Her Majesty the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Alexandra are set to visit the Park during the course of the day.

The Friends will be well represented, and we hope as many members as possible will turn out to welcome the Royal party and to visit the displays and events that we have organised, including:

• Stand 35 in the Conservation Zone – showcasing the Jubilee Pond and the Ponds & Streams appeal as well as Tread Lightly, the new Posters in the Park competition and the Discoverers programme
• Displays on history, the background of the Friends and Poems in the Park in the Inspiration Zone

The event will be open to the public from 10.30am and close at 5.30pm. At 12 noon actors from LAMDA will recite selected poems from Poems in the Park in the VIllage Green 'Talks & Demonstrations' area. At 1pm Sir David Attenborough will inaugurate the Jubilee Pond and launch the Ponds & Stream Conservation Programme appeal. The poetry recital will be staged again at 3pm. 

Over 50 Friends have volunteered to help out in various capacities from stewarding to supplying information to selling books.

 More details about the event here.   

2012 is a special year for the park, with Her Majesty the Queen visiting as part of the Diamond Jubilee ‘Wild London’ celebrations and the Olympic road cycling races passing through in the summer.

The competition, which is free to enter, asks entrants to design an eye-catching poster featuring the slogan Tread Lightly in Richmond Park – celebrating the Park in this momentous year and helping protect the Park’s rich wildlife and ecology.

You can enter:
• If you’re aged 9 upwards
• Independently or through school, college or work
• If you’re inspired to design a great poster that will be used in conservation campaigns

Full details and entry form can be found here. 

There will be three age categories, and we hope to attract a wide range of entrants in all of them. We’re currently appointing the judges and finalising prizes and hope to be able to celebrate the creativity of the finalists in some style in the autumn.

For those who haven't already seen them, the winners, runners-up and commended poems from Poems in the Park (with entries mostly from the Richmond and Kingston areas) are currently on show in Richmond Reference Library, Old Town Hall and in Pembroke Lodge Gardens, 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

The Park in May

Wild London community event will be held on 15 May to celebrate Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The Royal Parks and Richmond council have teamed up to host the event on the rugby pitches near Roehampton gate.

The event will showcase the conservational, recreational and inspirational role that Nature Reserves and Parks play in London. Visitors will be able to get involved with hands-on exhibits, as well as watching demonstrations, public displays and performances. The event, which is free to enter, will be open from 10am-5.30pm.

While the Park will open as normal that day, the roads will be closed from Richmond Gate through to Roehampton Gate. The only car park that will be closed is Sheen (exhibitors only). However, other car parks will fill very quickly, not only with the public but with exhibitors. It is advisable not to bring cars to the Park on the day but there will be a heritage bus service on the day. For more information please contact Richmond Council on 0208 891 1411.

Contract work delays The wet weather in April was very welcome for the Park's trees and watercourses. However the contractors working to re-furbish the central horse track and playgrounds have been thwarted by the rain. Both projects have been delayed by a week or two. The playgrounds will only open once the equipment has been checked by a safety inspector and any issues (if found) rectified.

Oak processionary moth May is the time of the year when the caterpillars of this moth are on the move. The caterpillars have hairs which carry a toxin which can be a significant threat to human health, causing skin rashes, eye irritations and respiratory problems. From May to July you may see people staring up at oak trees with binoculars, checking them for nests which are then removed by specialist operatives using protective clothing and equipment.

If you come across the caterpillars or their webbed nests please do not touch them and keep children and pets away. Report any sightings to the Park office on 0300 061 2200.

Caution - Lyme disease The warm weather and plant growth provides cover for ticks that can attach themselves to deer, dogs or humans, potentially causing Lyme disease. Whilst the chances of contracting the disease are low, symptoms can be serious so it’s worth taking sensible precautions. Wearing long trousers, long sleeved shirts and using insect repellents can help to prevent ticks.

If you find a tick on you and develop cold/flu like symptoms or find a rash develops it is precautionary to tell your doctor. Dogs can be prevented from getting ticks by using drops supplied in pet shops or vets. A leaflet is available from Holly Lodge or contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or see their website.

The Isabella Plantation in May

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. 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. 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.

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; and ‘Kirin’, a pale pink “hose in hose” (flower within a flower).

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. 

The bog garden Look out for Euphorbia griffithii ‘Fireglow’, growing in the bed by the middle pond. It bears orange-red flowers and has a reddish tinge to the emerging young shoots. Alongside the margins of pools and streams grows the “Japanese Primrose”, Primula japonica ‘Millers Crimson’ with its whorls of crimson flowers which are borne in profusion on tall stems, from May to July.

Also present are the young fronds of the “Shuttlecock Fern”, Matteuccia struthiopteris which show an attractive fresh green. Growing either side of the main pool is the “Ornamental Rhubarb”, Rheum Palmatum. a robust herbaceous perennial with broad, architectural foliage and pink flowers on large erect panicles.

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, 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, 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.

Please help to support The Isabella Plantation Access Project by dropping your donations into the box by the gate (Information about the Project and donation boxes at the Broomfield Hill and Bottom Gate entrances to the Plantation).

Isabella Plantation Garden Walks 2012

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

Friday 4 and 25 May, Sunday 13 May

Friday 1 and 29 June, Sunday 17 June

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 11am.

©The Royal Parks

 

We are looking for 50 volunteers to help with stewarding and other duties. If you would like to lend a hand, please contact Max Lankaster either via email (max.lankester@frp.org.uk) or phone (020 8940 7898).

