October News
The Park has had a very busy summer, with a packed programme of events - ranging from band concerts to archaeological digs and a Heritage Open day and culminating in the Greenwich Festival over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Visitors can now get a proper peek at the progress the Greenwich Park Revealed project is making. The Learning Centre and the new Sancho cafe in Vanbrugh Lodge at the top of the Park are taking shape. The building work and landscaping should be finished by the end of the year.
The projects for the Grand Ascent, Parterre Banks, Pavilion Café and Blackheath Gate have been tendered and the contractor chosen. The work will start late this month and is due to last through to May 2024. We hope to have details of any area closures soon.
Additional works by the Park team are now being considered, including improving the Dell for a stumpery/loggery area, a three-year phased approach to renovate the Rose Garden, and bringing eroded areas across the Park back to grassland.
We'll dig dig dig...
Bucket list: Sunshine and smiling volunteers on the Grand Ascent archaeological project in the Park
Volunteers got down and dusty in the Park as community archaeologist Andrew Mayfield lead a three-week dig on the slope in front of the Observatory to find Charles II's Grand Ascent. Rain early on failed to dampen spirits and the sun shone all last week. There are some additional dates if you want to get involved. Sign up here
Friends' Annual Lecture - SOLD OUT
A treat in store for Friends with Andrew Mayfield talking about 'Community Archaeology in a Royal Park, findings from the Greenwich Park Revealed project' at Mycenae House, Mycenae Road, London, SE3 7SE, on October 17. The evening kicks off At 7.30pmfor 8.00pm. All tickets are now sold.
Apples and pears...
Grow your veg: Open Day in the Queen's Orchard Photo: The Royal Parks
More than 300 visitors turned up to enjoy the wonderful Queen's Orchard on the Royal Parks Heritage Open Day on September 16, and it really felt like the last day of summer with all the sunshine. There were activities for children and families along with expert-led walks and talks and information about the history and heritage of the orchard.
Brick by brick
The Friends' History Research Group has been looking at the Park wall to establish if anything original from the time of James I still exists. On Monday, October 9, David Cufley, who is an expert in ancient brickwork, will lead a walk looking at one of the oldest and most interesting stretches in the south-west corner. It starts at11am and will last up to two hours. Meet outside the Park Offices at Blackheath Gate. It's free but there are limited spaces. Book here
Wildlife volunteers please
The Park needs conservation volunteers to help with wildlife habitat management and improvement tasks. You can volunteer on a regular basis or there's the chance to 'drop in' when you can. Join up here
Oral history lessons
Andrew Mayfield and Barbara Holland (Chair of the Friends' History Research Group) are hoping to set up an oral history project next year about Greenwich Park with help from the Greenwich Park Revealed project team. Some bespoke training in oral history – a two day course run by Alan Dein (an oral historian and an award-winning radio documentary presenter) - has been scheduled. The course will be held in St Mary’s Lodge over two days, Wednesday, October 18 and Wednesday, November 1 from 10.30am to 4.30pm.
Training is free and you need to sign up for both days. Places are limited. Please contact Barbara Holland at info@friendsofgreenwichpark.org.uk
Stroll this way
If you'd like to walk in the Park with some new friends you can join Greenwich Get Walking, a scheme run by Charlton Athletic Community Trust alongside the Royal Borough of Greenwich. It's a perfect way to meet people and get more active. The varied programme includes a meditative Mindfulness Walk on the first Monday of every month and a high-impact Health Walk on Wednesdays. More details here
And on the subject of walking ...
Bird Walks: Our popular Sunday morning Bird Walks continue through the season, on the last Sunday of each month. The next is on October 29. All you have to do is turn up at the Blackheath Gate at 8.30am. The talks are led by Julia Holland and last approximately two hours. Bring binoculars if you have them. There is no need to book.
Autumn Tree Walks: Discover the trees in the Park and learn about tree identification with nature guide Monika Dunkel. Monika has agreed to lead two walks this month – at 11am and 1pm on October 15. We are offering it free exclusively to our members. This tree walk will be aimed at adults and children over 10 years. Only assistance dogs, please.
Tickets will be available on the website from 10am on October 3.
Still a chance to choose our old chestnut…
Get your vote in for one of the Park's ancient sweet chestnut trees which is in the running for Tree of the Year. Please follow the link and give this 360-year-old giant your support! Voting closes at midnight on Sunday, October 15.