Friday 30 October 2015

SLM Digest 14-10-15

Subject: Save Lea Marshes Weekly Digest 

There's a chill in the air but the marsh skies are still blue...

SLM Weekly Digest

Keep Our Marshes Open and Green!


This week our queen of puns is away so I'll do my best to keep up the punning fun:-)

Brownfield to Bloom: Members of Hackney Marshes User Group and Save Lea Marshes met with Hackney Council and the council’s chosen landscape architect this week to discuss plans to transform the car park, which was not granted retrospective planning permission, into a habitat for nature. The agreement reached was for a mosaic habitat that is as natural as possible with minimal planting and no hard surfacing. If everything goes as planned, there will be the creation of a new brownfield site of 0.25 hectares on the site of the former car park, which now left to grow wild, is already home to over 60 species!
Cull Culled - The Daily Mail don't like it but most animal lovers will: The 'humane' cull of foxes proposed for Clissold Park, Hackney has been halted by activists with a successful online petition. The RSPCA and experts in fox welfare said the cull would be neither justified nor effective, but simply cruel: https://www.change.org/p/hackney-council-reconsider-the-cull-of-foxes-in-clissold-park

We Need Space to Play!  - Another important petition in the borough of Hackney is a demand to stop the sell off of children’s playgrounds at Benthal and Nightingale primary schools for luxury flats development:

Do You Dig It? - On Monday the Tate unveiled its inaugural commission for the Turbine Hall. Entitled 'Empty Lot' this art piece consists of triangular wooden planters of earth dug up from different areas of London, from Peckham Rye to Buckingham Palace. Earth has been taken from Hackney Marshes, the Lee Valley Park and the Olympic Park. The idea is to see what wild flowers will grow from this earth, although we're baffled as to why you can also spread seeds there! Let's hope they didn't dig too deep, we know too well what's under the marshes!
http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/oct/12/tate-modern-cultivates-interest-latest-turbine-hall-show-abraham-cruzvillegas

Go Wild! - Grow Wild is looking for projects that use native wild flowers and plants innovatively to bring colour and wildlife to their local area. They should offer volunteering opportunities to young people aged 12-25 and also to over 25s. Projects should also think creatively about sharing stories, photos and activities from their spaces. Supported by the Big Lottery Fund and led by Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Grow Wild wants to motivate communities, friends, neighbours and individuals to come together to transform local spaces by sowing, growing and enjoying UK native wild flowers. To find out more, go to:http://www.lemosandcrane.co.uk/lemos&crane/index.php?id=237793

Speaking Up for The Marshes - continuing Katy's great legacy, an interview with Save Lea Marshes member Abi all about our ongoing campaign will appear in the Waltham Forest Echo very soon.

Events

A wonderful benefit for Save Southwark Woods will be taking place this Sunday at The Ivy House, 40 Stuart Road, SE15 3BE: http://www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk/benefit-gig/4590761321
 

Sunday 25 October 2015

SLM Digest 20-10-15

To: yahoo group <saveleytonmarsh@yahoogroups.co.uk>






Save Lea Marshes is an open group of  local people concerned to keep the marshes and green spaces of the Lea Valley open and green for wildlife and local people.  For further information go to
www.saveleamarshes.org.uk

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SLM Weekly Digest


Keep Our Marshes Open and Green!


News from around the Marshes

There was a dramatic rescue on the Lea river this week, as a man entered the water and the public were concerned for his safety. Seven fire engines,six police cars and an air ambulance were present at the scene. The man is currently recovering. We wish him well.

Once The Horses Have Bolted -  the stable at the Waterworks has been removed as a result of an SLM member’s complaint to Waltham Forest planning enforcement. The stable and paddock have not been used for ponytrekking for a considerable time and were only given permission on a temporary basis. The paddock still remains.