 

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

Mistletoe is a curious evergreen plant that grows on host trees such as apples, limes and hawthorns. There is only one known mistletoe in the Park, high on a ;ime tree near Petersham Gate, whilst in nearby Bushy Park it grows in abundance. A simple trial to propagate some mistletoe three years ago resulted in two new sprigs in a private top-secret corner of the Park. Following this success several more sticky seeds have been smeared onto trees. By doing this in March, the seeds start to germinate immediately with reduced chances of being washed off by rain, and a simple mesh screen protects them from birds.

Playground refurbishments  The two children’s playgrounds, at Kingston Gate Car Park and Petersham Gate, are being refurbished. The work at the larger Petersham Playground will take several weeks and at Kingston the playground will be closed for a few weeks towards the end of the schedule. It is not possible to say exactly when they will reopen and even when they look completed safety inspections and any adjustments will need to be undertaken. The toilets at Petersham Playground will need to be closed for some of the time during the rebuild.

Horse ride rebuild Contractors will be busy repairing a length of horse ride between the Middle Road and Prince Charles Spinney during April. The ride is badly eroded and rutted and almost impassable during wet winters. It is also the vital link that forms part of three or four different circuits – which is why it is one of the worst areas for riding and why it is in desperate need of repair. A small pond will also be dug whilst the machinery is on site and the soil used to reinstate the ride.

Hosepipe ban The hosepipe ban that comes into force in April is a worrying sign of just how little rain we have had during the winter. The Royal Parks will not use hose pipes for irrigation during the ban but are permitted to abstract some river water from the Beverley Brook to water newly planted trees if need be.

Oak Processionary Moth The eggs of this invasive alien insect pest hatch on oak trees in April. A breeding population was first found in Richmond Park in 2009 and is now the subject of a rigorous control programme. The caterpillars carry toxic hairs which can pose a significant threat to human health. In April a limited pesticide spraying programme will take place in Pembroke Lodge Gardens and areas of the park. Nest removal work will take place at the optimum time of June and July.

The Isabella Plantation in 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. In a glade set back from the Main Stream and other locations around the Garden are the blue-flowering Rhododendrons from the Triflorum series: Rhododendron augustinii and the R. chasmanthum hybrid Rhododendron ‘Electra’.

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 clusters of white or pale pink flowers borne on white–haired stems which are those of the “Umbrella Plant”, Darmera peltata, which flowers before it produces foliage.

Wheelchair available A motorised wheelchair, which makes the job of pushing considerably easier, may be loaned for use within the Garden on weekdays between 9am and 3pm. Please ring 020 8948 3209 to book the chair by noon on the day before it is required.

Isabella Plantation Garden Walks 2012

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

April: Friday 13th and 27th

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 11am.

©The Royal Parks
 

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

Playground refurbishments During March and April the children’s playgrounds near the Kingston and Petersham gates will be refurbished. The work at the larger Petersham playground will take several weeks and the playground will be closed during this time.

Turkey oaks The trees recently felled in Queen Elizabeth Plantation are predominantly Turkey Oaks. Introduced to the UK in 1735 by the nurseryman William Lucombe, the Turkey Oak was originally a native tree of southern Europe and south-west Asia (including Turkey). This tree grows fast but produces very poor quality timber, with little strength or durability. It supports very few insects, contributing little to the ecosystem. By felling the trees, structure and sunlight is introduced to the woodland which encourages the native trees to develop. William Lucombe hybridized the Turkey Oak with Cork oaks (of which there are two at the old army camp in the south of Richmond Park) to produce the Lucombe Oak – timber from which was used to make the coffin for its creator who died at the grand old age of 102!

Rhododendron ponticum clearance In early March contractors will be clearing and burning rhododendron in the conservation area adjacent to Isabella Plantation. Rhododendron is a non-native plant that forms dense cover throughout the woodland, preventing other trees from growing. It can reduce wildlife and change the soil profile and humidity of woodlands, making our native oak trees more likely to catch disease such as Sudden Oak Death (Phytophthora ramorum).

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 1:2 the aggression levels between males is kept low, yet there are still plenty of deer with antlers to be seen and the number of young born each year is not too excessive.

To introduce ‘new blood’ into the Richmond Park deer herds, a stag (male Red Deer) and a buck (male Fallow Deer) were introduced a few years ago from Gunton Park in Norfolk. Over the last centuries, deer from Richmond have been sent to improve the blood lines of other herds, including those of Petworth, Dynevor Castle Park and on occasion as far away as New Zealand and Canada. Later in 2012 we plan to send a few deer to Windsor Great Park.

Tern raft This spring will see the installation of a second tern breeding raft in Pen Ponds to add to the raft already installed and used by breeding Common Terns for the past two years. Their interest in the ponds was the result of the restocking the ponds with smaller fish. The rafts are 8’ x 4’ and fitted with perspex sides, which protect the chicks from falling in the water and help prevent other birds such as geese and gulls from monopolising the available space.

Isabella Plantation in March

Heather garden Here Erica x darleyensis ranges throughout in its pink and white varieties. Erica erigena forms taller dense mounds and is represented by "W.T. Rackliff" which is white, and "Brightness" which has rose purple flowers and bronze leaves. Set back towards the top of the Heather Garden is Erica lusitanica, tallest of all, with white flowers opening from pink buds. Erica carnea ‘Myretoun Ruby’ has recently been planted near the Swamp Cyprus its deep reddish pink flowers brighten this spot from January to May.

