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 View this email in your browser 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.