The Friends of Streatham Common Present an Evening Bat Walk
Bat Walk Friday 10th May 2019 @ 8.45pm
Dr Iain Boulton, Environmental Compliance Officer for Lambeth Parks and Open Spaces takes you on an evening walk & talk about one of our very popular residents, the much misunderstood bat. Now protected, they are a small but important pollinator & pest controller for our common.
Come and see which beautiful (and not so beautiful) moths have been trapped overnight in the Streatham Common Community Garden. The moth trap will be opened at 9.30am in the Community Garden – entrance door in the brick wall near the sundial in the Rookery’s Old English Garden.
According to the Guardian “Moths are vanishing from our skies at night, declining in southern Britain by 40% over 40 years. Three species have become extinct this century already, following the permanent loss of 62 species in the twentieth century.”
It goes on to say “The moth-phobic may wonder what they have ever done for us, but moths pollinate plants at night, are snapped up by bats, and their caterpillars are a crucial source of food for almost all garden birds. Broadcaster Chris Packham, the vice-president of Butterfly Conservation, said: “The general public’s hearts are not going to be bleeding for the Double Dart moth, but they would be bleeding for all the birds that feed on its larvae.”
Streatham Common Community Garden is a historic walled garden situated within the Rookery public garden. Formally a kitchen garden of the Rookery (the last manor house that stood at the top of the hill, built in 1786), the site of garden was also used a Council nursery, supplying plants for parks and green spaces across Lambeth, before falling in to a state of neglect.
Lambeth Council are pleased to announce that works to the New Streatham Common Playground, has commenced and will be completed by mid-December. The playground will be closed throughout the duration of the works. An alternative playground during this period is located in Streatham Vale Park.
The new playground will consist of a variety of play equipment suitable for use by toddlers through to pre-teens. As well as the new play equipment the landscaping will be refreshed to include improved access with an additional gate and more trees and shrubs. The design will allow for open spaces for independent play, picnic tables and extra benches.
The completed project will provide an exciting new play area for local families to enjoy in an environment sympathetic to the rest of the Common.
FoSC was instrumental in getting the new playground planning through. If you would like to join us as a volunteer, we always need people to help us develop ideas, creating a sustainable future for all users of the common.
Everyone says their dog is the best dog but how about seeing how they fair in the 7 legged race, or the dog & spoon round? That’s right, the furry spectacular of the year is here ‘SCRUFFS’. The alternative dog show where breed is irrelevant, its all about the poochness.
This year, our Fancy dress theme is ‘SPACE’….so any Bark Vaders, Chewbarkers, Dr Stephen Barwking, Captain James.T. Squirts or Wonderdogs are most welcome.
Registration is at Midday, and events kick off at 1pm.
Contestants can enter into
CUTEST PUPPY
PRETTIEST BITCH
HANSOMEST DOG
BEST RESCUE
BEST VETERAN
7 LEGGED RACE
DOG AND SPOON RACE
FANCY DRESS COMPETITION
Not forgetting our PARADE OF PAT DOGS & RAFFLE
We will have stalls selling dog related and human fayre with donations going to PETS AS THERAPY AND FRIENDS OF STREATHAM COMMON
Event held at the top of the common opposite the Rookery.
Our events are organised and presented by volunteers – we are looking for volunteer help on the day to make sure everyone gets the best out of the event.
Meet at the Rookery Cafe at 11am. A gentle guided walk looking at the fascinating geology of Streatham Common – how rocks have shaped, and continue to shape, the local area. With Dr Iain Boulton – no geological experience necessary!
A FREE event, organised by or volunteers. We look forward to having you along.
A great introduction to geology if you have ever wondered about the ground and the effects it has on our local nature. We have a brief introduction to it on our Geomorphology page
A variety of hawks, falcons, owls and other birds of prey will be on display throughout the afternoon, during which there will be two flying displays.
On the Common, near the path from opposite Copley Park to opposite Valley Road. Birds (owls, falcons, hawks etc) on show from 1.00pm to 5.00pm, and displays of flying at approximately 2.00pm and 4.00pm.
Enjoy a lovely relaxing evening summer walk through the common. Botanical expert, Tony Wileman, will lead a nature walk on Streatham Common identifying the wildflowers and other plants that he comes across.
Meet by the Rookery Cafe SW16 at 7.00pm. The walk will last for about two hours.
It is free but donations to the London Wildlife Trust will be welcome on the day.
A walk around the Common, led by Dr Iain Boulton of Lambeth Council, who will point out key features of, and facts about, the different tree species that can be found in the area.
You can see this event as not only a fun educational walk, but one that will be good for your health! Research shows that within minutes of being surrounded by trees and green space, your blood pressure will drop, your heart rate will slow and your stress levels will come down.
Meet by the Rookery Cafe at 2.00pm.
Free – but you can always make a donation if you enjoyed it!
For those that dont have access to a garden or balcony, or work long hours, or have young children – Streatham Common provides the perfect place for escape. Whether its hanging out in the playground or walking through the woods, laying in the long grass or kicking around a football – we all agree its a wonderful place to spend a sunny day.
The common hasn’t escaped the swinging cuts of the last few years and has lost around 70% of its funding. The FoSC volunteers & Sccoop work hard to make the most of what we have in way of volunteering and fundraising. They also spend a lot of time trying to negotiate with the Council to have things fixed, or even to have a rubbish collection. Everything is fought for.
But one thing we cannot control is litter. That is down to everyone of us who use the Common.
If taking a picnic, chilling out or using the Common for exercise – we ask that you leave no trace. The cuts mean that we only have a limited bin collection. The Common on busy days & weekends is unable to cope with the amount of litter left. The downside of this very much affects the environment in a number of ways.
Vermin numbers increase, attracted by leftovers. Foxes pull the bins out at night and the common in early light is strewn with rubbish. Food, Nappies, pizza boxes – its all a favourite among our unwelcome visitors – Rats.
Collected rubbish cannot be separated and recycled, which increases the costs on all of us through Council Tax.
Broken glass is a danger to children and pets.
Wild birds become starved by ingesting plastics and rubbish which doesn’t break down in their gut. Leftover scraps can also poison or choke dogs.
BBQ’s [which are not allowed] leaved scorched earth and destroy grasses. It is a particular concern as we are part of a designated Nature Reserve, the largest in Lambeth. And as they are usually too hot to move, they are left smouldering and already this year the fire brigade has been called on more than one occasion.
Love your Common. Take ALL your rubbish home with you. Recycle. And know you have invested, in a small way in protecting your Common and keeping it safe for your Community.