell Tree”, has a profusion of small white bell-shaped flowers dangling below its slender branches. One of several can be found in the bay to the east of Thompsons Lawn.
  • Azaleodendron 'Govenianum' has trusses of funnel shaped lilac-purple flowers which are very fragrant. A group grows by the sandy path leading to the west of the Garden from the behind the iron '1831' sign.
  • Magnolia tripetala, the “Umbrella Tree” can be found growing in a glade set back of the Bluebell Walk. This tree has large leaves and in June produces cream coloured pungently scented flowers, which are followed by attractive red, cone-shaped fruit clusters.

GUIDE TO THE ISABELLA PLANTATION: Priced at 50 pence, this colourful and informative leaflet is on sale at Holly Lodge or can be obtained from the Warden within the Garden.

The Royal Parks' News and Isabella News are copyright The Royal Parks

Boris restores view of St Paul's

Last year Ken Livingstone reduced the protected view of St Paul's from King Henry's Mound in Richmond Park (and other views of St Paul's around London), so that more tall office buildings could be built. At Mayor's Question Time recently, the new Mayor of London Boris Johnson stated unequivocally that he was going to "restore" the views to their original protection, (i.e. reverse the decision made by Livingstone), adding that he wanted to preserve historic buildings from being "salami-sliced" by skyscrapers. The decision is still subject to final approval by the Secretary of State, but is in line with the new Mayor's commitment in his manifesto. The Friends campaigned against Livingstone's decision, and we are delighted that he has done it so soon after taking over.

Celebrating a Milestone in the Park's History: 16 May 1758

It was 250 years ago that a Richmond brewer called John Lewis succeeded in re-establishing the rights of the public to walk across the Park using rights of way dating from before its enclosure in 1637. In April 1758 judgment was given in favour of Lewis at Kingston Assizes, when the Ranger, Princess Amelia, was ordered to reinstate ladderstiles which would again allow access. On 16 May that year the ladderstile at Sheen Gate was opened.

On 16 May 2008 The Friends of Richmond Park and The Royal Parks were pleased to mark Lewis' achievement by erecting a plaque to him at Sheen Gate, which had been the scene both of the incident in 1755, when Lewis had been denied entry, and the mass entry into the Park three years later. Around 80 people attended the ceremony, including representatives from many local societies.

Susan Kramer, MP for Richmond Park, unveiled the plaque to Lewis following speeches by Ron Crompton, Chairman of The Friends; Colin Buttery, Deputy Chief Executive of The Royal Parks; and Max Lankester, a Committee member of the Friends, who related the story of John Lewis.

Following the unveiling ceremony, a party of 24 or so, led by Peter Burrows-Smith, who leads the Friends' programme of walks and courses, walked across the Park to Ham Gate, where refreshments were on hand so that a final toast could be drunk to Lewis.

Below, left to right: Simon Richards, Manager of Richmond Park; Cllr John Farebrother, Mayor of Wandsworth; Susan Kramer, MP; Cllr Helen Lee-Parsons, Deputy Mayor (now Mayor) of Richmond; Cllr David Berry, Mayor of Kingston; Colin Buttery, Director of Parks and Deputy Chief Executive, The Royal Parks; and Ron Crompton, Chairman of The Friends of Richmond Park.

Royal Parks' May news

Information from the Royal Parks team in Richmond Park

If you are a member of the Friends, and would like to receive these monthly diaries by email, please send your name and email address to cottonbarbara@yahoo.co.uk

RICHMOND PARK DIARY: MAY

WOOODLAND MANAGEMENT: The trees in Two Storm Wood were originally planted close together to ensure that sufficient grew. They are now large enough to undergo some initial management. Different species have been selected to form different components of the woodland structure. Tall species such as Oak, Poplar and Maple have been kept at full height and will be allowed to become the dominant canopy forming trees. Smaller shrub forming species such as Hazel and Hawthorn have been 'coppiced' (cutting to ground level, allowing them to re-sprout and form lower canopy scrub). The Goat Willows have been cut at about 3', where they first fork. These will re-grow dense bushy foliage and form a middle canopy in the woodland. The over all effect is to create woodland with a balanced structure, including dense, low level scrub which is important for nesting birds and other wildlife. Outside of enclosures it is impossible to create this sort of habitat due to deer browsing all vegetation in their reach.

