December Bulletin
It's cold, it's blowy and it's getting dark far too early, but there's still a lot going on in the Park this month.
We've got Christmas wreath-making, poetry groups, photography, a wildlife walk and history group meetings, as well as a midwinter celebration. Not to mention an update from Head Gardener Tom Brown. So wrap up warm and head on out.
Short on daylight, big on planting
Head Gardener Tom Brown writes: The autumn work window has quickly slipped away, and winter has started to fully set in. We are still squeezing as much work as possible into the shorter and shorter days.
We have recently completed the Edwardian border restoration project. This project was started almost two years ago and has seen several phases of shrub and herbaceous planting. This Thursday will see it draw to a close with the final bulb planting being carried out by our fantastic volunteer gardeners. We have also completed our autumn tree planting programme. We have several interesting new trees in both the Flower Garden and the open parkland. A Salix daphnoides has been planted in our particularly boggy bandstand field and a fantastic Heptacodium miconioides in the Flower Garden. Do be on the look out for the many others which have striking autumn colour, unusual bark and flower arrangements or have been selected to thrive in our changing climate.
We have also been replanting some of our failed shrub borders with superb specimen shrubs like Enkianthus campanulatus, Crinodendron hookerianum and Daphniphyllum macropodum. We may be saying farewell to our beloved Rhododendrons, but the conditions are no longer right for them, and we must look to adapt and try new and interesting genera.
Winter can be difficult for us all but please come and join us in the Park for a walk and capture every ray of sunshine on offer. It won’t be long before the hellebores have their moment, the snowdrops and early daffodils start to emerge, and the bird chorus will sing again.
I wish you all a very happy festive season.
Carpet of colours: One of the magnificent Flower Garden trees
Picture: Gwen Tew, FoGP Photography Group
The Holly and the Ivy
Come and join us in the Park to create a beautiful Christmas wreath. Find us in the new Learning Centre on Saturday, December 14. The Learning Centre is near the deer enclosure in the Flower Garden. There are two sessions, at 10.30am and 12.30pm. All materials will be supplied and the bargain price of £20 includes tea, coffee and cocoa. Places are limited so book your tickets here.
About butterflies, moths and dragonflies
Do you want to learn about the habitats of butterflies in the Park?
Naturalist Joe Beale will lead a walk on December 18, from 11am to 12.30. The talk will explore wildlife habitats based on insect surveys done in 2024 and look at the challenges and opportunities to boost the Park’s butterflies, moths and dragonflies.
The meeting point is the owl statue outside the Learning Centre in the Flower Garden. Those wanting to attend should email Clare Hatcher on Clare.h.hatcher@gmail.com.
Reminisce over tea and cake
What do you remember about the Park - during the Covid lockdowns or fifty years ago?
However recent or ancient your stories, we'd like to hear them over tea and cake. Come to the new Learning Centre before memories fade. There will be two sessions - on Monday, December 16, and in the New Year, on Monday, January 20 – both from 2pm to 4pm. We will be recording these sessions to formally capture these memories as part of the Greenwich Park Revealed project. If you would like to come along the numbers are limited so please email Christine Bevan at cnbevan@hotmail.com to book a place.
Midwinter magic
Celebrate the shortest day of the year by heading to the first ever Winter Solstice Festival in the Park.
There will be live performances, a craft and food market, astronomy and science demos.
The festival runs from midday to 6pm on December 21 at the Wolfe Statue viewpoint.
Learn about the nature and heritage of the park with members of The Royal Parks team. Join Observatory Explainers for a series of hands-on science demonstrations throughout the afternoon. Scan the skies through telescopes with astronomers from the Royal Observatory and learn what we can see in daylight with the Flamsteed Astronomy Society.
There will also be spectacular street theatre by Spark!, whose live music, movement, and light show will illuminate the winter night. For more details click here.
Writing, rhyme and reason
If you love poetry, why not join Jack Cooper's reading and writing workshops in the Park.
Jack, our poet-in-residence, is holding sessions to read and discuss poems about the Park this Saturday - December 14 - February 8 and April 12. All sessions will take place in the Learning Centre, and this Saturday's runs from 3pm to 4pm. All other workshops will run from noon until 1pm.
If you'd like to write your own poems, Jack will guide you through activities to help you with metaphors and similes about the Park on January 11, March 8 and May 10. Email him via the contact form on www.jackcooperpoet.com or through info@friendsofgreenwichpark.org.uk, citing Poetry Group.
Bird walk
Julia Holland will lead the next Bird Walk on December 29. Meet at the Blackheath Gate at 8.30am. There is no need to book, but bring binoculars if you have them. The walks last approximately two hours.
Tree walk
Monika Dunkel will lead the next walk on January 19. Booking opens here on January 6. Spaces are limited so priority will be given to those who haven't been before. No dogs please.
Small is beautiful
The Photography Group goes from strength to strength, with members taking some wonderful photographs around the Flower Garden lake at its last get together.
Below are some stunning close-ups from Paula Wilks.
The next meeting will be on January 4. If you're interested in joining and want more details email us at info@friendsofgreenwichpark.org.uk, citing Photography Group.
Register that new bike in the Park
Getting or giving a new bicycle for Christmas? Take it along to the Park on New Year’s Eve where the police will be registering and marking bikes. The session will run from 10am to 2pm near the Blackheath Gate. It won't stop your bike from being nicked but it does help police and retailers identify and verify the legitimate owner of bikes that have been stolen or are being resold.