Camellias Following the path which runs through woodland up the western side of the Garden you will find two of the many famous williamsii hybrid camellias: Camellia 'Donation', and C. 'Inspiration' near the ancient pollard oak. Nearby, the formal double white flowers, striped with red and pink, belong to Camellia japonica 'Lavinnia Maggi'. Camellias frequently produce 'sports', and you may find white, red and striped flowers all on the same plant.

Camellia japonica ‘Preston Rose’ also grows in this area and bears salmon-pink paeony form flowers. Camellia ‘Parkside’, another williamsii hybrid bearing an abundance of large clear pink semi-double flowers, grows in Magnolia grandiflora Glade set back from Thomson’s Lawn. Another garden favourite, Camellia Japonica ‘Alba Simplex’, shows large white flowers with conspicuous yellow stamens and grows in many spots around the garden, including the top of the main stream path where it is set back.

Three Wilson plants Rhododendron lutescens is an early-flowering rhododendron species from China, small leaves and primrose yellow blooms. Many of these plants grow set back to the east of the Main Stream. More, younger plants grow near the fence in Wilson’s Glade.

Wilson’s Glade is situated to the north of the entrance gate from Broomfield Hill car park. It houses a collection of plants introduced to this country by the famous plant collector, Ernest Wilson. Also near the fence of the glade is a group of Stachyurus chinensis, a shrub with long drooping racemes of soft yellow flowers. Close to the main path through the glade is Corylopsis veitchiana, a large erect growing shrub that also bears its flowers in large racemes of primrose yellow with conspicuous brick red anthers.

Magnolias During March several magnolias come into flower. A fine Magnolia stellata stands near the path above Thomson's Pond. Many others are planted throughout the Garden, particularly in woodland areas on the western side.Two young Magnolia x loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’ can be found growing in Bluebell Walk opposite Acer Glade. This large shrub or small tree bears lilac-pink flowers that are deeper in bud. A more mature form can be found growing on the other side of Acer Glade by the Scots Pine.

Narcissi Growing on the wet lawn near the gate from Broomfield Hill car park, the dwarf Narcissus cyclamineus, native of Spain and Portugal, has pendent golden flowers with narrow trumpets and upward sweeping petals, reminiscent of a cyclamen bloom. Soon to follow on this lawn will be N. bulbocodium, commonly known as the ‘hooped petticoat’, due to its widely flared trumpet.

Other plants of interest The “Fuji Cherry”, Prunus incisa, grows set back behind the Witch Hazel’s on the path leading from the Broomfield Hill gate leading to the lawn above Thomson’s Pond. This lovely Japanese species bears small white flowers, which are pink-tinged in bud and appear pink from a distance.

Clematis armandii, an evergreen Clematis with creamy white flowers grows up a dead tree in Beech Bay, the area between Thomson’s Pond and the Main Stream. Rhododendron sutchuense stands above the Still Pond, this outstanding Chinese shrub bears a profusion of large bell-shaped flowers which are a rosy-lilac in colour with purple spots. This Rhododendron is another Ernest Wilson introduction. In the ‘V ‘ between the streams area look out for two stunning Rhododendrons grown for both their stunning flowers and bark; Rhododendron shilsonii which has loose trusses of bell shaped blood-red flowers and Rhododendron hylaeum with its pale pink flowers. R.calophytum ‘Robin Hood’ grows above these two rhododendrons, set back off the main stream path and bears large trusses of pale pink bell-shaped flowers with a maroon basal blotch.

Isabella Plantation Garden Walks 2012

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

March Friday 2 and 30, Sunday 11
April Friday 13 and 27

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 11am.

© The Royal Parks

Apurv Bagri is the re-appointed former Chair, and Ruth Anderson, Sue Moore and Andrew Fenwick are also re-appointed from the former Board.

Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Ford has been Comptroller of the Lord Chamberlain's Office since 2006, and is the representative of the Royal Household on the Board .

Councillor Nasim Ali is the Leader of Camden Borough Council, and Ward Member for Regent's Park.

Councillor Colin Barrow is the Leader of the Council of the City of Westminster, and Ward Member for Hyde Park.

Councillor Chris Roberts is the Leader of the Council of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, and Ward Member for Glyndon Ward.

Linda Lennon is the recently appointed Chief Executive of The Royal Parks.

John Swainson is Director of Finance and Resources at The Royal Parks.

Roger Bright recently retired as Chief Executive of The Crown Estate.

Lord True is the Leader of Richmond Borough Council.

The Richmond and Bushy Parks Forum, whose co-chairs are Ron Crompton of FRP and Pieter Morpurgo of the Friends of Bushy Park, had urged that the Board should contain "external experts in ecology, historic buildings/landscape and managing large parks". Little ecological expertise is apparent among the appointees.

The appointments also mean that one third, rather than the expected one quarter, of the positions are held by Council Leaders.

The clubhouse building will comprise a steel framed structure with a full height glazed elevation and larch cladding. The ancillary supporting facilities for the users of the golf course will include a coffee shop/cafe, changing facilities, administrative and professional shop arranged on the ground floor. Once this new clubhouse close to Chohole Gate is complete, the old and dilapidated clubhouse close to Roehampton Gate will be demolished.

The roof of the clubhouse will comprise extensive acid grassland which sweeps from the ground and rises up to 7.6m. The green roof will reflect and extend the acid grassland habitat of the golf course and park that contribute to the adjacent SSSI status.

