1972 - 2010
Now in its 39th year
Reg. Charity No. 1046082
Part-funded by Lewisham Council
Postal Address:
The Ringway Centre
268 Baring Road,
Grove Park,
London SE12 0DS
(opposite Coopers Lane)
CONTENTS
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CONTACT INFORMATION
All enquiries to the
Centre Manager
Mr Paul Beresford
Tel: (020) 8857 7980
email addresses:
(for hiring enquiries only) paul268ringwaycentre
(for Community Group)
The Grove Park Community Group
at the
RINGWAY CENTRE
Local Open Air Amenities
Open air amenities within the Grove Park Ward include
About the Reserve
Achievements in the last year
Northbrook Park (See information on LBL Website)
About the Reserve
The Nature Reserve which is adjacent to the Ringway Centre contains a variety of habitats, supporting many plants and animals. Its position, near to the railway and other green spaces, adds to its historical and wildlife value.
A good range of birds, including chaffinch and willow warbler, use the site, and ant hills of the yellow meadow ant are dotted throughout the grasslands. At the northern end of the reserve is a plum thicket that produces a fabulous crop of fruit in autumn, which is greatly appreciated by birds, wasps, foxes and local people. (For birds observed at the Ringway centre see The Great Ringway Birdwatch.
Part of the Reserve was a Victorian garden which stretched to the railway line from the near-by house where Edith Nesbit, author of The Railway Children, lived from 1894-1899. Inspiration for her writing and that of colleagues like George Bernard Shaw, Beatrice Webb and HG Wells, who sometimes met at her house, may have been drawn from these views and from local children of the area.
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The Reserve is managed by Lewisham's Nature Conservation Service in partnership with volunteer conservation groups and the local 'Friends of' group.
Nick Pond
Additional information on the Nature Reserve is to be found on the London Borough of Lewisham website. Click Here.
Achievements in the last year
Last year we received a Breathing Places grant to improve the access to the Nature Reserve and its circular path. This followed on the bulb and hedge-planting at the entrance and near the embankment that was carried out in late 2007. We have also employed a 'Story Telling Group' called 'Purple Broccoli' to work with local school children. They used wildlife and nature as themes and incorporated the story of the 'Railway Children' by Edith Nesbit, whose near-by 1890’s garden spilled into the reserve. We believe that engaging young people’s imaginations and active involvement in this way goes a long way towards preventing the future development of anti-social behaviour and alienation towards nature in the reserve.
Later in the autumn we will be creating a better pond and an adjacent wetland, lined with Bentonite clay, to improve water retention. The funding for this comes largely from an Awards for All grant that we have successfully won this year, alongside generous earlier contributions donated by our councillors’ Locality Fund in 2007. The project will also offer opportunities for local primary schools to work with us on bird and bat box making.
We have recently received a follow-up Breathing Places 4 grant to help us celebrate Grove Park Nature Reserve further, in relation to the “Tutu Trail” project, by specially commissioning an artwork, and holding an Open Day on the day of the Green Chain Walk, Saturday September 19th 2009. This has helped to further highlight the area and encourage visitors. The day included a children’s treasure hunt and a local young people’s choir.
Don’t forget that members of our ‘Friends of’ group meet every Tuesday morning to carry out vital works in the Nature Reserve, including litter picks, clearing the paths of overhangers, removing the invasive snowberry and controlling other over-zealous plants. As you walk round the paths, you can really appreciate the difference that this work has made.
Mark Ingleby, Chair
Friends of Grove Park Nature Reserve.
Chinbrook Meadows, Amblecote Road, Grove Park SE12
Pond dipping event organised by Cafe and pavilion in Chinbrook Meadows
FOCM 2008
Friends of Chinbrook Meadows (FOCM) is a park user group, whose aim is to promote this beautiful local park and liaise with other agencies as appropriate.
Chinbrook Meadows underwent considerable rejuvenation in 2002 and is now well used and appreciated by the local community. The changes in Chinbrook Meadows, and the impact of those changes, have been much studied and acclaimed.
FOCM Members keep in touch with activities, changes and concerns of other park users to monitor and inform representatives from Lewisham Borough Council and Glendale Services who manage the park. The group is keen to promote new and ongoing improvements to the park. We also run occasional events to introduce new people to the park and encourage its wider use. We are always eager to welcome new members.
Our quarterly meetings are informal and open to all. Dates are advertised on the park notice board and take place on Tuesday evenings at 6.30 in the park pavilion.
Contact Glendale on: 020 8318 3986 for more information
SOCCER FUN
Saturdays 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
● Mini-Soccer, Skills, Penalty Competitions & lots more!
● Boys and Girls (ages 6 - 13) welcome - Please wear shin pads
Phone 07904 572709 or 07928 082431
FA Qualified Coaches, First Aid Trained, CRB Checked
Burnt Ash Pond Local Nature Reserve, Melrose Close, SE12
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Friends at Burnt Ash Pond |
Children from Baring Road School on a visit |
The reserve is normally open on the 1st Sunday of the month between 11am and 12 noon. Special events are held from time to time, and educational visits are possible.
In 2010, Open Days will be held on the following dates: 11th April, 9th May, 6th June and 4th July.
A member of the local Friends group will be on hand if you have any questions.
For more information, please contact Lewisham's Nature Conservation Officer, Jess Rushton.
Email: jessica.rushton@lewisham.gov.uk Tel: 020 8314 2119
Click here to display/print poster with map
More Information about the Reserve is to be found on the London Borough of Lewisham website. Click here.
The Friends of Burnt Ash Pond Local Nature Reserve publish a regular newsletter.
Click here for Spring 2010 Newsletter in PDF format.
Click here for Autumn 2009 Newsletter in PDF format.