Just a Taster - a sneak preview of the planned Edible Park on Mabley Green can be viewed here.
The Mabley Green users group are just deciding which trees to plant in February and are asking for help, “Should we have more plums or pears? Familiar apples like Coxs or ones you can't buy in the shops like D'Arcy Spice? Mulberries and medlars? Dessert apples or cookers? Tell us!” You can Tweet suggestions of what you’d like to see planted there@mableygreener

Blocking out the marshes? - There are presently plans being considered for tower blocks to be erected in the vicinity of Leyton Marshes. These ‘landmark buildings’ are three towers to the western end of the site with “views over the Lea Valley Park”. The towers are intended to each be eighteen storeys high although this is not set in stone. An underground parking area has been mentioned. Twenty percent or thereabouts of the units will be for affordable housing whatever that means after the recent announcement at the Conservative Conference.The view of a source close to SLM is that this is the potential town centre focused on Lea Bridge Railway Station and that 'it is wrong to just nod it through without putting a proper consultation in place'. It is evident that medium to high rise buildings seem to be the way that that housing construction is going, especially for large developments. The planning application for 97 Lea Bridge Road is going in in November, with a decision expected in 2016.

The Sinking Bridge? - The Greater London Authority is undertaking a detailed investigation into the controversial procurement processes by which designer Thomas Heatherwick and engineering firm Arup won their contracts for the Garden Bridge project in Lambeth. It appears that several procedural improprieties occurred, including the destruction of vital documents outlining the evaluation process during the closed design competition. Whilst it sounds green, the Garden Bridge project has been roundly criticised by environmentalists for proposed destruction of mature trees on site and for the commercial rather than public nature of the planned space. The present investigation certainly puts a question mark over the project.

Spray Off! - Pan UK have launched a new campaign calling for towns to stop spraying pesticides in the streets, parks, schools and open spaces of our towns and cities. Sign the petition

Great British Programme - No it doesn't involve baking, but rather lots of natural delight! Check out the wonderful portrait of the British seasons of the year. Despite the rather uncritical attitude to industrial farming and its tension with wildlife, this series really reveals some exceptional nature photography and is well worth a view:http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01db10t

Lots and Lots of Autumn Events

Apple Day, this Saturday 24 October 12-3pm on Mabley Green

Apple-tasting, apple bird feeders, seed bombing and all things ‘apple-tastic’! This is a free community event celebrating green spaces.Volunteers are needed for the day to help out with the apple press, bobbing and more. Some free tickets for the (sold out) Hackney fireworks display on 7 November are available for volunteers on the day. Drop Damian (chair of Mabley Greeners) a line at mableygreenug@gmail.com 

Pumpkin Lantern Show and carving sessions at the Dalston Curve Garden, this weekend!

It's time once again for Dalston's annual 'Halloween Pumpkin Lantern Show', when pumpkins are transformed over one marathon weekend of carving by creative children, young people and adults. The grand finale is the magical sight of hundreds of lanterns lit up together in the Garden from 6pm on Sunday 25 October. Pumpkin carving sessions are run by hard-working team of garden volunteers; if you can spare a couple of hours to get involved, please email info@dalstongarden.org and they will send you details of when help is most needed.

Pumpkin carving sessions are open to everyone and take place:
Saturday 24 October, 12 - 5pm
Sunday 25 October, 12 - 4pm
And the pumpkins are lit up for the Halloween Pumpkin Lantern Show:
Sunday 25 October, 6pm - late

Carving sessions and the Pumpkin Lantern show are free, but they ask for a donation to cover the cost of the pumpkins. All of the lanterns are left at the Garden to take part in the Lantern Show and can be picked up during the following week.More details on the Pumpkin Lantern Show and carving sessions can be found at www.dalstongarden.org

Abney Park Litter pick and Black History Walks, this Saturday 24th October

There will be a litter pick this Saturday morning, starting at 10 am which will go on for an hour or so. Wear suitable shoes.

Secondly, the Big Event, is a day of Walks and Talks to celebrate Black History Month from 1- 5pm, with a variety of talks including, at 3pm, Diane Abbott MP speaking about the BME experience in North London. There will also be a display from the Hackney Archives in the classroom. Do come along to one or more of the talks - they're free and always very interesting.