The proposals also include the following:

• a new, 4 hole, academy course on an area of underused land immediately to the north of the derelict nursery site;
• a new car park, accessed from Chohole Gate with both permanent and overspill areas, comprising 164 spaces, including accessible parking spaces;
• a new non-floodlit driving range and 20 covered bays which will extend over the existing derelict plant nursery site;
• 20 cycle parking spaces for staff and visitors;
• a number of minor alterations and adjustments to the existing Duke’s and Prince’s
courses;
• the demolition of the existing golf course clubhouse, driving range, polytunnels and boiler house;
• associated landscaping work including creation of a new pond to Richmond Park
frontage of the clubhouse, enhancements to the existing ponds and buffer zones to the existing water courses;
• breaking up of hardstanding in respect of the former plant nursery and ancillary roads; and
• installation of a ground source heat pump and photovoltaic panels to ensure the new development reduces the CO2 output by 20%.

The site will be accessed by vehicles and pedestrians via Chohole Gate from Norstead Place and therefore the access close to Roehampton Gate will be closed for public use. Waiting bays will also be provided at Chohole Gate. Visiting cars and mini-buses will access via Chohole Gate and leave via Chohole Gate, using the one-way system around the development. Visiting mini-buses to the academy course will access and leave via Chohole Gate and will use the existing access road to reach the turning head by the academy course.

Service vehicles, coaches and refuse lorries will also access the site via Chohole Gate but will leave via Roehampton gate, creating a one-way system. This is partly due to the fact that they cannot turn within the area around the new golfclub and is in accordance with the Royal Parks strategy.

Light spillage is always a concern in relation to developments close to the Park, and in this case minimal lighting is proposed; it comprises recessed downlights mounted in the canopies over the rear and front sections of the golfclub and in the decking areas to the rear (26w each). The car parks, driving range and pathways will not be illuminated. The new driving range is not to be floodlit.

The Friends, which took part in the public consultation exercise back in May 2010, broadly welcomes the proposals, which will result in substantial improvements to the existing clubhouse area adjacent to the Roehampton Gate car park. It is clear that considerable care has been taken with the design of, for instance, the grassed roof to the new building and the whole approach to lighting.

The application documents can be viewed on the LBRuT website.
 

The clubhouse building will comprise a steel framed structure with a full height glazed elevation and larch cladding. The ancillary supporting facilities for the users of the golf course will include a coffee shop/cafe, changing facilities, administrative and professional shop arranged on the ground floor. Once this new clubhouse close to Chohole Gate is complete, the old and dilapidated clubhouse close to Roehampton Gate will be demolished.

The roof of the clubhouse will comprise extensive acid grassland which sweeps from the ground and rises up to 7.6m. The green roof will reflect and extend the acid grassland habitat of the golf course and park that contribute to the adjacent SSSI status.

The proposals also include the following:

• a new, 4 hole, academy course on an area of underused land immediately to the north of the derelict nursery site;
• a new car park, accessed from Chohole Gate with both permanent and overspill areas, comprising 164 spaces, including accessible parking spaces;
• a new non-floodlit driving range and 20 covered bays which will extend over the existing derelict plant nursery site;
• 20 cycle parking spaces for staff and visitors;
• a number of minor alterations and adjustments to the existing Duke’s and Prince’s
courses;
• the demolition of the existing golf course clubhouse, driving range, polytunnels and boiler house;
• associated landscaping work including creation of a new pond to Richmond Park
frontage of the clubhouse, enhancements to the existing ponds and buffer zones to the existing water courses;
• breaking up of hardstanding in respect of the former plant nursery and ancillary roads; and
• installation of a ground source heat pump and photovoltaic panels to ensure the new development reduces the CO2 output by 20%.

The site will be accessed by vehicles and pedestrians via Chohole Gate from Norstead Place and therefore the access close to Roehampton Gate will be closed for public use. Waiting bays will also be provided at Chohole Gate. Visiting cars and mini-buses will access via Chohole Gate and leave via Chohole Gate, using the one-way system around the development. Visiting mini-buses to the academy course will access and leave via Chohole Gate and will use the existing access road to reach the turning head by the academy course.

Service vehicles, coaches and refuse lorries will also access the site via Chohole Gate but will leave via Roehampton gate, creating a one-way system. This is partly due to the fact that they cannot turn within the area around the new golfclub and is in accordance with the Royal Parks strategy.

Light spillage is always a concern in relation to developments close to the Park, and in this case minimal lighting is proposed; it comprises recessed downlights mounted in the canopies over the rear and front sections of the golfclub and in the decking areas to the rear (26w each). The car parks, driving range and pathways will not be illuminated. The new driving range is not to be floodlit.

The Friends, which took part in the public consultation exercise back in May 2010, broadly welcomes the proposals, which will result in substantial improvements to the existing clubhouse area adjacent to the Roehampton Gate car park. It is clear that considerable care has been taken with the design of, for instance, the grassed roof to the new building and the whole approach to lighting.

The application documents can be viewed on the LBRuT website.

 

February in the Park

Deer cull With no predators and approximately 170 births annually, the deer population would increase beyond the Park's carrying capacity without human intervention. To prevent starvation and habitat destruction, the deer are selectively culled during November and again in February. This ensures a healthy herd of 630 with the correct balance of ages and sexes.

Estate management projects During February and March there are a few estate maintenance projects due to be undertaken. These include repairs to a central stretch of horse track and woodland thinning/chipping in Queen Elizabeth Plantation. The fence around Isabella Plantation will be over-hauled and Rhododendron ponticum removed from the conservation area within.

