From the local Met Police: “Hounslow Safer Neighbourhood Teams are working closely with the Hounslow Council Community Safety Team to carry out a crime prevention stall in Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road TW3 on both the 26th & 27th of September 2019 from 1000-1400hrs. The event, which forms part of the West (London) Area’s Days of Action in regards to crime and community engagement, will take place in the library which is situated on the 1st floor.
Please feel free to attend to pick up some crime prevention literature and to find out information about your local SNT. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible.”
If you need to reply regarding this message, use this email address: appeal.westarea@met.police.uk
We now have residents of all ages enthusiastic about making a new wildlife-friendly area. By reducing mowing and sowing wildflower seeds we are creating a flower meadow and children are invited to adopt nest boxes made by Les and volunteers.
Les hopes to put the new nest boxes up on Sunday 22nd September at 10.30 am. He would appreciate any help from some younger Dads (or indeed anyone up for it) with drill, screwdriver and a ladder.
Head for the north-east corner of the park
An evening of classical opera with Gordana Kostić, featuring works by Bizet, Dvořák, Puccini, Mozart & Verdi.
Gordana is a protégé of Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and a prize-winning international artist. Based in England, she has performed worldwide.
An opportunity to see a world-class artist in an intimate setting. Not to be missed! Janet Bishop accompanies on piano.
Tickets £15 including light meal Full programme and tickets available from Les McCallum, les@lesmccallum.com or call 07510 632109
| Mary Poppins Returns film screening (U): Bank Holiday Sunday 5th May 2019 “In Depression-era London, a now-grown Jane and Michael Banks, along with Michael’s three children, are visited by the enigmatic Mary Poppins following a personal loss. Through her unique magical skills, and with the aid of her friend Jack, she helps the family rediscover the joy and wonder missing in their lives.” Come and enjoy a great cinematic experience this May bank holiday for a fraction of the price and on your doorstep. Sunday 5th May 2019, WERFA Pavilion, IsleworthDoors open 2pm • Film starts 2.30pmRefreshments on sale pre-screening including homemade popcorn and themed ice-cream!Children must be accompanied by an adult for admission.Tickets just £3 per person. Children under 18 months free. For further information or to pre-book tickets, email info@woodlandsevents.org.uk And keep an eye on our facebook page @WoodlandsEvents |
The AGM of the Association will be in the Pavilion at 7.30pm on Monday 15 April 2019. Please book the date and join us – a drink and nibbles will be there as a welcome at the start. This is a chance to meet neighbours as well as playing a part in the serious business of looking after our unique asset. Tell us any ideas for activities or for improvements in the Park. Any items for discussion should be put in writing and emailed to WERFA or given to the Hon Secretary, 69 Woodland Gdns by 31st March. The Social Club AGM follows on the same evening.
Some of us are old enough to remember…
Saturday Morning Pictures for Children
Join us – on a Saturday evening- for Saturday Morning Pictures for Grown Ups. See the old movies featuring favourites such as Laurel & Hardy, Flash Gordon, cowboys and cartoons. Any special requests and suggestions for the films to Les. Further details soon.
The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) held a volunteer day on Friday 22 February in the Duke’s River, starting at Octavia Road and ending at the Royal Oak. The primary purpose was to remove the invasive floating pennywort, but they also removed a lot of rubbish. They were delighted to see our resident kingfisher. They have promised to tip us off when they are next holding a volunteer day in the Woodlands and will welcome any volunteers from the estate who wish to join them. They provide waders and all necessary equipment. Details of local activities can be found on their website: www.tcv.org.uk/london/richmond.
Unfortunately, they always work on weekdays, so many people are working and unable to join them. It’s unlikely we’ll get enough notice to advertise an event in WERFA News. So, if anyone is interested in joining TCV’s activities, their best bet is to keep checking the website.
Of the 5 thrushes that can be found in the UK, two can be seen only in the winter months. These birds travel south from Scandinavia and Iceland to avoid the bad weather and search for food in our warmer climate. The smaller one is the Redwing. The larger of the two is a Fieldfare. Slightly bigger than our native Mistle Thrush it can be observed in groups of from 10 up to several hundred or more.
Look for this colourful thrush at the top of large leafless trees around the estate, slate-grey head and rump with a chestnut coloured back and wings and always facing into the wind. The name is derived from their being seen most commonly searching for worms on rough open grassland or fields (the traveller over the fields). Fallen apples, berries and fruit are readily eaten along with snails, hawthorn, rose hips and rowan. They arrive in October
and return to their breeding grounds in the spring.
Redwing– The other thrush is perhaps a little more common but is often overlooked. The Redwing is slightly smaller than our native song thrush and perhaps much more attractive with its red flanks and cream eyestripe.
They arrive from Northern Europe and Iceland in their tens of thousands, a classic night time migrant that sometimes comes to grief in the dark by striking lighthouses and then dying in their hundreds.
These two species will often occur together in nomadic winter flocks as they both search for the same food supply. Look out for them in your garden or do what I do, sit on the bench by the Dukes River and see them feeding on the ivy overhanging the water.
Les
♦ LB Hounslow’s Consultation Hub https://haveyoursay.hounslow.gov.uk/. This month includes:
Dockless Bikeshare
What did we think of the one-year Mobike trial? Ends 3rd March.
Proposed Additions to the Local List
Many suggestions on local features that are worth preserving – which to choose? Ends 6th March.
♦ A reminder – The Ward Boundaries review first round is open until 18 March; anyone can submit a map of their proposals.The Local Government Boundary Commission will produce draft recommendations in mid-2019, these recommendations will be open for further public consultation. http://www.lgbce.org.uk/
♦ Sign up/renew Garden Waste collection service by 1st April.
♦ Hounslow Council is moving – after the recent Civic Centre closure event the Council internet was due to move end Feb and offices will start to move during March to new Hounslow House.
No commercial vehicles or skips are allowed in WERFA Park in connection with work to individual houses.
Car access via 10-foot way is permitted only for residents for garaging or in exceptional circumstances agreed by WERFA.
Damage has been caused recently to the 10-foot way within WERFA Park and to sports court concrete surroundsby unauthorised heavy vehicles.
There is a local social network called Nextdoor Woodlands. Some residents are concerned that a recent note about it seems not to have been sent by the person named. As with any social network we need to be cautious about providing our contact details and the result can be a stream of emails, many promoting services over a wider area. But it can be useful.
If interested it’s at-www.nextdoor.co.uk