Saturday 31st Oct 12-2pm Orchard Tree Wheel

Meet Springfield Park Cafe at 12 noon. MAP.Cycle round our orchards: Springfield Park, Spring Hill,Millfields, Hackney Downs, Daubeney Fields. Finish at Tree Nursery 2pm approx. for some food and bonfire. Or go to tree nursery direct for a bit of work before food and bonfire. Bring food to share.

Voluntary Action Waltham Forest Offer for Training in Fundraising:

On the 19th and 20th of November (one month from now) Directory of Social Change Fundraising Fair are hosting their annual London fair.This will be two days of practical fundraising training and information for fundraisers at all levels. There will be 34 workshops covering a wide variety of key fundraising topics: from In-Memory Giving, Ethical Issues in Fundraising and Events Fundraising, through to Stress Management, Digital Fundraising, Telling Stories and Building Relationships. For all levels of experience. Here' s a link to the brochure with the full range of workshops: http://www.voluntaryaction.net/sites/voluntaryaction.net/civi_files/files/civicrm/persist/contribute/files/Fundraising-fair-2015-brochure.pdf

Last but not least! Our next meeting will be on Monday 2 November, 7.30pm, at the Princess of Wales pub, E5.

Tuesday 20 October 2015

SLM Digest 14-10-15



There's a chill in the air but the marsh skies are still blue...

SLM Weekly Digest

Keep Our Marshes Open and Green!


This week our queen of puns is away so I'll do my best to keep up the punning fun:-)

Brownfield to Bloom: Members of Hackney Marshes User Group and Save Lea Marshes met with Hackney Council and the council’s chosen landscape architect this week to discuss plans to transform the car park, which was not granted retrospective planning permission, into a habitat for nature. The agreement reached was for a mosaic habitat that is as natural as possible with minimal planting and no hard surfacing. If everything goes as planned, there will be the creation of a new brownfield site of 0.25 hectares on the site of the former car park, which now left to grow wild, is already home to over 60 species!
Cull Culled - The Daily Mail don't like it but most animal lovers will: The 'humane' cull of foxes proposed for Clissold Park, Hackney has been halted by activists with a successful online petition. The RSPCA and experts in fox welfare said the cull would be neither justified nor effective, but simply cruel: https://www.change.org/p/hackney-council-reconsider-the-cull-of-foxes-in-clissold-park

We Need Space to Play!  - Another important petition in the borough of Hackney is a demand to stop the sell off of children’s playgrounds at Benthal and Nightingale primary schools for luxury flats development:

Do You Dig It? - On Monday the Tate unveiled its inaugural commission for the Turbine Hall. Entitled 'Empty Lot' this art piece consists of triangular wooden planters of earth dug up from different areas of London, from Peckham Rye to Buckingham Palace. Earth has been taken from Hackney Marshes, the Lee Valley Park and the Olympic Park. The idea is to see what wild flowers will grow from this earth, although we're baffled as to why you can also spread seeds there! Let's hope they didn't dig too deep, we know too well what's under the marshes!
http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/oct/12/tate-modern-cultivates-interest-latest-turbine-hall-show-abraham-cruzvillegas

Go Wild! - Grow Wild is looking for projects that use native wild flowers and plants innovatively to bring colour and wildlife to their local area. They should offer volunteering opportunities to young people aged 12-25 and also to over 25s. Projects should also think creatively about sharing stories, photos and activities from their spaces. Supported by the Big Lottery Fund and led by Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Grow Wild wants to motivate communities, friends, neighbours and individuals to come together to transform local spaces by sowing, growing and enjoying UK native wild flowers. To find out more, go to:http://www.lemosandcrane.co.uk/lemos&crane/index.php?id=237793

Speaking Up for The Marshes - continuing Katy's great legacy, an interview with Save Lea Marshes member Abi all about our ongoing campaign will appear in the Waltham Forest Echo very soon.

Events

A wonderful benefit for Save Southwark Woods will be taking place this Sunday at The Ivy House, 40 Stuart Road, SE15 3BE: http://www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk/benefit-gig/4590761321
 



Copyright © 2015 Save Lea Marshes, All rights reserved.
You signed up for this email by contacting us directly or ticking a sign up sheet on a petition.