Wood pigeons (and stock doves) Whilst wood pigeons are a resident bird to the UK, they do have a tendency to fly from all over the UK and over winter in the south. The counties surrounding London are very wooded with Surrey having the highest proportion of woodland in Britain (25%). It is presumed that pigeons move to where food availability is high such as the broad leaf woodlands of south east England. Recently the numbers of wood pigeons in the park have risen such that flocks of several hundred have been seen flying overhead, roosting at dusk or feeding on the abundant acorns. To distinguish a wood pigeon from a stock dove look for their white collar and wing markings – they are absent on stock doves.

Richmond Park fences The Park uses two or three different types of fencing. In large enclosures the metal post and wire deer fencing ‘system’ is known by the trade name ‘flextella fencing’ it is long lasting and very good at keeping deer out (if maintained). When a repair is needed it is possible to replace a single post or wire without dismantling the whole fence. Away from woodland plantations, smaller enclosures are usually constructed from chestnut paling.

Sweet chestnut poles, cut from small ancient woodlands in the Weald, are cleaved (split) into rustic stakes and then wired together to form 5 yard lengths of fencing. When erected they create effective barriers that retain a rustic look in the natural landscape.

Buying chestnut products has the additional ecological benefit for the woodlands that supply the poles, ensuring they are cut on a rotational basis creating a structure of woodland habitats.

Honeysuckle is a native climbing plant that relies on other structures for support. It doesn’t survive well in the Park because it is vulnerable to the deer’s appetite. Where it grows on adjacent land and trails over the Park wall, additional honeysuckles are being planted and protected from deer. This should reinforce the dwindling populations of White Admiral butterflies that feed on honeysuckles and enjoy warmth that radiates from the brick walls around the edge of the Park on sunny days.

February in the Isabella Plantation

Trees and shrubs with coloured and textured bark 

The pollarded willows on the banks of Peg's Pond are forms of Salix alba, with amber and red stems.
Yellow-stemmed dogwood, Cornus sericea 'Flaviramea', grows nearby under the weeping willow, and in the Bog Garden.
Red-stemmed dogwood, Cornus alba, is set back behind the heathers, and throughout the Bog Garden. Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ has orange and red stems which show throughout the winter months and can also be found in the Bog Garden.
The “River Birch”, Betula nigra, has papery shredding buff coloured bark. Two of these trees grow on the north side of the Main Stream; one above the Heather Garden and the other towards the top.
Three “Himalayan Birches”, B. jacquemontii, with striking white stems, stand on the lawn above Thomson's Pond.
The “Tibetan Cherry”, Prunus serrula, has gleaming mahogany-red bark beginning to peel into curly shreds. One is set back on the lawn to the north east of Thomson's Pond. Three other good specimens may also be found in Wilson’s Glade.
Acer hersii, at the north end of the Acer Glade path, is one of several 'snake bark' Acers in the garden.

Heather garden 

Erica x darleyensis comes into flower in its pink and white forms.
Tawny seed heads of Erica vagans remain decorative all winter.
The tall “Portugal Heath”, Erica lusitanica, bears slightly fragrant tubular white flowers opening from pink buds throughout winter.
Clumps may be found towards the top of the Heather Garden, near the junction of Thomson's Stream and the Main Stream.
Nandina domestica “Sacred Bamboo”, is planted behind the heather in several places, is truly a plant for all seasons. Decorative evergreen leaves are tinged purple in spring and autumn, panicles of white flowers open in the summer to provide orange red berries throughout winter.

Flowering shrubs 

Hamamelis mollis, the “Witch Hazel”, has fragrant yellow tassel flowers. Two large shrubs stand by the gate to Broomfield Hill.
Lonicera X purpusii ‘Winter Beauty’ is a shrubby honeysuckle which bears tiny white fragrant flowers throughout winter. A group of these shrubs grows by the Acer Glade path.
Rhododendron dauricum ‘Midwinter’ is a semi–evergreen or deciduous Rhododendron which grows on Bluebell Walk and looks stunning this month with its phlox purple flowers.
Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ flowers pink in bud and fades to white grows alongside the main stream path above the Bog Garden. The name refers to the one time practice of forcing this plant for decoration.
Camellia japonica ‘Nobilissima’, with white peony form flowers grows in the woodland ride to the north of Thomson’s Stream.
The williamsii hybrid Camellia ‘Parkside’ bears an abundance of semi-double flowers in a clear pink and can be found growing in the glade next to Thomson’s Lawn. Many other Camellias are beginning to flower around the gardens.
Cornus mas, the “Cornelian Cherry”, grows in the shelterbelt near the gate to disabled car park. It produces lots of small yellow flowers on the naked stems throughout February.

Look out for the daffodil Narcissus cyclamineus growing naturalised in the lawns to the left of the Top Gate which bare delicate rich golden pendulous flowers.

Isabella Plantation Garden Walks 2012

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

February: Friday 3rd & 24th, Sunday 12th
March: Friday 2nd & 30th, Sunday 11th

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 11am.
 

©The Royal Parks
 

The competition is now closed and we can announce the winners, who are:

Josh and Oliver Turner Smith, aged 11 and 8, from Kingston 
Finn and Holly Farrer, aged 9 and 8, from Kingston 

The runners-up are:

Megan Magee, aged 10, from Kingston
Robyn Quantrill, aged 5, from Twickenham

Megan and Robyn win a copy of Family Trails in Richmond Park by Susanna Ramsey. 

The Discoverers webpages will provide information about the Park, and also space to share interests and experiences. Starting this spring, we also plan to offer guided walks – Discovery Trails – exploring our amazing Park, its wildlife and history. These walks will be based on Susanna Ramsey's book. Watch this space for more details, coming soon.

