Sadly due to circumstances beyond our control the annual TLERA fireworks spectacular has had to be cancelled. The event was due to be held at the Horniman Primary School as it had been in previous years, but due to over-running building works at the school and disruption to the fireworks site, it is not possible to hold the event there this year. Sadly we’ve been unable to find another suitable venue on the estate that meets the stringent health and safety criteria required to run the event so the TLERA committee have decided to cancel. We do apologise for any disappointment caused. Hopefully things will be back to normal in 2016.

The good news is that the Horniman school have kindly allowed us to hold our AGM there on Tuesday December 1st, which will be accompanied with mulled wine. We do hope that as many of you as possible are able to join us then.

The annual Summer Picnic will be held on Sunday, 5thJuly in the Triangle between Liphook Crescent and Horniman Drive from 1pm. Bring some food to share with friends and neighbours, plus your own plates, glasses, and cutlery. The Association will, as always, provide the liquid refreshments!

Garden Opening

The second of our two garden openings for theNational Garden Scheme (NGS) will be on Saturday, 20th June between 5-8pm and Sunday, 21st June between 2-6pm. As in 2013, seven members are opening their gardens this year – too many gardens to visit in one afternoon, even for dedicated gardening enthusiasts!

The four very different gardens opening in June are:

27 Horniman Drive

28 Horniman Drive

53 Ringmore Rise

Coach House, 3 The Hermitage, Westwood Park (recently redesigned).

Combined admission is £7, payable at 28 Horniman Drive (no charge for accompanied children). There are plants for sale at 27 Horniman Drive, and garden ceramics and sculptures at the Coach House. On Sunday tea and homemade cakes are available at 53 Ringmore Rise. There will also be a Story Trail for children at 27 Horniman Drive on both days.

Members of the Garden Group have been opening their gardens since 2001 for the NGS. Last year was the best ever – just over £4000 was raised for cancer and caring charities. So do come along and help us to do even better this year.

The Garden Group meets in the evening on the first Wednesday of each month to exchange advice (and plants); arrange visits to gardens open to the public; and organise bulk purchases of gardening materials. If you would like more information, please email secretary@tewkesburylodge.org.uk

After a week of overcast skies and high winds, we couldn’t believe our luck with the weather on Easter Sunday afternoon for the Easter Egg Hunt. TLERA had decided that it would be good to hold a family event early in the year to complement the summer picnic and the autumn fireworks and it was decided to hold this Easter event in aid of Demelza Hospice Care for Children. Demelza supports families with very sick children throughout south east London and Kent. Originally, the plan was to use the Triangle, but we decided that the garden of ‘Hilltop’, Horniman Drive, would be a much better venue.

All the TLERA wonderful cake-baking regulars sprang into action, and the Committee donated the chocolate eggs. Although many people were away for the long weekend there were still plenty who came along with their Easter visitors. The children loved hunting for eggs, feeding the chickens, riding the rocking horse, and following the ‘Hilltop’ Story Trail. The atmosphere was great and it was particularly nice to meet new families on the Hill. Demelza has written thanking us for the cheque for £360.72 raised from the small entrance fee, selling refreshments, and the generous donations we received.

Many people who came said they were in favour of supporting future events held for Demelza. On this note, I would like to hold other such events in the garden, so if anyone has any ideas for fundraising events please come and talk about them! The Story Trail is always there (and developing all the time) so all we need is the weather and the cakes!

All in all, the afternoon made me – as always – extremely grateful that I live on this lovely hill, with TLERA and all the people who put so much time and energy into events like this one.

Thanks to all who attended the TLERA fireworks party on Nov 8th. Despite heavy rain we had a fantastic turnout and none of the fireworks failed to ignite. We hope you enjoyed the food and drink and the spectacular display – if you missed it then it would be great to see you in 2015!

Thanks to the Horniman School for allowing us to use the premises for the display.