Our mailing address is:
Save Lea Marshes
c/o The Hornbeam Centre
458 Hoe St
Walthamstow, London E17 9AH
United Kingdom

SLM Digest 9-10-15



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SLM Weekly Digest

Keep Our Marshes Open and Green!

This is the Weekly Digest of Save Lea Marshes.  We are an open group of people living in the Lea Valley Area, keeping a watching brief on what might affect the marshes and green spaces of the area and trying to protect the marshes and spaces we love from unwanted developments.  To find out more about our work go to
http://www.saveleamarshes.org.uk
Don't forget to visit our merchandising page.  We will be launching some new products soon (we'll let you know as soon as they are ready), but there is still some great stuff already there.

If you are on twitter please follow, favourite and pass on our campaign to save the Poplar tree on North Marsh at
http://@treefortysix

PESTICIDES - PAN UK have launched a campaign called Pesticide Free Towns - with the aim of achieving just that
http://pesticide-free.org

IN THE PRESS - teenage riot in Walthamstow covered in the Waltham Forest Guardian
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/wfnews/13835209
and in The Guardian p,14 with comments from local MP Stella Creasy.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/news
Body found in Lea - not suspicious circumstances - Waltham Abbey Area, Waltham Forest Guardian, as above.

The Guardian on Thursday, p31-33 has a long article "The Old Man and the River, by Nick Davies.  This is about the River Ouse in East Sussex but reading about what get's thrown into the river and its effects are all too familiar for us Lea lovers.  So worth a read.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/journal

OFF THEIR BLOCKS - last week we mentioned about two separate pre-planning bids for the Lea Bridge Road area.  For further information go to
http://democracy.waltham-forest.gov.uk/documents/s48r/Bywaters%20Gateway%20Site Leyton Pre-app%20 pres pdf

or http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/wfnews/13835209
A group of local residents is getting together to be ready for the impacts of the re-opening of the Lea Bridge Station and there may be more local action including the proposals above to come.

PETITIONS OF THE WEEK -  John West (not the best), unlike other brands and own supermarket brands, the company are not conforming to methods which help to safeguard other species...
http://secure.greenpeace.org.uk/tuna petition


Hackney has some ideas to free up land currently occupied by three primary schools and their playgrounds see

EVENTS

Enjoying their Birthday year The Mill has some great things going on including a new exhibition on display from 9-11 OCTOBER of specially commissioned postcardsdesigned by school children, one MP and one MBE as well as some Turner prize winners.  Pay £1 and see what comes up in the mystery raffle (£5 at least on Pay Pal).  Proceeds going to the Mill's fundraising and also to Forest Night Shelter for the homeless.  Further details from http://charlotte@themill-coppermill.org
or see the website http://Themill@coppermill-org.uk

Tree Musketeers are go!  On Sunday 11 October from 10.30-2.00 p.m. at Spring Hill Orchard, its harvesting and weeding (be prepared for brambles).  Tools provided.  Meet at the Orchard.  On Saturday 31 October 12.00-2.00 p.m. its at the Orchard Tree Wheel - meet at 12.00 p.m. at the Springfield Park Cafe and then cycle round to other orchards on the way to the Tree Nursery in Homerton Road.  Or, just go straight to the Tree Nursery at around 2.00.  Bring food to share around a bonfire (some work to be done first..).  Both events are free.   Contact http://treepeople@km551818.demon.co.uk

The Ecology and Conservation Studies Society are organising a series of 6 weekly evening lectures concerning citizen or volunteer-based monitoring of our natural habitat geared to professionals, those wanting to learn more and those with a non-professional but passionate interest..  Fridays from October 9 to November 13 from 18.30 to 20.00 at Birkbeck, University of London, Lecture Theatre, B36, downstairs.  Further details - including recommended reading from
http://bbk.ac.uk/geds/our research/eccss/free-public-lectures


NEXT SLM MEETING MONDAY 19 OCTOBER AT 7.30 IN THE PRINCESS OF WALES PUB, LEA BRIDGE ROAD.   We share a drink or two and enjoy both relaxed and animated campaigning talk - so do come along...
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Copyright © 2015 Save Lea Marshes, All rights reserved.
You signed up for this email by contacting us directly or ticking a sign up sheet on a petition.