To join our mailing list and learn about planned Discoverers family events in the Park, email discoverers@frp.org.uk

January in the Park

Deer feeding The Park’s acreage sustains a breeding population of about 630 deer, of which about 330 are Fallow and 300 are Red deer. During the winter, their food source is usually depleted so Park staff feed the deer nightly. Feeding starts in mid December with maize and deer pellets and usually the deer stop wanting the feed by March when the spring grass grows again. However the mild autumn and exceptional high acorn yield this year is still supporting the deer’s daily diet – so much so that they aren’t interested in the supplementary food with only half the herd feeding on the handout. (It is noticeable that berries and nuts are also plentiful with plenty of food for wild birds). It is also noticeable that one or 2 stags (male red deer) are still bellowing in December – 2 month after the height of the rut. One can only speculate that this may be connected on some way with the exceptionally mild autumn and abundance of high energy food.

Shire horses The Royal Parks has been considering the future of its Shire Horse team based in Richmond Park for some time following the Governments Spending Review and reduction in funding. While the Shire Horse team is a unique and valuable asset for The Royal Parks in terms of heritage and environmental benefits, it is difficult to justify the cost of a full-time, in-house team given the financial pressures.

Therefore a decision was taken at the recent executive committee meeting which will result in a continued presence of working Shire Horses in the parks while making considerable cost savings. The Royal Parks will set up a licence agreement with Hampton Court Shires to mirror the agreement that this company already has with the Historic Royal Palaces. The Hampton Court Shires’ provide carriage rides at Hampton Court.

The Royal Parks Shire horses are eight year old Massey and 18 year old Jed. Massey has moved to Hampton Court and, along with the present Hampton Court Shire horses Roy, Jim and Aragon, will be contracted in to carry out estate management work in the parks (such as grass mowing and bracken rolling) when required.

In addition, we will look to develop hired services within all The Royal Parks to generate income such as tourist carriage rides and transport for weddings. During 2012 Jed will retire to The Horse Trust in Buckinghamshire. It is hoped that if this new partnership agreement is successful it could create more job opportunities and more working horses in London in the future.

Woodcock The winter months are a good time to see Woodcock in the Park if you know where (and when) to look! These curious looking birds have the characteristic long, thin bill of the wading birds that are often are seen on flood plains and river estuaries.

However, Woodcock are associated more with dense woodland where they hide in the undergrowth during the day. At night they fly out to water-logged grassland to probe the soil for worms. So during the day, woodcock are hiding in woodlands where public access is restricted such as Sidmouth Woods and Prince Charles Spinney. At dawn they can be seen flying into these woodland areas and at dusk they can be seen flying out – but not in large numbers. Perhaps there are about 5 or 6 in an area like Sidmouth Woods – an elusive treat for any keen ‘birder’ who endures the winter weather.

The Isabella Plantation in January

Trees and shrubs with coloured and textured bark 
The pollarded willows on the banks of Peg's Pond are forms of Salix alba, with amber and red stems.Yellow-stemmed dogwood, Cornus stolonifera 'Flaviramea', grows nearby under the weeping willow, and in the Bog Garden.
Red-stemmed dogwood, Cornus alba, is set back behind the heathers. Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ has orange and red stems which show throughout the winter months and can also be found in the Bog Garden.
The “River Birch”, Betula nigra, has papery shredding buff coloured bark. Two of these trees grow on the north side of the Main Stream; one above the Heather Garden and the other towards the top.
Three “Himalayan Birches”, B. jacquemontii, with striking white stems, stand on the lawn above Thomson's Pond.
The “Tibetan Cherry”, Prunus serrula, has gleaming mahogany-red bark beginning to peel into curly shreds. One is set back on the lawn to the north east of Thomson's Pond. Three other good specimens may also be found in Wilson’s Glade.
Acer hersii, at the north end of the Acer Glade path, is one of several 'snake bark' Acers in the garden.

Heather garden 
Erica x darleyensis comes into flower in its pink and white forms. Tawny seed heads of Erica vagans remain decorative all winter.
The tall “Portugal Heath”, Erica lusitanica, bears slightly fragrant tubular white flowers opening from pink buds throughout winter.
Clumps may be found towards the top of the Heather Garden, near the junction of Thomson's Stream and the Main Stream.
The “Sacred Bamboo’, Nandina domestica, planted behind the heather in several places, is truly a plant for all seasons. Decorative evergreen leaves are tinged purple in spring and autumn, panicles of white flowers open in the summer to provide orange red berries throughout winter.

Flowering shrubs 
Hamamelis mollis, the “Witch Hazel”, has fragrant yellow tassel flowers. Two large shrubs stand by the gate to Broomfield Hill. Another hybrid variety, called ‘Jelena’, has ginger coloured flowers and grows in the woodland ride to the west of the garden.
Prunus subhirtella ‘Autumnalis’ grows close to the Top gate and also set back in the glade behind Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’. It produces semi-double, white flowers intermittently throughout the winter months.
Lonicera X purpusii ‘Winter Beauty’, is a shrubby honeysuckle which bears tiny white fragrant flowers throughout winter. A group of these shrubs grows by the Acer Glade path.
Rhododendron dauricum 'Midwinter', also beside the Acer Glade path, has small rose-purple flowers.

The Isabella Plantation Team wishes you a Happy New Year.

Isabella Garden Walks 2012

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

January Friday 6th & 27th, Sunday 15th
February Friday 3rd & 24th, Sunday 12th

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 11am.
 