THE POOR MAN'S NIGHTINGALE: Nightingales may be known for their beautiful fluid song, but listen to the Blackcap as it tries to impress a mate and you'll be pushed to choose which is the better songster. It is one of the 'Warblers', a group of birds that can be difficult to identify by sight. But Blackcap's distinctive toupee (the female has a brown cap) means that this little bird is the exception the rule. A few pairs nest in the Park and some over winter here too, but most migrate for the winter. To listen to a recording of the Blackcap, or any other British bird, look at the RSPB's web site - www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife

DEER: As moulting is completed, the sleek chestnut summer coats of the Red Deer are revealed and the 'common' coated Fallow again shows spots. Antlers will not be fully-grown and clear of velvet until August. The points of the red deer's antler, starting from the base, are named the brow, the bez and the trez tines. The antler in a single point, or group of points which form a crown. Stags with 12 points and a crown large enough to hold up a cup of wine are known as Royals. A stag with 14 points is an Imperial: more points than that he is a Monarch. The deer start to give birth to their young at the end of May and continue into June.

NEW HORSE TRACK: The horse track that runs down the steep Broomfield Hill has become so eroded that it is impassable in Winter. In addition the Beech trees that align the route are dying, due partly to the exposed roots where the track has eroded. Contractors are therefore building a new horse track around the opposite side of Prince Charles Spinney, the old track will be permanently closed off and the soil reinstated around the roots of the trees.

MAY IN ISABELLA PLANTATION

THE PEAK FLOWERING SEASON FOR RHODODENDRONS AND AZALEAS

RHODODENDRONS: On the lawn above Thomson's Pond are two beds planted with the Japanese species, Rhododendron yakushimanum, amongst a group of its hybrids named after the Seven Dwarfs: Sneezy, Grumpy etc. These plants are compact and very floriferous. (12) Also, seek out the tall 'Loderi' hybrid 'King George', with its large soft pink flowers which are sweetly fragrant. It grows in a number places in the Garden but most notably set back above the Still Pond. Follow the Small Stream down from the Still Pond to discover Rhododendron williamsiananum, a compact species with attractive bronze young shoots, distinctive heart shaped leaves and bell shaped, shell-pink flowers.

EVERGREEN AZALEAS: Easy to identify are:'Orange Beauty', the most orange of all; 'Amoena', small bright magenta flowers; 'Rosebud', opening buds resemble tiny roses; 'Palestrina' , white with a faint ray of green; 'Vuyk's Scarlet', large flowers of a deep silky red; 'Hinode Giri', bright crimson, around the Still Pond.

DECIDUOUS AZALEAS: These flower slightly later and often have a rich spicy smell, particularly Azalea pontica, (Rhododendron luteum), which is yellow and to be found by the gate to Broomfield Hill. (1)

THE BOG GARDEN: Look out for Euphorbia griffithii 'Fireglow', growing in the bed by the middle pond it bares orange-red flowers and has a reddish tinge to the emerging young shoots.The clusters of white or pale pink flowers borne on white-haired stems spreading throughout this bed are those of the “Umbrella Plant”, Darmera peltata. Also present are the young fronds of the “Shuttlecock Fern”, Matteuccia struthiopteris which show an attractive fresh green.

The native tree the “Whitebeam”, Sorbus aria grows near the Broomfield Hill gate and looks particularly attractive at this time of the year with its silvery-white young leaves. Skimmia japonica can also be found growing near this gate along the path that leads onto Camellia Walk and the Still Pond

The “Foxglove Tree”, Paulownia tomentosa (22) stands in the glade between the Still Pond and Old Nursery Glade. This large leaved tree bares sprays of fragrant foxglove-like pinkish-lilac flowers in Spring.

The “Pocket Handkerchief Tree”, Davidia involucrata, set back from the Camellia Walk, (18) has intriguing white hanging bracts. Another specimen may be found in a secluded lawn to the southeast of Thomson's Pond.

The “Snowdrop Tree”, Halesia carolina, with dangling white bell flowers, stands by the path above Thomson's Pond.

Cornus nuttallii, whose white bracts appear like flowers, can be found set back in the newly planted Magnolia Glade near the Ham Gate entrance. Also look out for the pale lemon yellow fragrant flowers of Magnolia wilsonii 'Yellow Fever' and the wonderful deep purple flowers of Magnolia liliiflora 'Nigra'.

Bluebells carpet the wilder fringes of the Garden. PLEASE KEEP TO THE PATHS TO AVOID TRAMPLING THEM.

Congratulations go to the Isabella team on their success at winning two first prizes, three seconds and one third prize at the recent RHS Spring Show.

(Numbers in brackets) relate to the self guided walk in the colourful leaflet, Guide to the Isabella Plantation, priced 50 pence, which is available from Holly Lodge, and from the Park Warden within the Garden.

The Royal parks' news and Isabella news are copyright The Royal Parks

ISABELLA GARDEN WALKS 2008 

You are invited to join the gardeners for guided walks throughout the year.

Walks will take place on:

  • May: Friday 9th and 23rd, Sunday 18th
  • June: Friday 6th and 27th,Sunday 1st

Walks last about one and a half hours and are free of charge.

