Main picture: Autumn scene
Photograph: Sarah Travers
Heathrow expansion
As part of their application for permission to build a 3rd runway, Heathrow must carry out a public consultation. They’re doing this via a sequence of roadshows and online sessions.
The Richmond roadshow will be at the Richmond Hill Hotel from 2:00pm to 7:00pm on Friday 27th November.
Heathrow 3rd runway consultation events https://www.heathrow.com/expansion/news-and-updates/consultation-events
The Royal Parks launches a Horticulture Vision
The Royal Parks has launched a Horticulture Vision that sets out its plans for the next five years, with the aim of making the planting in its parks more beautiful, more varied and better prepared for the future.
The Vision is built around five objectives:
- Everyday wonder: planting that makes people stop and notice, whether they are passing through or have come specially to see it.
- Creating iconic horticulture: bold, ambitious and unexpected schemes, ensuring the parks are recognised for the quality of their horticulture.
- Diverse planting: a wider range of plants, colours and forms, good for visitors and for wildlife. They will also trial new plants and techniques to find out what copes best with our changing climate.
- Respecting heritage: the parks’ historic landscapes shape what is planted and where. New planting is designed to respect the character of each park, while allowing the parks to keep changing. What is planted now will be enjoyed by visitors for many years to come.
- A sustainable future: planting and care that use resources wisely and can cope with a changing climate.
Rain at last
Photograph: Nigel Jackman
Recent Autumn rainfall in the Park has brought some welcome relief. However, the Park and much of the country remains in drought and subject to hosepipe bans, so a great deal more rain is needed over the coming months to improve the immediate condition and raise the water tables before next Summer.
Capturing the veteran trees: A creative walk from Pembroke Lodge
An enthusiastic group of Friends members recently gathered at Pembroke Lodge for an inspiring art and tree walk, the last of this year’s series of art walks. Thank you to Vivienne Press, Christopher Hedley and Lynda Minter for our four art walks this year.
The event began with expert narration from Christopher, whose extensive knowledge brought the Park’s ancient oaks and sweet chestnut trees to life. With the historical and ecological context established, Lynda invited participants to explore their sketchbooks.
To loosen up the creative muscles, the session began with quick five-minute sketches and some unusual challenges: drawing with the opposite hand, continuous line drawing without lifting the pencil, and testing observational skills by studying a tree, turning away and drawing it entirely from memory. The results were a delightful array of individual interpretations, bringing a perfect day of community, art and nature to a close.