Talk by Tim Marlow, Director of The Design Museum
Postponed. Please watch the website for a new date.

 Photo : Design Museum
Wednesday, 26 January 2022, at 7pm in the Holland Park Orangery

The Design Museum became our new neighbour in November 2016. Since then, it has evolved significantly, and Tim Marlow, the museum’s Director, will give The Friends’ February 2022 talk to tell us how it has changed. He will give us the news on future plans and explain why the museum wants to be part of the local community, as well as being the world’s leading museum devoted to design in all its forms.
 
Formerly Artistic Director of the Royal Academy of Arts, and Director of Exhibitions at White Cube, Marlow has been involved in the contemporary art world for the past thirty years as a curator, writer and broadcaster.  He has worked with many of the most important and influential artists of our time to deliver wide-ranging and popular programmes, and brings a commitment to diverse and engaging exhibitions to his new role, showcasing the transformational capability of design. Tim Marlow sits on the Board of Trustees for the Imperial War Museum, Art on the Underground Advisory Board, The Design Age Institute and Cultureshock Media, and was awarded an OBE in 2019.

Tickets are £18, to include wine and Janice Miles’ delicious canapés. If you use the Holland Park car park before 6.30 pm, please remember that the meters no longer take cash.

[Winter 2021]

Woodland Survey Completed

The survey of the park’s woodlands has been completed and we await the full report with interest. The RBKC Ecology Service commissioned Land Use Consultants (LUC) to carry out drone and on-the-ground assessments of habitat classification, structure and composition as a first stage. Based on the habitats found, LUC will consider each area’s suitability for different types of flora and fauna using ‘indicator’ plants to determine what will grow best in the area. The survey will also tell us which invasive species need to be dealt with if they are not to outcompete everything else.

 This work is essential to creating and maintaining healthy and sustainable woodlands. Without it, planting would be guesswork and plants might not take at all, or might actually do damage to existing vegetation. Even ‘woodland mix’ might be completely inappropriate in woodland.

Dr Mark Spencer, in his recent talk on wildflowers for the Ecology Service, warned against wildflower planting without a thorough understanding of the habitat, what already grows there and what will grow there naturally. Mark says: ‘So often, the underlying problem is a huge bias in people’s perception that plants are inactive, pretty backdrops to nature and not the dominant powerhouse they actually are.’

The intended output from LUC’s habitat survey is a Holland Park Woodland Management Plan, and this will provide a blueprint for planting of trees, shrubs and smaller plants, as well as for habitat maintenance.

 Woodland management sounds simple, but it is not. It is doubly difficult when the trees were all planted at the same time, as is the case with Holland Park’s woodlands. They are not ancient, ‘natural’ woodlands. That means many of the trees are dying at the same time. Only this May, RBKC tree officers found more failing trees in the woodlands and, when these are large trees, the risk of branches dropping cannot be accepted. A large poplar and a large horse chestnut will have been felled by the time you read this. More trees have been earmarked for dead wood removal. It is always sad to lose wonderful old trees, but it has to happen if safety is at stake, and the solution is to plant new trees. It must be said, the Council have been very slow to start this in Holland Park, and The Friends regularly chase up regarding the agreed long-term tree strategy. An assessment of trees in Arboretum 1, Arboretum 2 and the woodland space to the immediate west of the Acer Walk has been completed and there is space for some new trees. The Friends await sight of the assessment so that we can get the planting started. These Arboreta are designated as meadows, so the plan is for interesting trees, not too densely planted, so that the meadows can benefit from light between the canopies. We understand that the Arboretum 1 (East of the Acer Walk) is about to be scythed, to hold back the grass and let the resident wild flowers flourish. There used to be pignut (Conopodium majus) growing in this area, and it will be interesting to see whether it returns.

 In anticipation of the LUC report, The Friends are assisting the Ecology Service by creating a list of possible trees for planting in the woodlands. The intention is that our native trees are represented, but not all of them are likely to survive the expected change in climate. We can already see that birches are struggling in London parks. Some native trees simply will not cope, so we are adding appropriate species that will be Britain’s trees of the future. The advice is to look at what species of tree currently thrive in southern France and in Spain, on the assumption they will like the climate coming to our shores. Do not look at trees from northern climes.

It is worth making the effort to ensure our wildflower and tree planting is sustainable, and that future generations can enjoy Holland Park’s woodlands as much as we do. Done correctly, this will ensure the park enjoys healthy woodlands for years to come.

