Opportunity for a sheltered spot
As our summers are getting hotter so trees from hotter climes are flourishing, like this Crepe Myrtle which comes from the Far East. Once considered a half hardy tree which did well to survive an English Winter, the Crepe Myrtle was not expected to flower at all. Now it is full bloom in Forest Hill Road and also in Boxall Road off Turney Road in Dulwich. As well as the indigo flowers, it has grey bark, a delicate shape and in Autumn, orange leaves. Small colourful trees are exactly what we need on our Estate, so if you know of a sheltered South facing spot, please let me know.
Halcyon Days in The Triangle
Older members will remember those long hot summers of childhood, when you could play out in the street with your friends while your parents chatted to the neighbours? Well maybe those days are not gone forever! At this year’s July Summer Picnic in the Triangle, we were able to recapture a little bit of that freedom and fun by also closing part of Liphook Crescent to traffic for a few hours of Street Play.
Carefully supervised by parents and volunteer stewards, the children used the traffic free space to ride their bikes and scooters, and the hot tarmac was perfect for roller skating too. Others were inspired by the coloured chalks the Association provided to have a go at hopscotch and a little bit of street art, as well as to invent their own games. The children were also delighted to be able to play in the Triangle, a special green space bordering the road – a usually forbidden place!
It was so successful that the Association is considering organising regular Street Play sessions, perhaps for a few hours once a month. Parents who attended thought that would be a great idea, so we are planning a few more trial runs to test popularity and canvas resident’s opinion – especially from members living around the Triangle. Do let us know what you think of the idea.
Tree Project Progress 2018
Stuart Checkley, our tree champion gave a presentation at the Forest Hill Assembly meeting on July 10th. Here is his report
Stuart Checkley – Our very own Groot
Stuart is our tree champion and has done a lot of work to achieve funding and promote the planting of new trees throughout The Tewkesbury Lodge Estate. We asked Stuart to explain how his interest in trees began in the estate where he has lived for many years and here is his answer.
We moved to the estate 37 years ago partly because of the trees in the area and in the garden that we eventually bought.
From the beginning I was amazed at the woodland wildlife. There was Woodcock (once) , owls (often but sadly no longer) hedgehogs (also gone) but Wood Mice, Wood Avens, Speckled Wood Butterflies and much else that is still here.
Then a large tree was removed from a nearby garden and I realised how vulnerable is this woodland habitat. I looked into The Preservation Orders and found that the Council is willing to protect long lived trees such as Oak so long as they are visible from the roadside and especially if they are on the skyline. I started a list of such trees and so far have found seven such trees in The Triangle, seven on the site of the Radio Mast and eight in people’s back gardens.
The Oak trees in people’s gardens are visible from the roadside but their size and beauty are only evident from a nearby back garden.
The trees as a whole can be seen from Royal Circus which is above Norwood Road. Our trees are part of what looks like a continuous wood which includes Dulwich and Sydenham Woods, Horniman Gardens, our estate and One tree Hill. The clock tower of the Horniman Museum rises above the apparent wood as does the Radio Mast on our estate but the South Circular is invisible. It is easy to imagine that ancient Great North Wood which once included all these woods and ran from Deptford to Selhurst in the Middle Ages and through what is now our Triangle and our back gardens.
Pimms and Play Street – 1 July 2018
Pimms and Play Street Fun for all at the annual TLERA picnic in the Triangle. Free to all members of Tewkesbury Lodge Estate Residents’ Association. New residents welcome. See you there!
Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday Hilltop, 28 Horniman Drive, SE23 3BP 1st April, 10am – 1pm
Only £1 entry, which includes Easter eggs. Tea and homemade cakes for sale, with all proceeds going to Demelza Hospice Care for Children.
Come and join us! Relax in the garden if the weather is good. If not, shelter in the conservatory while the children find the eggs. And if you have one, don’t forget to put on your Easter bonnet!
Latest newsletter
TLERA Members should recently have received the February 2018 Newsletter through their letterbox. If your copy didn’t arrive then please contact your road representative. If you would like to join and support the association please email the membership secretary at membership@tewkesburylodge.org.uk
TLERA AGM, Tuesday 13th March from 6.30pm- Horniman School
A Cleaner, Greener, Safer Estate
How do we stop rat-running through the Estate?
Join us for our AGM at Horniman Primary School to discuss possible options and solutions, as well as hear the latest on our street tree initiative.
Light refreshments will be served. Doors open 6.30pm
