Perivale Park London

Our second community celebration of the park took place in lovely weather yesterday. We estimate one hundred or so people might have dropped in during the day, either to participate in the dog olympics, to buy cakes from the LAGER can stall, to go on the inspirational nature walk, to learn about Horsenden Hill and Farm, to hunt for treasures in the park, to work it all off with a bit of exercise or to meet our park ranger Mark. Many from the RedGreen group (who exercise on Tuesdays and Thursdays and were the original inspiration for the  Friends) turned up, as did the Gurnell-Greenford  Greenwayers. Thanks all!

Continue reading “Perivale Park (late) Summer event – photos!”

LAGER (Litter Action Group Ealing Residents) visit the park frequently, either as a group or as individuals. Here is one such visitor’s report. Thanks Ian!

Continue reading “A walk through the park by a LAGER CANer.”

I have been following the colours in the park from the violets of early spring to the oranges of late July. The fairly regular rain this year has encouraged them all this year.

Continue reading “Evolving colours for the start of autumn: the teasel.”

It is mid-July now, but one blessed with more rain than usual for this month. Apart from everything spurting growth, a more diverse mid-summer colour has now appeared with unusual blues, pinks and yellows.

Continue reading “Colour in the orchard meadows.”

Most of the June postings here were about colour. So I thought I would start off July with one about the heady honey-like aromas of Lady’s Bedstraw, as currently found in Longfield meadows in abundance.

Continue reading “The scented delights of Longfield meadows (National Meadows Day)”

Contemplating nature sometimes can be done sitting down. And having lots of benches from which to do that helps! So it is a pleasure to say that five more “railway sleeper” benches have now been installed in the Longfield meadows area of the greater park.

Continue reading “Five more benches installed.”

Access to the park from this entrance had caused problems for people with buggies and wheelchairs due to the presence of a large pothole and lack of access around a gate, as noted this April. As of today, both issues are now sorted!

Continue reading “Cowgate Road entrance – the “pothole”and access around the gate.”

The next flower to highlight in the park is located in the flower meadows next to the fruit orchard.  Yes, it is indeed named after Achilles, whose soldiers used the plant (yarrow) to treat their wounds.

Continue reading “The pastel shades of Achillea in the orchard flower meadows.”

I know  I did a post on poppies a few days ago, but walking past them today we noticed the remarkable variety of colours they are showing.  So here are a selection for you to enjoy.

Continue reading “Poppies in close up!”

The park is now looking decidedly blue, with the abundant cornflowers joined by Echium (Viper’s bugloss)

Continue reading “After the poppies … the cornflowers”

As promised a week or so ago. Again, the combination of rain followed by sun and heat has brought them on wonderfully.

Continue reading “Poppies!”

The wet  May and lots of recent sun and heat has brought the colour of June to us. The yellows, blues and whites of spring have now been joined by the likes of the blues of the cornflowers, the reds, orange and pinks of poppies, the red white and pinks of campion and the related and the wonderfully delicate ragged-robin which has sprung up near the spring in the Longfield meadows.

Continue reading “June is the month of colours!”

Saw these two Ducks diving on one of the ponds on Perivale Wetlands today.

More photos of the flax meadows in the park orchard garden.

Continue reading “A splash of blue in west London.”

The weather held dry between 11.00 and 14.00 today (but rained earlier and later) so our small but select group of volunteers were able to really dress up one of the four flower beds around the orchard garden benches and free two of the adjacent flower meadows of the large dock plants that had become established. The new garden tools were put to very good use and the large thermos flasks provided much needed hot tea.

Continue reading “Perivale park orchard: its flower meadows and some gardening exercise.”

The bluebell season this year seems to have lasted longer than usual. So it was in the second half of May we were able to visit a somewhat less-well known English bluebell wood, possibly because accessing it if you have a car can be less than obvious. The wood itself was at its peak!

Continue reading “One more set of bluebells: Long wood.”

The four wild flower meadows in the orchard area of the park were planted with a variety of exotic plants about 18 months ago. One of those was flax, which made a brief appearance last autumn but has now come into its own. It has not yet reached its peak, and should last throughout the summer. As is often the case, (my) photos do not do it justice, you really should visit in person.

Continue reading “Flaxen meadows.”

of the wild mustard. We were harvesting the young tips in March and  April (they make lovely greens, if a tad bitter for some tastes). But those that managed to escape our attentions have now flowered and a magnificent display it makes too.

Continue reading “First we eat it, now we enjoy the colour …”

Calling all gardeners please to a communal event on May 22. The orchard garden needs you!  As do the wonderful collection of new gardening tools we now have and some industrial size Thermos pots for warming tea or coffee, thanks to Richard and Vanessa,

Continue reading “Saturday, May 22, 11.00, Perivale park orchard communal gardening event.”

The bluebell season is lasting a bit longer than usual, due to warm weather early in April and then cold spells. A lesser-known local bluebell wood is Gutteridge. As with Perivale wood, where the glory was stolen to some extent by the Celandine, in Gutteridge wood its the white Greater Stitchwort that takes your breath away (and the bluebells as well of course).

Continue reading “Bluebells, Cowslip and Stitchwort in Gutteridge and Ten-acre Woods.”

The new nature reserve on the south west corner of the park has activity. A large and hugely enthusiastic group of volunteers have started appearing on weekends to create a new reserve area.

Continue reading “A walk around the Coston’s Lane Nature reserve.”