Pond update and our first documented Grey Heron sighting

Pond update and our first documented Grey Heron sighting

The pond was refurbished by the charity Froglife at the end of January, made possible by funding from The Kenneth White Legacy Award for which we are very grateful. The pond is vulnerable at the moment as plants need time to and grow so we ask that visitors would take special care. Unfortunately, the pond has been damaged twice. The first time a few days after the refurbishment with our new pond plants and plant baskets destroyed and debris floating…

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Our 2026 RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch Results

Our 2026 RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch Results

We took part in the Birdwatch yesterday (Sunday 25th) between 2 and 3 pm – and were thankful that it wasn’t raining as forecast. At it turns out, we were able to document an above average number of birds, as summarised above. Overall, 1 Blackbird, 5 Blue tits, 1 Goldfinch, 4 Great Tits, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 7 Magpies, 4 Robins, 5 Wood Pigeons, 1 Goldcrest, and 1 Wren.

The Pond Refurbishment has taken place!

The Pond Refurbishment has taken place!

The pond, first installed in 2016, was in need of repair. The liner had perished, and the pond was no longer holding water. With funding obtained from the Kenneth White Legacy Award we were able to commission the charity Froglife to carry out this work which was completed on a damp and muddy Thursday 22 January. We are so grateful to the team from Froglife and to the extra volunteer-power from the London Blue Chain! It will take a while…

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New Year greetings to everyone who enjoys the Green, whether as a visitor or as a volunteer, Friend, or Trustee. A reminder, too, that we are keen to welcome new volunteers and friends with an interest in caring for the Green (at our monthly workdays, for instance). Helping out is a great way of doing something practical to protect and improve the environment in Forest Hill. It is also an excellent form of exercise, enjoyable, and a very good way…

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Pond Update

Pond Update

If you have visited the Green recently, you may have noticed that it is all dried up! This is due to the pond liner having worn out. The good news is that it will soon be refurbished. Last year, we applied successfully for funding from the Kenneth White Legacy Award and in January 2026 we will be helped by a team from Froglife. Froglife is a brilliant national charity that works to conserve amphibians and reptiles and the habitats they…

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Cat Rescue

Cat Rescue

I think this is a first for the Green. On Tuesday (14th October), a cat, fightened by a dog, ran up a tree and – so we were informed by one of the Green’s regular visitors – was stuck there 24 hours. No option but to call the London Fire Brigade who arrive in force. The cat was brought down safe and sound and released. We’re not sure who it belongs to but we think that its mother (or a…

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The Art of Labyrinth Walking

The Art of Labyrinth Walking

On Wednesday 17 September (at the somewhat awkwardly timed slot of 2 to 4 pm that had been allocated to us) we had the opportunity to collaborate with the Association for Art History and Goldsmiths, University of London by taking part in the Association’s Art History Festival. The week long festival offered free events in various locations around the UK, that introduced general audiences to different aspects of art history. The festival theme was “Art and Nature” which made an…

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Free Talk and Labyrinth Walking Event on the Green

Free Talk and Labyrinth Walking Event on the Green

Do join us if you are interested in learning about the history of labyrinths and if you want to experience and learn about the benefits of labyrinth walking. Just come along – no booking is needed. We will gather by the labyrinth which is close to the Albion Villa’s Road entrance to the Green. The event is part of the Association of Art History’s 2025 Art History Festival, which has the theme of “Art and Nature.” This labyrinth-themed event is…

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Autumn Fruit

Autumn Fruit

There are a number of fruit trees on the Green. This year, for the first time, we have been getting a decent crop of pears – the pear tree is adjacent to the Labyrinth. While the blackberries haven’t done so well this year from the point of view of human consumption, hopefully they have been appreciated by the birds and other creatures for whom these are food sources. Elderberries are ripe and do keep an eye on the plums in…

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