Picture left: The Friends at The Richmond May Fair – Saturday 11 May
We had a very successful and enjoyable day at the Richmond May Fair. We had a steady flow of visitors to the stall all day, helped by the glorious weather. We had a number of items from the Visitor Centre for sale, selling out of all the jars of Richmond Park Honey, with total takings of over £500.
Our presence certainly raised the awareness of the Friends and the work that we do and there were several enquiries regarding membership.
Ham Fair – Saturday 8 June
Our next event will be on Saturday 8 June when the Friends will have a stall at Ham Fair.
Grass snakes in Richmond Park
Photograph: Nigel Jackman May 2024
Over the coming months you might encounter a grass snake in the Park as they are active at this time of the year. They can be found basking on warm sunny days or slithering through the undergrowth. They may also be seen swimming in watery places such as the Pen Ponds where they hunt for frogs, fish and other prey. Secretive by nature, they are often hard to spot, but if found you should avoid any unnecessary disturbance.
Our other resident reptile, the common lizard, also enjoys basking in warm sunshine, but you are just as likely to see one in the grip of a kestrel for whom it is a welcome source of food, especially for a hungry family.
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand visits Isabella Plantation
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand visited Isabella Plantation on Friday 10 May 2024.
The photograph shows Her Royal Highness with, left to right, Darren Share MBE, Director of Park Operations for The Royal Parks, Jo Scrivener, Assistant Park Manager Richmond Park, and Paul Richards, Park Manager Richmond Park.
His Majesty The King will remain patron of The Royal Parks charity
His Majesty The King has shared the news that he will retain patronage of The Royal Parks charity, in an announcement made to mark the first anniversary of Their Majesties’ Coronation.
Loyd Grossman, Chairman of The Royal Parks, said: “We are deeply honoured to retain the patronage of The King who has provided our charity with unwavering and much-valued support over the last seven years”.
When His Majesty, then The Prince of Wales, launched The Royal Parks charity in 2017 he shared fond memories of visiting Richmond Park with his great grandmother, Queen Mary.