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!