Our mailing address is:
Save Lea Marshes
c/o The Hornbeam Centre
458 Hoe St
Walthamstow, London E17 9AH
United Kingdom

Monday 5 October 2015

SLM Digest 1-10-15

U

SLM Weekly Digest

Keep Our Marshes Open and Green!

We start this digest announcing the launch of a twitter account you are going to want to follow and get your followers to follow http://@tfortysix
What's a tfortysix when its at home?  Well, this is the number of the tree on Hackney Marshes that is the real embodiment of those famous lines the Joni Mitchell song "they took all the trees and put 'em a tree museum - then they charged the people a dollar and a half just to seem em.." and, "they paved paradise and put up a parking lot!"  We want to save this tree and not see it sacrificed for the sake of walking a few metres and to save the marshes from more exposure to noxious fumes (which thanks to Volkswagen), we all know are more than we've previously been told about.

HAMPSTEAD HUFF - hotfoot news from one of our group who happened to go out for a relaxing walk across Hampstead Heath last week and came back with higher blood pressure than when she left, thanks to the current Dam (Damn?) Project.  Well I never, it involves Atkins (who were also involved in the Olympic Basketball Training Facility and AECOM.  To sign the petition go to
http://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-hampstead-heath

NEW HEIGHTS - news of piecemeal plans for tower blocs on the Northern Olympic Fringe.  The first of several planned developments at Bywaters near Ruckholt Road and what is being referred to as 97 Lea Bridge Road, are being discussed at the London Borough of Waltham Forest Planning Committee on Tuesday 6 October (go if you can).  Further details
http://democracy.walthamforest.gov.uk/reListDocuments.aspx?Cld=297&MId=3879

and
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/wfnews/13791102.Plans for huge new housing developments will bring almost 1000 homes to Leyton

ICE-SURRENDER - you have probably heard the news by now but if you haven't, great news as SHELL has abandoned its plans to drill more in the Artic see
http://secure.greenpeace.org.uk/Shell-Victory-share

IN THE MEDIA

Anyone who missed the BBC4 programme at 9.00 on Wednesday night - "Dark Side of the Greens" about Golf Development resorts, should reach for the IPlayer or wait until the BBC recycling unit shows it again (warning: contains images of Donald Trump!).

Front page of the Hackney Gazette this week:  "Three arrested for daylight shooting:  Moses Fadairo was brutally gunned down in Chatsworth Road". Our thoughts and condolences are with his family.  I was about to board a 308 bus when the emergency helicopter landed in Millfields Park in a haze of fumes.  Then a crew ran off in the direction of Chatsworth Road.  At first, I thought it was a training exercise but later as the bus progressed along the road, it was all too obvious that something really serious had occurred.  See also, letter of the week on p.20 "Silver Trees mansion would be a useless white elephant", from a local Oxfordhisre resident raising the issue of Hackney Council's proposal to buy a £1.25 mansion in the middle of the Oxford green belt to provide country breaks for troubled teenagers has run into serious problems... and on p.4 "Park staff praised for 'incredible' Green Flag achievement", as the highest-ever number of Green flags are awarded for the boroughs green spaces - including Hackney Marshes (wonder if they'll hang on to that one?)
http://www.hackneygazette.co.uk

Nationally, The Guardian has on p.1 & 10 a feature on "Realistic test finds more diesel cars that pollute"
http://guardian.co.uk/news
and also an interesting feature in G2 on the forthcoming charge for plastic bags pp.6-8.  Apparently, they make up 2 per cent of our litter on land and in the sea with other forms of plastic being more dangerous to seabirds...

Evening Standard p.13 on Monday "Khan:  I'll turn capital into first National City Park" (Can he do it?  Yes, he Khan!).
http://www.eveningstandard.co.uk/news

EVENTS (and "core" events as the apple gets celebrated in October ...).
Our friends at Hedge Herbs are running a Herbal Walk at Wanstead Flats on Saturday 3 October.  Meet outside the "All You Read is Love" bookshop/cafe, at 877 Leytonstone High Road E11 1HR.  Please book in advance. Cost £5 per person.  Contact Rasheeqa on 07784506494.