©The Royal Parks
 

The Guide, £9.99, features a foreword by Sir David Attenborough, chapters on the Park's history, deer, wildlife, trees and flora, plus a useful map and many stunning colour photographs. Dame Jacqueline Wilson's foreword introduces Susanna Ramsey's Family Trails, £6.99, featuring six carefully plotted walks exploring the hidden secrets of the Park, accompanied by detailed maps and dozens of great photos .

You can buy both books at the Visitors' Centre by Pembroke Lodge, independent bookstores in Richmond, Sheen and Kew, and branches of Waterstones. They can also be purchased online through http://www.royalparks.gov.uk/ or on Amazon

Pines and needles This year The Royal Parks have given permission for Christmas trees to be sold from Roehampton Gate car park (SW15 5JR). The outlet will be open every day from December 1 until Christmas Eve from 8am until 3.45pm, selling a selection of UK grown trees and decorations etc, and can even arrange local delivery.

In the news: Fenton the dog Recently a video clip of a dog chasing deer in the Park, posted on You Tube, attracted an exceptionally high volume of views, which in turn attracted the newspapers and television. The interest spread to entertainment programmes on the radio and television and even T-shirts are available to purchase! The Royal Parks have little control on how this incident was portrayed in the media and the ‘hype’ was largely based on its comedy value.

There is constant risk of deer being involved in road traffic accidents in the Park. Since the speed restriction was reduced to 20mph the number of deer fatalities on the road has reduced ten-fold and is now thankfully just one or two per year. However, this clip reminds motorists to keep to the speed limit and dogs must be kept a short lead if there is any doubt about their behaviour. Earlier in 2011 a dog owner was prosecuted and received a fine and costs exceeding £1000 for a similar incident.

Feeding the deer Problems with the health of the deer in the 1970’s led to advice that the Park could sensibly sustain a breeding population of around 650 deer. Whilst the deer browse on trees and grass during the summer they really do rely on seeds such as acorns, chestnuts and conkers to build up fat reserves for the winter.

The available food varies from year to year so to ensure the deer are always in optimum health they are given supplementary feed in the winter – which also ensures they receive all the essential vitamins and minerals. If it has been a good year for browse and seeds they come to the feed less readily than a poor year. They also lose interest in the feed earlier in the spring if it’s mild and grass starts growing earlier. Likewise if we experience heavy snows and food is less available, the feed is increased to ensure their health and welfare.

Winter hoar frosts Sub zero temperatures have been a long time coming this autumn but finally the morning frosts started at the end of November. Clear nights bring good morning light – but also the chance of a hoar frost. When heat is lost into the cloudless skies, exposed objects become colder than air and become deposited with ice crystals. The large tussocks of Tufted Hair Grass and Silver Birch trees look particularly picturesque on winter mornings especially when a mist also rises from the Pen Ponds.

December in Isabella Plantation

Winter flowers
Hamamelis mollis, the “Witch Hazel”, has very fragrant yellow tassel flowers. Two large shrubs stand by the gate to Broomfield Hill.
Mahonia bealii, whose racemes of yellow flowers smell like “Lily-of the Valley”, can be found set back in woodland to the south of the Acer Glade
Lonicera x purpusii ‘Winter Beauty’ can be found by the Bluebell Walk on the east of the Acer Glade, at this time of year it bears fragrant cream-coloured flowers.
Prunus x subhirtella ‘Autumnalis’, the “Autumn Cherry”, can be found growing set back from the path leading to Wilson’s Glade from the top gate. Following autumn tints to the leaves, this small tree produces semi-double, white flowers from November to March.
Garrya eliptica grows alongside the Main Stream path, this evergreen shrub bears long greyish green catkins at this time of year.
Sarcococca confusa, a small evergreen shrub grows alongside the Main Stream and produces very fragrant white flowers this month.
A single stand of Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’ grows in a glade just off the Main Stream. This upright shrub bears densely packed clusters of sweetly scented, rose-tinted flowers throughout the cold winter months.

Trees and shrubs with coloured and textured bark
Salix alba 'Chermesina' ('Britzensis'), the pollarded willows by Peg's Pond, have amber and red stems.
Cornus sericea var.'Flaviramea' nearby under the weeping willow, and also adjacent to the Bog Garden, has smooth greenish yellow stems.
Cornus alba ‘Siberica’ has bright red stems. Two groups are set back behind the Heather Garden, others in the Bog Garden along with Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ with its brilliant flame red, orange and yellow stems.
Betula nigra, the “River Birch”, has papery shredding buff coloured bark. One may be found by the path above the Heather Garden, and the other towards the top of the Main Stream.
Betula jacquemontii, three young birches with striking white bark stand on the lawn above Thomson's Pond. Several multi-stemmed forms of this tree can be found in the woodland area near the wild stream in the northern part of the Garden.
Prunus serrula, set back on the lawn east of Thomson's Pond, has gleaming mahogany-red bark peeling into curly shreds.
Several 'snake-bark' acers may be found throughout the Garden as well as other species of birch, all with interesting bark.
Acer griseum, the “Paperbark Maple”, grows in the wet lawn area by the top gate and also in Wilson’s Glade, as well as other areas of the garden. This beautiful tree not only has good autumn colour but also a great colour to its trunk, which is particularly obvious in the winter months, as the old bark peels off to expose the cinnamon coloured underbark.

Heather Garden
Erica X darleyensis comes into flower this month in its pink and white forms.
Erica vagans, the Cornish Heath, has tawny seed heads which remain decorative all winter.
Erica lusitanica, the tall Portugal Heath, bears slightly fragrant tubular white flowers opening from pink buds throughout the winter.
Nandina domestica, the “Sacred Bamboo”, provides a stunning backdrop to the heathers in this area, its leaves tinge red in autumn and winter and it also bears a profusion of spherical red fruits.

