In October 2011 volunteers from Transition Westcombe and the Friends of East Greenwich Pleasaunce planted wildfower seeds in-between the lime trees along the north wall of the park.
It was an experiment and we didn't know if it would work. But as you can see from the photos, it clearly did. And what a wonderful sight they are.
You may have noticed areas around trees and against fences where the grass has been allowed to grow. This isn't Parks being lazy, it's deliberate. We've asked them to do this in order to attract pollinating insects - bees and butterflies.
Not only do they look beautiful, they also eat predatory insects like aphids, thereby reducing the need for pesticides to protect our new fruit trees.
The idea is to make the 'hoggin' path around the park as much like a country lane as possible.
The Council has agreed to the plan but can't give us any money towards the new gate and fencing (estimated cost £8,000 - £10,000). With that in mind we propose to change the boundary of The Bridge centre (formerly The One O'Clock Club) to allow the path to continue along the south and west walls, thus allowing dog-walkers and others to complete whole laps of the park.
East Greenwich Community Festivals, the group organising the 1948 Olympics-themed event in August, have offered to contribute, as part of a legacy project. But if you know of any other funding sources, do let us know.
In the meantime, enjoy the flowers.
CAROLS IN THE PLEASAUNCE
SUNDAY 11TH DECEMBER
2PM - 4PM
SANTA ARRIVES AT 2.30PM
MULLED WINE, MINCED PIES, AND A GOOD OLD SING-ALONG
SINGING LED BY HALSTOW SCHOOL CHOIR
ALL WELCOME
MAP HERE
Coffee fundraiser
The Pleasaunce is joining in the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning to raise money for Macmillan the cancer charity.
Our Macmillan Coffee Moring takes place at the Café in East Greenwich Pleasaunce this Friday, September 30th. Running from 10 am to noon, members of the local community will sell cakes and jam and the café will donate money for every coffee sold and you can also buy a ticket for the Big Pleasaunce Raffle for Macmillan.
So bring your friends along for a nice cuppa and help raise some funds for Macmillan. Last year the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning hosts helped raise more than £8 million. And since 2011 is the centenary year it is hoped to even top that.
We hope to see you there.
The Easter Sunday Easter Egg Hunt has now become a tradition in the Pleasaunce. Scores of children scampered around under the shady trees looking for coloured eggs to exchange for their tastier chocolate versions. Nearly 200 eggs were claimed and the cafe did a roaring trade as parents enjoyed the Easter sunshine.
Many thanks to Christine Braybrooke for her beautifully decorated cakes and to Sue Gay for organising the event. More photos in the folder, right.
If you'd like to see more events in the park like this, why not join the Friends of East Greenwich Pleasaunce and lend a hand? See 'How to Join' at the top of the page.
Nick Raynsford, MP for Greenwich (standing) joined Matt Wall, chair of the Friends of East Greenwich Pleasaunce, in 'wetting' new fruit trees with cider in the traditional manner at a planting ceremony in the Pleasaunce on Sunday 5th December.
Enthusiastic volunteers, young and old, helped dig holes, spread mulch, hammer in stakes and fit protective cages around the trees on a fresh, winter morning thankfully free from snow. Councillors Mary Mills, Miranda Williams and Alex Grant also showed their support for the event.
The 'Pleasaunce Memorial Orchard' - named in honour of the seamen buried nearby - comprises apple, pear and plum saplings that will complement the existing mature flowering cherries in the square patch of grass behind the south-west corner of the dog-free zone. The trees should begin bearing fruit after about three years.
The project, organised in conjunction with Transition Westcombe, was made possible thanks to funding from Greenwich Pride, Capital Growth East London, and Awards for All, and support from the London Orchard Project and Greenwich Parks and Open Spaces Department.
(what the proposed gym could look like)
Thanks to everyone who gave us their views on the proposed outdoor gym. The response was mixed, with 2/3 of respondents having reservations or opposition to the plan.
We have met with Greenwich Council, who have investigated the suggestion many made of using some of the one o’clock club space, but we have been told this is not possible.
We expressed the views of many that we did not want to lose any green space or do anything to disturb the peace and tranquillity of the Pleasaunce.
The Council has suggested a small (6 piece) gym in three possible locations (please click on the links below to see maps of each option and click here for more info on the company providing the equipment):
Option 1 - View this photo
(by the children’s play area in the Dog Free Zone, towards Halstow Rd but within the fence.)
Option 2 - View this photo
(dotted around in the top left hand corner by the Halstow Rd entrance & the childrens’ play area.)
Option 3 - View this photo
(concentrated under the trees in one area by the Halstow Rd entrance.
Or would you still rather there was no gym at all ?
Please could you let us know your views by FRIDAY 12TH MARCH and we will then let the Council know, though they have made it clear to us that in the end they have the final decision.
You can leave a note in the envelope situated in the Pleasaunce Cafe or email the Friends committee at pleasauncefriends@hotmail.co.uk.
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Please note that our AGM will be held on:
Thursday 29th April, 7.30pm
Christ Church
Trafalgar Road
(in the church itself)
by Matthew Wall, Chair, Friends of East Greenwich Pleasaunce
Local residents were delighted to find a Farmer's Market in the Pleasaunce last Saturday. Stalls selling locally-sourced breads, cheeses, vegetables and cakes, attracted many residents who had received flyers advertising the market as a 'weekly' event.
But unfortunately this week's market had to be cancelled. Here's why.
It turns out that the Council had not yet given permission to Pistachios in the Park, the Pleasaunce cafe operators, to host a farmer's market either weekly or even monthly. Pistachios, to use the vernacular, had been 'a bit previous' in their marketing.
The Friends of East Greenwich Pleasaunce committee was particularly unhappy that it had not been consulted about the Farmer's Market and, indeed, knew nothing about it. We made our feelings known both to the Council and Pistachios. The cafe operator has since apologised after attending a Friends committee meeting and has promised to improve communications from now on.
Whilst the Friends committee welcomes the idea of a Farmer's Market (either weekly or monthly), we know a number of residents are concerned about potential damage to the grass and the number of cars and vans that would be driving in and out of a park frequented by many children.
Halstow School in Halstow Road has been mooted as a potential car park for the stallholders or as an alternative venue for the Market itself. Negotiations with the Head, who seems quite receptive to the idea, are under way.
In a further twist, the Council has asked Pistachios to look into the possibility that a Farmer's Market in the Pleasaunce might breach a charter protecting Woolwich Market from competition within a six-mile radius.
The whole saga has certainly provoked a lively debate on The Greenwich Phantom's blog. But we would also really like to hear what you think.
Please post your views below or email pleasauncefriends@hotmail.co.uk