Saturday 10 October from 11.00- 4.00 p.m. Apple Day at Vestry House Museum, Walthamstow Village - enjoy music, treats and celebrate all things apple.  Apple celebrations continue on Sunday at the Learning Lodge, Pimp Hall, Chingford from1.00-3.pm  and Hedge Herbs are also organising an Autumn Herb Walk at Tower Hamlets Cem., Southern Grove, cost £8/£5 for concs. Details from Rasheeqa on the above number or see website Hedge Herbs, Hedge Herbs on Facebook or Twittering Hedge.

Mabley Green Users Group are also bobbing up with a few apple and other events - there is a Big Apple event (free for all the family) on 24 October from 12.00 - 3.00 p.m. on Mabley Green and, if you are quick, tomorrow (Friday), there is a Make Your Own Herbal Cosmetics Event with Cordwainers College from
3.30-5.30 p.m. on Kingsmead Estate (near Runnymede House).  Details of these events and others can be gained on the Groundwork website or via the Mabley Green website


Next SLM Meeting - Monday 5 October at 7.30 at the Princess of Wales pub, Lea Bridge Road, E5. We usually gather at the roadside end of the pub beyond the quizzers..all welcome.

SLM Digest 17-9-15


SLM Weekly Digest

Keep Our Marshes Open and Green!

This is the Weekly Digest of Save Lea Marshes.  See our website http://www.saveleamarshes.org.uk
for further information about our work.

Vigilance - is the word of the week as more threats to the Green Belt and Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) sites are revealed in a new map launched by the Campaign to Rural England and a press release highlighting some of the campaigns going on at the moment in the London area see
http://cprelondon.org.uk/resources/item/2288-protect-london-map
The CPRE are also asking people to let them know of other likely sites where there are threats to these designated spaces contact office@cprelondon.org.uk.

PETITION OF THE WEEK - another example of threatened woodland, which I am again drawing to people's attention is that 1,000 signatures are needed by 27 September to appeal to Southwark Council not to destroy acres of beautiful woodland and historic graves, work which is planned to start in October. Go to http://www.savesouthwarkwood.org.uk/object

LEA VALLEY REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - yes, we have had our ups and downs with the LVRPA as regular supporters will know.  However, along with campaigning,SLM have always worked towards having a meaningful dialogue with the organisation in order to achieve the best outcomes for the marshland.  I am pleased to report that recent contacts with the LVRPA have been much more positive - for example, having SLM representatives on a panel currently considering a mural project on the underpass near the Waterworks Centre and having walkabouts and dialogue with the new South Ranger Eammon, tackling such issues as land management and the state of Leyton Marsh.  We are probably still not quite eye to eye yet on the issue of mowing regimes or on the upcoming "Countryside Li(v)e" event due to start up on 20 September, and close down on 28 September, both in content and on the impact on the land, particularly as it is in a much more delicate state following the reinstatement after the Basketball Training Facility.  We, are in agreement about getting more community support for the marshes, including getting volunteers trained to help with regular ecology improvements and increasing attendance at events and workshops.

IN THE PRESS - locally, the Waltham Forest Guardian has: follow up news on the body found last week in Hollow Ponds - a murder victim with a criminal past; Fly tipper has to pay hundreds of pounds for fly tipping in Epping Forest and Wood Street Walls gets a grant of £18k. from the Mayor of London.
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk

There was also an article in Tuesday, 15 September's ediition of the Evening Standard, p.12 "Space to build million extra homes in London" describing Mayor Johnson's aim to build 42k. homes each year naming areas including the Upper and Lower Lea Valley.  Also, on the same page "Quay to Modern Living" - an idea to have floating houses (picture shows an artist mock up near the Olympic site).
http://www.eveningstandard.co.uk/news

In the national press, the campaign we have featured in previous Weekly Digests, finally gets into The Guardian on Thursday 17, p.21 on the plans of the South Korean Winter Olympics to fell a 500 year forest and sacred site for a couple of weeks of skiing. http://guardian.co.uk/international

EVENTS & COURSES

Another reminder about the Great Katy Event on Leyton Marsh on Wednesday 23 September at 6.30 details on our website.