Meet inside the Garden by the gate from Broomfield Hill car park at 11.00am

Royal Parks' April news

Information from the Royal Parks team in Richmond Park

If you are a member of the Friends, and would like to receive these monthly diaries by email, please send your name and email address to cottonbarbara@yahoo.co.uk

Richmond Park Diary - April

PATH AND ROAD SURFACING: Regular Park users will no doubt be aware that there has been plenty of ground workers repairing paths and roads in the Park. One of the main jobs has been substantial improvement to the Tamsin Trail - the 12.km circular leisure path shared by walkers and cyclists. The path was built over 10 years ago and has suffered from its own popularity, becoming worn in places from use as well as weathering. The path is actually extremely busy at times and any one point will often have a flow of over 200 people per hour - the Countryside Agency's rate for the very busiest of paths in the UK.

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES: Every year the entire Royal Parks management are audited to see that we carry out our activities in an environmentally sensitive manner and are approved as meeting 'ISO14001' standard if everything is OK. This process has helped us to improve year on year. In Richmond Park alone we compost 2-300 tonnes of green waste every year and use the compost in the garden areas. All our timber needs are met from Park grown trees, felled for safety reasons or bought from sustainably managed forests.

SPRING FLOWERS: With the advent of spring our native flowers including Bluebells, Primroses and Violets are starting to show. Bluebells tend only to be seen where the deer are excluded and are the quintessential woodland flower. Since 1998 it has been illegal to up root bluebells. They emerge early in the year to beat the trees, whose leaves emerge later and shade out available light. Folklore states that anyone who hears Bluebells chime would not have long to live! The name Primrose comes from 'Prima Rosa' meaning the first Rose of the year. The five petals represent birth, initiation, consummation, repose and death, whilst a rare primrose with 6 petals brings luck in love and marriage. There is a Myth that Violets can only be smelt once.  Although untrue, the scent is short lived and one of the chemicals that make up the scent (iodine) has the ability to deaden our smell receptors that detect it.

CUCKOO RECOVERY PROGRAMME: This winter we have been working with the RSPB on an exciting project to increase Cuckoo numbers in the Park. We have designed and installed several Cuckoo nest boxes in very secluded locations, and will be monitoring them to see if the Cuckoos will build their elusive nests in the new boxes. If you happen to see a Cuckoo nest in the Park, please don't disturb it or tell anyone of its whereabouts. If you have any queries about this project please contact Ian Nightingale or Linda Pigeon at Holly Lodge - 020 8948 3209

Isabella Plantation Diary - April

THE STREAMS are bright with Marsh Marigolds, (Caltha palustris). The yellow hooded spathes of the American Skunk Cabbage, (Lysichiton americanus), which precede large rank leathery leaves, are conspicuous along the stream from the Still Pond.

CAMELLIAS are still flowering throughout the Garden. They are mainly older Camellia japonica cultivars and a number of Williamsii hybrids.

RHODODENDRONS. Along the Bluebell Walk, opposite the Acer Glade, look out for the bright purple flowers of the deciduous R. reticulatum. This month the Japanese azaleas start into flower. They are usually at their best during the last week of April and the first week of May. R.racemosum grows down the path from the still pond, it is a medium sized shrub that bears pale to bright pink flowers. Rhododendron 'Quaker Girl' grows in the glade set back from the path at the top of Thomson's Stream and bears trusses of stunning white flowers with a deep crimson throat. Look out for Rhododendron 'Bibiani' growing in a number of areas in the garden, this shrub produces compact trusses of rich crimson funnel shaped flowers with maroon spots. Early evergreen azaleas are beginning to flower throughout the garden look out for 'Kirin' a pale pink “hose in hose” (flower within an flower) and 'Sylvester' which has small deep pink flowers.

MAGNOLIAS. Throughout the gardens pink and white forms of Magnolia soulangiana come into flower. Along the Bluebell Walk are two small pink hybrids of M. stellata, called M. X loebneri 'Leonard Messel'. A larger one is set back by the Scots Pine to the far side of the Acer Glade. Magnolia 'Heaven Scent' one of the Gresham Hybrids grows in a ride off the Main Stream and has goblet shaped flowers, pink on the outside and white inside. Its flowers have a strong lavender scent.

DAFFODILS: In the Wet Lawn area near the top gate, the golden yellow flowers of Narcissus bulbocodium subsp. bulbocodium with conical cups and pointed petals have now appeared and succeed the delicate flowers of Narcissus cyclamineus, which are also naturalised in this area.

THE BOG GARDEN: Look out for the “Umbrella Plant”, Darmera peltata, which bears clusters of white or pale pink flowers borne on white-haired stems, its flowers are produced before foliage.

GUIDE TO THE ISABELLA PLANTATION. A colourful leaflet guide, costing 50 pence, is on sale at Holly Lodge and is also available from the Park Warden in the Garden.

