September bulletin

We'd like to introduce you to Emma Paley, who has the plum job of new head gardener in the Queen's Orchard.
Emma has the curious title of Kitchen Engagement Gardener, harking back the to the historical understanding that this garden provided produce for the adjacent Queen's House. In practice, Emma's job is to manage the Orchard and the new kitchen garden behind the Sancho Cafe. Speaking to the Friends' Clive Corlett, she said she will be helped by the existing volunteer gardeners but there will be opportunities for more to join. 
Having studied for a university degree in psychology, Emma became a special needs teacher, but the lure of gardening was too strong and she returned to her studies, taking a Future Gardeners' course and a City and Guilds diploma in practical horticulture. Living locally in Peckham, she jumped at the chance to apply for the job here. It will allow her to pursue her special interests in growing fruit and vegetables organically and with an eye to their health-giving and medicinal properties, and in creating a self-sufficient garden.
What about a couple of issues that concern visitors, like the Orchard's currently restricted opening hours? She said: 'I love welcoming the public, and I want the Orchard to be open on as many days and for as many hours as possible.' And the uncultivated far end of the Orchard? 'I would like to keep it wild but we need to control the damaging undergrowth around the trees, and I want to introduce some wildflower meadow areas,' said Emma.
Finally what, apart from the Orchard, is her favourite part of the Park? 'The path from the Maze Hill gate to One Tree Hill offers a series of wonderful and varying views down to and across the river,' she said.
We wish Emma all the best in her new job. 

Pip pip hooray: Emma Paley, the new Kitchen Engagement Gardener, gets on with pruning the cordon apple trees in the Orchard  

Take a walk on the wild side
The Field Studies Council, official partner to The Royal Parks, has organised a free walk for Friends, which is funded by Greenwich Park Revealed.
The walk - 'An introduction to the wild flowers and habitat of Greenwich Park' - will take place on Friday, October 11, from 10am to 1pm and will be led by expert botanist Mark Spencer. If you'd like to join please contact the FSC by email at enquiries@field-studies-council.org, or telephone 020 8502 8500.
The group will meet outside the Learning Centre in the Flower Garden. The facilities at the centre will be available afterwards for tea, coffee and biscuits.

Rhyme and reason

Explore Greenwich Park in new ways at a series of events run by our poet-in-residence Jack Cooper.
Read and discuss poems written about the Park in a friendly, low-pressure environment on October 12, December 14, February 8 and April 12.
If you want to write poems, and be guided through activities to help you with your own metaphors and similes about the Park, join Jack's writing workshops on November 9, January 11, March 8 and May 10. All sessions will take place in the Learning Centre from noon until 1pm. Jack has asked members to send him suggestions for poems about the Park they'd like to cover in the reading groups (their own included). Email him via the contact form on www.jackcooperpoet.com or through info@friendsofgreenwichpark.org.uk, citing Poetry Group.

Learn about the Park's trees

Study in shades: A dramatic view of sunset in the Flower Garden 
Picture: Gwen Tew, Friends of Greenwich Park Photography Group

Friends can book here for two free Tree Walks in the Park - on October 13 at 11am and 1pm. Booking opens on our website on September 30. Places are limited so priority will be given to those who haven't been before. No dogs please.

Annual lecture - get your tickets quick 
The Friends' annual lecture will be given by Andrew Scattergood CBE, the Chief Executive of the Royal Parks, on October 22, at 7.30pm for 8pm in Mycenae House. The talk is entitled: ‘The Royal Parks, Building the Future’. Tickets are available on our website here. The cost is £10, which includes a glass of wine. Seats are limited so do book now. 

Ignatius! - come and enjoy the music 
A series of concerts celebrating the life of writer, composer and abolitionist Ignatius Sancho will take place in the Flower Garden later this month.
A specially commissioned concert performance with original music about the life and work of Sancho, who grew up in Greenwich and became the first black person to vote in the UK, has been created by award-winning composer Nick Bicat and writer Tunde Euba. It's brought to us by Tramshed, in partnership with The Royal Parks, and is directed by Angela Ekaette Michaels.
There will be two performances each day on September 21 and 22. Tickets are free but you will need to book them here.

Bird walk
Julia Holland will lead the next Bird Walk on September 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. 

Photography group
Hardy members of the Photography Group braved a wet start to the Family Festival at the Wolfe Statue over the August Bank Holiday weekend. 
The rain prevented a large gathering but members still managed to capture some of the key moments of the weekend, and the weather did improve! If you're interested in joining and want more details email us at info@friendsofgreenwichpark.org.uk, citing Photography Group.

Rain dance: A wet start to the Family Festival didn't stop the fun
Pictures: Ian Welsby, Friends of Greenwich Park Photography Group

Showcase success
The Greenwich Park Revealed showcase exhibition last month proved very popular, figures from the Park show more than 1,500 people visited, learning about GPR and enjoying the archaeological exhibits found in the Park over the course of the project. The archaeological digs - over 8,000 hours - attracted more than 200 volunteers, and around 500 people visited the Roman site.