For those of you who would like to take your interest in woodlands a step further, we have information from Naturewise about courses taking place in Coppicewood College in Pembrokeshire, West Wales, using traditional methods and tools.  These range from 6 month 2 day a week Woodland Skills course starting 30 September and others of of 1-4 days.  If you are interested in finding out whats on offer contact Roddy on 01348 874809 or email
coppicewood01@aol.com or see the website
http://www.coppicewoodcollege.co.uk


Our friends at Belair Park have a Community Autumn Fair going on this Saturday 19 September at All Saints Church, West Dulwich and outside Lovelace Road, SE21 from 2.00 to 5.00 p.m.  For further information on this and other events go to http://www.friendsofbelairpark.org.uk



Next SLM meeting will be on Monday 21 September at the Princess of Wales, Lea Bridge Road, from 7.30.  Come along!

SLM Digest 25-9-15

SLM Weekly Digest

Keep Our Marshes Open and Green!

Thank you to everyone who came along to the "Great Katy Event" on Wednesday evening to remember and celebrate Katy Andrews and share, songs, poems and memories of Katy.  We were lucky that the weather  great; the scenery blissful, apart from the "prison-like" exterior of "Countryside Live", which our event coincided with.  By the way, if anyone is missing an unusual shaped vegetable knife - I have it safe and will return if you contact me via http://saveleytonmarsh@hotmail.co.uk

A BETTER USE FOR CAR PARKS -  we have received the latest blog from John of Forage London who is promoting his film made in a car park featuring wild plants that can be used for food to view go to
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s&6B5KVk0

John's website also has details of extra dates (one's that are not already booked), such as walks at the Castle Climbing Centre and a mushroom growing workshop happening in November. http://http??www.foragelondon.co.uk/walks-courses

IN THE PRESS -  The Waltham Forest Guardian features the "Countryside Live" event describing it as "an annual showcase which attracts thousands of visitors".  This includes 3,000 school children who come to experience "countryside" life including horses, cows, sheep, ducks and farm animals.  This weekend, entrance is free to children with financial partnership with Countryside Learning, £5 for adults or £7 for a two-day pass
 http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news

What the article doesn't say, is that it involves vehicles driving across the land; post holes in the ground and security fencing around most of Leyton Marsh.  Plus lighting at night.
SLM thinks that there must be a better, more sustainable way to both protect the land andget children and families interested in wildlife and the countryside, which is more relevant to the local area and would encourage more people to volunteer.  Maybe you disagree, but if not, please tell the Lea Valley Regional Park Authority, who are in a more listening mood at the moment.
visitleevalley.org.uk 

There is an on line article on funding for parks which is worth a read on
http://www.hortweek.com/cuts-putting-parks-road-ruin-say-experts/parks-and-gardens/article/1364251

PETITION OF THE WEEK - if you haven't yet managed to lend your support to the plight of Southwark Woods and graveyard - the petition date has been extended to 5 Octobergo to
http://savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk/object

EVENTS - On Saturday 10 October from 10.00 a.m.- 5.00 p.m. at Friends Meeting House, Euston Road, NW1 is The People's Housing Conference - Building a Movement for Homes.  Book tickets (by 26 September is recommended) via the website http://www.peopleshousingconference.org
(Childcare available).

Next SLM  Meeting is Monday 5 October at 7.30,
Princess of Wales pub, Lea Bridge Road, E5 
- new people or old friends always welcome.

And Finally - members of SLM were interviewed by a flim maker from Hamburg, this week about the experience of the 2012 Olympics and Leyton Marsh.  Hamburg are looking at bidding for a future Games and there are some who want to learn from our experience and try and fend it off...

SLM Digest 27-8-15

SLM Weekly Digest

Keep Our Marshes Open and Green!

This week we deal with the aftermath of the result of the Planning Inspectorate Inquiry (PINS), with either "glasses half full or empty".

