Organised by The Royal Parks team, Richmond Park Open Day took place at Holly Lodge on Sunday 19th September. It drew an impressive 2400 people (considerably more than last year) who enjoyed a wide range of activities and exhibits from tree climbing and iron work to charcoal burning and basket weaving.
New this year was a special bus service provided free of charge by Arriva. For one day only visitors could enjoy the unusual sight of old London buses picking up passengers from strategically-placed bus stops around the Park and dropping them off at Holly Lodge.
The Friends were well represented. A large number of volunteers acted as stewards, and there was a well-attended membership recruitment and information stand.
Next to the Friends' stand was Susanna Ramsey's intriguing Nature Collection featuring many wildlife specimens from Richmond Park. Susanna's demonstration of owl pellet dissection proved of great interest to children and their parents. Wildlife walks organised by the FRP's vice-chairman, Peter Burrows-Smith, departed from Holly Lodge throughout the day.
Other popular attractions included vintage MG cars; tractors and motorbikes; bee-keeping; deer antlers; chickens; a bicycle repair stall; and a look at life in a Victorian classroom and pharmacy.
Pictured right, an old London bus ferries Open Day visitors across the Park. Photo by Michael Davison