This new event for the Association last October (2016) was designed to be a celebration of the season of “mist and mellow fruitfulness”.  As the weather was kind, the children’s activities could go ahead in the garden.  The children used autumn leaves, berries and seeds to create stunning pictures and wonderful decorations, as well as making brightly coloured lavender bags using the dried flowers from the garden.  Budding gardeners were also able to plant daffodil bulbs to take home, and autumn stories were read in the Story Hut at the end of garden.

Meanwhile, the adults could try a range of wonderful locally grown apples, and try the mulled cider which proved a big hit.  Three hearty, homemade soups were also on offer.  Harvest crops were paired with unusual flavourings: carrot and cardamom; leek, potato and lavender; and spicy pumpkin and coconut.  Then it was time for cake and once again our local bakers did not disappoint, with their own twists on traditional fruit-based recipes: apple and almond; chocolate and beetroot; plum; and pumpkin pie – all worthy of the Great British Bake Off.

One of the highlights should have been an apple pressing from different locally grown apples.  However, the apple harvest this had been disappointing, so making litres of luscious juice was going to be tricky – even before it was realised that the promised, professional apple press could not be obtained in time!  Not to be deterred by such setbacks, Rowena, using a commendable degree of improvisation, put together our very own Heath Robinson press, consisting of two chopping boards and a series of clamps.  Enough juice was produced for all present to drink a thimble-full and everyone declared the resulting nectar to be delicious and, interestingly, much sweeter than the original apples.

A big thank you to all those who made the event possible and thanks too to everyone who came along at such short notice. We are reliably informed that there will be a bumper harvest next year, so do let us have your feedback and ideas to make Autumn Harvest 2017 an even bigger celebration of the fruits of Forest Hill.

Join us on December 4th for Carols by Candlelight with mulled wine and mince pies in the Triangle (between Horniman Drive and Rocombe Crescent). Six talented members who sing in choirs have volunteered to help out by leading the singing, and carol sheets will be available so we can all join in! We may even do a walkabout on nearby roads for those not able to get to the Triangle.

This will take place on Sunday 4 December at 5pm in the Triangle between Horniman Drive and Rocombe Crescent. So do come along and, if you can, bring a lantern or candle in a jar to light our way. We should love to have some musicians and more singers, but don’t worry if singing is not your forte! If you enjoy singing, can play an instrument to accompany the carols and other seasonal songs, and would like to join the small group before the evening, do let Bea Jackson know by calling her on 020 8699 7143.

UPDATE – a great time was had by all – look out for it next year! See our apple pressing by clicking on the links below

Apple Pressing 1

Apple Pressing 2

Apple Pressing 3

TLERA is introducing this new event on Saturday 8 October to celebrate the season of ‘mist and mellow fruitfulness’. Children can have fun planting bulbs to take away and grow at home, creating leaf and seed pictures, making lavender bags, and playing some pumpkin-themed games. Meanwhile, adults can try their hand at fruit pressing (bring your own apples or pears if you have any), and can share ideas and recipes for cooking or preserving fruit and vegetables.

To show what can be done with seasonal crops, hot homemade soups such as butternut squash and sweet potato, leek and potato etc. will be available, as well as crusty bread, cheese and apples. Pumpkin pie and apple and almond cake will also be on the menu.

The event will take place between 1 and 4 pm at Hilltop, 28 Horniman Drive. The conservatory and covered veranda will provide protection if it rains, so the event is weatherproof! We hope that you will enjoy this new event and will give us your ideas on how it might be developed in future years.

PS: If you need a helping hand to pick your fruit or collect windfalls, one or more garden group members can help out. Contact Frankie Locke on 020 8699 2548.

Join us on December 4th for Carols by Candlelight with mulled wine and mince pies in the Triangle (between Horniman Drive and Rocombe Crescent). Six talented members who sing in choirs have volunteered to help out by leading the singing, and carol sheets will be available so we can all join in! We may even do a walkabout on nearby roads for those not able to get to the Triangle.

This will take place on Sunday 4 December at 5pm in the Triangle between Horniman Drive and Rocombe Crescent. So do come along and, if you can, bring a lantern or candle in a jar to light our way. We should love to have some musicians and more singers, but don’t worry if singing is not your forte! If you enjoy singing, can play an instrument to accompany the carols and other seasonal songs, and would like to join the small group before the evening, do let Bea Jackson know by calling her on 020 8699 7143.

Sadly, it has proved impossible to secure insurance cover for our annual non-commercial firework event due to changes in the insurance market. So the Association has had to accept that we can no longer hold the annual fireworks event which is a great shame given its popularity over recent years.

However, TLERA are planning two new events – please save the date for these – more details will follow soon – look at for further information coming through your letterbox.

Autumn Harvest Event – Saturday 8th October 1 – 4 pm (venue tbc)

Carols by Candlelight – Sunday 4th December in the triangle with mulled wine and snacks (afternoon – exact time tbc)