WHEELCHAIR AVAILABLE. A motorised wheelchair, which makes the job of pushing considerably easier, may be loaned for use within the Garden on weekdays between 9.00 and 15.00. Please ring 020 8948 3209 to book the chair by noon on the day before it is required.

Isabella Garden Walks 2008

You are invited to join the gardeners for guided walks throughout the year.

Walks will take place on:

April: Friday 11th, 18th,  Sunday 27th

May: Friday 2nd, 9th and 23rd, Sunday 18th

Walks last about one and and a half hours and are free of charge.

Meet inside the Garden by the gate from Broomfield Hill car park at 11.00 a.m.

Wind damage in the Park

We're pleased to report that, despite the intense winds in early March reported as "the worst storm this winter", none of the veteran trees in the Park was damaged. It seems the careful management of these trees is paying off.

Construction work in the Park

A lot of construction work is taking place in the Park at present and for the next few weeks.

In late February, the contractor Fountains commenced repair work on the access path to Isabella Plantation. They are based at Broomfield Hill Car Park, and are due to complete before Easter. One unexpected discovery has been an unexploded World War II bomb which had to be defused and removed by bomb disposal experts. 

On Monday 3rd March phase 3 of works at the Royal Ballet School commenced. This will entail works traffic for the best part of 12 months accessing the RBS from Roehampton Gate. 

On Monday 10th March Blakedown Landscapes began work to repair the Tamsin Trail. They have 3 separate gangs working simultaneously and are basing themselves at various car parks as they work around the park. Duration of works will be around 6 weeks and will culminate in the construction of a new horse ride to the north of Prince Charles Spinney. This will allow the permanent closure of the Broomfield Hill to Robin Hood Gate horse ride. 

On Tuesday 11th March Ringway commenced rebuilding of the road through Barn Wood. This entails closure of the road from Richmond Gate to Sheen Cross roundabout for a period of 10 days. Diversions are in operation for the duration of works. Vehicular access to Holly Lodge is only possible from Richmond Gate during this period. All works contractors are accessing the Park via Roehampton Gate. The surrounding Boroughs have been advised of the closure.

If you have any queries about the work, please contact The Royal Parks main Richmond Park office number at Holly Lodge, 020 8948 3209.

Spring Newsletter contents

The Spring Newsletter reaches all the Friends by regular post in March. As usual, it's a good read over 16 pages in colour. As well as the pages on Park news and Friends' news, there are special features on:

  • Skylark conservation - a success story
  • Cover for small birds - enclosures explained
  • Celebrating 250 years of right to walk in the Park
  • Tackling obesity without spoiling the Park

Below is the Spring Newsletter cover - courtesy of Tony Drakeford.

Royal Parks Diary: March

PATH AND ROAD IMPROVEMENTS: Contractors have already started re-building the path from Broomfield Hill Car Park to Isabella Plantation and are making good progress despite being delayed when an unexploded WWII bomb was unearthed! The Tamsin Trail will also undergo improvement works at various locations over the entire circular path. It was built approximately 10 years ago and it's now in need of re-surfacing and other minor improvements.The horse track that runs down Broomfield is so badly eroded that it has damaged the roots of the adjacent Beech trees. It will therefore be diverted to the other side of Prince Charles Spinney and the old section re-instated to hopefully protect the Beech trees a little better.Repairs to the Park Road on Sawyers Hill are also due on 11th March for 2 weeks. This will require temporary road closure and / or single file traffic between Richmond Gate and Sheen Cross.

NESTING BIRDS: The courtship behaviour of breeding birds is starting to become evident and Skylarks are performing their fantastic displays in various locations. As ground nesting birds they are particularly vulnerable to disturbance. Dogs have a habit of running randomly away from paths and so the dogs on leads zone will again be marked out from March. Since this policy was introduced the numbers of breeding Skylarks has increased from about 3 singing males to as many as 20.

Last year all the cygnets and many ducklings that hatched on the Pen Ponds and Bishops pond died. It is believed that disturbance and attacks from dogs were largely responsible for their deaths. We therefore have to ask for dogs to be placed on leads to allow young bird a chance of survival.

TREE PLANTING: The winter tree-planting programme has now been completed. We have planted over 30 new trees and replaced those that haven't survived the dry weather we've received in recent years. In addition to Oaks and Chestnuts, that provide food for the deer, trees bearing smaller seeds such as Alder and Birch have been planted. These provide food for birds such as Goldfinch and Siskin whose bills are especially adapted to cope with smaller seeds.

DEER: The cull of male deer takes place in February and is usually completed by early March. By keeping the ratio of male to female deer at about 1:3, the aggression levels between males is kept low, yet there are still plenty deer with antlers to be seen and the number of young born each year is not too excessive.