17th November: Community bulb planting in Lyttelton Playing Fields
Two years ago the Residents’ Association, with the support of Barnet council, planted around 20 fruit trees in the corner of Lyttelton Playing Fields in front of Bishopswood Bowling Club. This community orchard, under the leadership of Maria Schlatter, was inspired by the long heritage of growing fruit in Hampstead Garden Suburb and was named after Henrietta Barnett who originally gave every household a fruit tree when the suburb was built.
This year, Barnet Council agreed to devolve all management of the orchard area to local residents with the ambition of making the orchard a wildlife garden too, that is of interest and use to the community as well as to nature. Over the summer, the grass was allowed to grow long, providing much needed habitat instead of closely mown utility grass, and sinuous paths were cut through the orchard to guide people through it, and connect to a new log circle for kids and adults alike.
The next stage of its development is the creation of a wildflower meadow areas, and the planting of 2,000 spring flowering bulbs kindly donated by Barnet Council and other grant giving bodies including the Residents’ Association.
Planting this many bulbs is not a simple process, and we need many hands to make light work! We are looking for as many volunteers and families - of all ages - to join us for our bulb planting session on Sunday 17th November. We will be joined by guest of honour, our local MP, Sarah Sackman, who is a huge supporter of environmental issues. Details below - please come and help us make this corner of a much loved park into a real haven for people and wildlife alike!
1-4pm. Come for as long or as short as you can!
Meeting place is in front of Bishopswood Bowling Club
Wear suitable clothing and footwear - the park may be damp and muddy and bulb planting involves a lot of kneeling!
If you have a bulb planter or a hand trowel, please bring it with. We will try and source spares.
Bring water but we will also try and arrange a tea break with snacks
If the weather forecast is truly awful (like thunderstorms or very strong wind) then please check with me beforehand to confirm we are going ahead
Contact me (Dominic) on 07881 782 676 with any questions.
To stay informed and give us an idea of numbers please join our whatsapp group for the event using this link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DH68tihpDYCHE73tUhfh2l
Look forward to seeing you there