We will be putting up further details and a copy of the report on our websitewww.saveleamarshes.org.uk but in the meantime there is coverage in the Hackney Citizen
www.hackneycitizen.co.uk/2015/08/27/plans-to-build-on-hackney-marshes-get-green-light 
and in the Hackney Gazette on p.4 "Marsh car park must go - but controversial pavilion is approved".  There is also a letter from Johnnie Walker, Chair of the Hackney and Leyton Sunday Football league gives his views (half a page of missing the point that under the Councils plans, football is losing more pitch space..).  www.hackneygazette.co.uk 

ALSO IN THE PRESS - both local Hackney papers have stories which merit attention.  P1 of the Gazette has a story of an "affordable home" in Hackney at £1m; and a feature on the proposed restoration of a Grade II listed Victorian coal house on the Woodberry Wetlands site.  The Citizen covers the campaign in the Theydon Road Area of Clapton against the North London Waste Plans (featured in last week's digest).  It seems that residential areas have been wrongly marked on a map as "preferred employment areas" (PEAs).  Local Councillors are on the case and it is likely that another local meeting be added to the list for locals to air their views.
Over in Waltham Forest, the Waltham Forest Guardian stories include:  Paul Osborn, Harrow Councillor is to take over as the new leader of the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority including its three Olympic venues; there are calls for a special, express bus, the 558 from Chingford Mount to Seven Sisters to be retained after the rail/tube improvements get sorted out and on the River Lea, fire crews were called out to rescue a narrowboat that hit a boom.
www.guardian-series.co.uk/news 

MINI HOLLAND - if people passing the Ice Rink on Lea Bridge Road, have been puzzled by the appearance of a hut and signs of work, this is to do with the forthcoming section of the cycle scheme.

GOING FOR A SONG - Charlotte Church has recorded a song for the Artic as part of a Greenpeace campaign to stop Shell drilling in the Artic.  To hear the song and sign the petition go to https://securegreenpeace.org.uk/joincharlotte 

OUR PLANET - we have been sent a link courtesy of our friends of the Belair Park Campaign from Prime Meridian, with excellent pictures of our planet and details of climate changes see www.ecosphereproject.org

EVENTS

There is a public information open day on September 10 from 3- 7.30 p.m. on 10 September (same date as the NLWP meeting in Haggerston), to follow up on plans for the new
Downsview (NoDownsview?) Primary School planned for Hackney Downs - entrance on Tiger Way.  Further details
www.hackney.gov.uk/bsf (featured in current issue of
Hackney Today on p 20).

Manor House Development Trust offer free wildlife food walks on the SECOND SUNDAY of every other month, along the New River, starting from the Castle Climbing Centre on Green Lanes and finishing at the Redmond Centre on Kayani Avenue, alternating with the London Wildlife Trust on the other  month with their wildlife walks which start at the LWT garden on Newnton Close see
http://www.mhdt.org.uk/pact/greener-cleaner/pact-walks/
Urban Harvest also have activities on the THIRD Sunday of each monthhttps://urbanharvest.wordpress.com/home/calendar
Free and no need to pre-book for the Manor House PACT or
Urban Harvest events.

Tree Musketeers Programme - next events are:  SATURDAY (not Sunday) 29 August 10.30-2.00 p.m. at the beautiful Hackney Tree Nursery.  Help water, stake and pot up and on SUNDAY 13 September meet at 10.30 at the Bowling Green on Hackney Downs for watering trees and general maintenance.  For further details on these and other up-coming "tree-mendous" activities go to
www.treemusketeers.org.uk or email
trees@treemusketeers.org.uk

Chatsworth Road Festival is on Saturday 5 September.  Chatsworth Road, Hackney, E5.
www.chatsworthroadfestival/2015

Next SLM events are the regular meeting at the Princess of Wales at 7.30 on Monday 7 September and the gathering to celebrate the life of Katy Andrews from 6.30 on Leyton Marsh, near the Black Poplars bordering Walthamstow Marsh.  Bring songs, poems, food and drink to share (and something to take any litter home).

Hackney Marsh victory

Public Inquiry Result