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, 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Thanks (again) to local resident and photographer Sharon Vardi for this atmospheric photograph of labyrinth walking on Albion Millennium Green. In the foreground, one of the many vibrant yet delicate Meadow crane’s-bill blossoms currently in in full flower.
A dynamic team from The Good Gym arrived on the Green on Monday evening to help us out. It was amazing what they achieved in a focused 45 minutes or so – in particular, clearing and cutting back planting near to the Railway Path entrance to the Green. There is still more to do in this area, but we’ve made a good start.
We are sharing these lovely photographs taken on the Green earlier this month by Sharon Vardi. On the left is a close-up of the glorious sea of buttercups on the grassy area by the pond. Last year we held back on cutting the grass during May (“no mow May”) and we have found that there has been a great improvement in the grass quality – I don’t remember there being such a beautiful swathe of yellow last year. On the…