A bird feeder has been placed on Bluebell Walk to feed over wintering garden residents and visitors. In addition to this, the waterfowl on the ponds are fed on corn throughout the winter months.
The gardeners are busy preparing beds and planting out trees and shrubs within the Garden.

© Richmond Park
 

A brown and burnished conker, deer tracks among the ferns, a child lost in the park and a kingfisher with a “harpoon kiss” are the subjects of the four winning poems in the inaugural Poems in the Park competition. (If you would like to read the winning and shortlisted poems now, just go straight to the bottom of this page.)

At an awards and prize presentation organised by the Friends and hosted by the Royal Ballet School on 6 November, 22 finalists’ poems were recited by three LAMDA-trained actors. The shortlisted poems had been carefully selected from 650 entries received across the three categories: 12 years and under, 13-18 years and 19 years plus.

About Poems in the Park Poems in the Park attracted entries from children attending 35 schools in the Park’s three neighbouring boroughs as well over 120 individual entries from both young people and adults.

Partners in Poems in the Park were The Richmond and Kingston Magazines (Sheengate Publishing Ltd), which publicised and processed entries for the competition, and which together with Russell-Cooke Solicitors sponsored the awards presentation at the Royal Ballet School.

The judges of the finalists’ poems were the celebrated children’s author Dame Jacqueline Wilson; broadcaster and journalist Sir Trevor McDonald; Fiona Adams, Editor of Elmbridge and Kingston magazine; Richard Nye, Editor of The Richmond Magazine; and Paddy Hughes, known as the ‘Bard of Richmond Park’ for his published collections.

The judging process The judges met in September to review a ‘long-list’ of 53 poems painstakingly pre-selected by FRP members and volunteers Kate Chisholm, Miriam Harrison, Angela and Chris Rallings and Amelia van Praagh.

The five finals’ judges had an extremely difficult task, carefully reading, re-reading and reviewing the 53 poems and selecting the shortlist of 22. The quality was “quite amazing”, said Sir Trevor, who has published poetry anthologies.

The awards event Guests at the awards event on 6 November included Dame Monica Mason, Director of the Royal Ballet; Baroness Susan Kramer, an FRP Patron; the Mayors of Wandsworth Council (Councillor Jane Cooper) and Richmond Council (Councillor Clare Head); the Deputy Mayor of Kingston (Councillor Geoff Austin); Councillor Pamela Fleming, Richmond Council’s Strategic Cabinet member for Community, Business & Culture; Simon Richards, the Richmond Park Manager; Pat Ealey and Joan Braune from the Holly Lodge Centre; and Wendy Macaulay, one of the founders of the Friends.

But the real VIPs of the day were the 22 finalists. Young people brought parents and family. People travelled from far and wide to make it to White Lodge and one adult poet, Peter Woan, journeyed all the way from Chicago, where he works, especially to attend the event. Peter didn’t go away empty handed as he picked up the runners-up prize in the adult’s category.

The short-listed entrants were awarded certificates signed by the five judges. There were prizes too: the Kingston branch of Waterstones contributed book vouchers and Macmillan, the publishers, donated a selection of poetry books for winners and runners-up. The Friends contributed copies of The Guide to Richmond Park and Family Trails in Richmond Park and Paddy Hughes kindly donated copies of his Richmond Park poetry collection.

Displaying the poems All the winners and, we hope, the runners-up, will have their poems displayed in Poet’s Corner, Pembroke Lodge Gardens, and the management of Richmond Park have agreed to feature a number of the poems in notice boards around the Park.

Photographs of the awards event Pictured above are the shortlisted poets with Ron Crompton and Richard Gray of the Friends; Richard Nye, editor of The Richmond Magazine; Paddy Hughes; Dame Jacqueline Wilson; and Dame Monica Mason, the Director of the Royal Ballet. Photo by Liz Coleman. To see more of Liz Coleman's photographs of the awards event, click on this link.

The winning poems

12 years and under

Winner: Lost in the Park by Edward Pearson, 8, individual entry.
Runner up: Wonders of the Park by Emilia Bryant, 11, individual entry.
Special commendation: The Tree by Kate Davies, 11, Coombe Girls School.
Special commendation for age: Richmond Park by Maya Mortensen-Ramlill, 9, East Sheen Primary School.
Shortlisted poems:
Richmond Park Poem by Zoe Dutton, 12, Graveney School.
Isabella by Caroline Ball, 12, Coombe Girls School.
Richmond Park by Shameni Paraparan, 8, Burlington Junior School.
The Last Acorn by Iris Pearson, 12, individual entry.

13-18 years

Winner: The Fern by Louis Sutcliffe, 13, Tiffin School.
Runner up: Witchmond Park by Mustafa Majeed, 14, Tiffin School.
Shortlisted poems:
Seasons in the Park by Daniel Myers, 13, Royal Ballet Lower School.
A Tree by Flossie Brown, 13, Graveney School.
Park Poem by Rosie Hall, 15, Waldegrave School.
Richmond Park Poem by Adam Mirsky, 14, Tiffin School.

18 years +

Joint winner: Kingfisher, Beverley Brook by Chris Rice
Joint winner: September by Patricia Moore
Joint runner up: Richmond Park Stories by Peter Woan 
Joint runner up: Common Ground by Alan Franks
Shortlisted poems:
Isabella Syncopation by Susanna Hart
The Art of Not Falling by Graham Pugh
The Isabella by Valerie Purcell
By Sidmouth Wood by Michael Watts