[Summer2021]

Kyoto Garden Gets a Spring Clean

 During April, the Kyoto Garden was closed for three days for essential repairs to the pond and to improve the planting alongside it. First the Koi carp were carefully transferred to a holding tank in the Holland Park nursery and then the pond was drained. A surprising amount of sticky black mud was removed and the coins that had been thrown in extracted, before the pond’s lining was jet-washed and leaks were repaired. It looked a very messy job for the idverde team, who were joined by Scott and Louis, and all worked extremely hard to get the job done quickly and minimise the time the garden was closed to the public. The Iris ensata (Japanese water iris) rhizomes on the margin of the pond were replaced, and we look forward to seeing the beautiful mauve flowers again this year.

Refilling the pond has to be done so that the water is just how the carp like it: too clean and it will lack the good bacteria that provide nourishment for the fish. Tap water cannot be used as it contains chlorine that kills the good bacteria; so, some of the water that was drained from the pond was mixed with fresh water, and the carp will be monitored to check their health and make sure they thrive.

 The original garden on this site was built during the summer of 1991. Designed by Shoji Nakahara, it was opened that September by HRH The Prince of Wales and His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince of Japan. The concept was inspired by an earlier Japanese garden in Holland Park and was timed to coincide with the 1991 Japan Festival that marked the centenary of the Anglo-Japanese Society. Between 1991 and 2011, the Kyoto Chamber of Commerce funded visits by teams of gardeners from the Kyoto Gardens Association to ensure the garden stayed true to the original intent: designed for strolling slowly and mindfully along the path past symbolic features and shrubs pruned in the Japanese style. The path should be followed in a clockwise direction, based on the Yi theory of Japanese garden design, which allows the features to be revealed in the intended sequence. Visitors are encouraged to let others enjoy the garden by observing quietly and peacefully so that others can do the same.

In 2011, the agreement with the Kyoto Chamber of Commerce was concluded with a gift of a specialist team, led by Yasuo Kitayama, to develop the next phase of the garden. The original structure was kept, but the cascade was remodelled, and new features added. Scott and Louis were again part of the team working under Kitayama-san, as was idverde’s Marc Sinclair, who has been trained in the art of Japanese pruning. At that time, Barrie Maclaurin was RBKC’s Parks Manager, and he had, and has, a passion for Japanese gardens, many of which he has visited in their homeland.

A team of Japanese gardeners visited again in 2020 to assess the garden and work on the plants. They expressed their appreciation that the garden has been well tended and has kept to the intended concept. So, the Kyoto Garden is being well cared for, and what remains to be done is to convey to the many visitors that it is a place for quiet observation and respect.

 Adjacent to, but separate from the Kyoto Garden, is the Fukushima Memorial Garden. It was created in 2012 in recognition of the support the British gave to the Prefecture of Fukushima at the time of the 2011 tsunami. Yasuo Kitayama returned to oversee the work, and the opening of the new garden attracted the interest of London’s Japanese community and the Japanese media, who were in London to cover the Olympic Games. Mr Yoshio Mitsuyama is chairman of the Fukushima Prefectural Association in the UK, has been greatly involved with the development of Holland Park’s Fukushima Garden, and is a member of The Friends. He has arranged countless visits to the garden by school children from Fukushima, and his energy and persuasive influence have helped to raise funds. We are delighted to tell you that Mitsuyama-san has recently been recognised by the Japanese Government by being awarded the Order of the Rising Sun for his work to restore the fortunes of Fukushima (northeast Japan) and the wider Tohoku region. This is a prestigious award and well deserved. Our congratulations to Mr Mitsuyama.

The Kyoto and Fukushima gardens are both beautiful. It is only with time and proper care that the true beauty of the skilfully designed gardens will manifest itself.

Jennie Kettlewell

[Summer 2021]

Holland Park bird walk

Sat 18 Sept.  9-10.30 am. Meet by the Friends’ noticeboard in the Holland Park Café Yard.

Join professional ornithologist, Bill Haines, on a walk round Holland Park to spot birds that nest in or visit the park. He knows the park and its feathered inhabitants well, having demonstrated bird-ringing in the Wildlife Enclosure for many years. Find out how to identify the bird species, where to find them and just come and enjoy them.

Free to attend and no need to book. No dogs please. For further information email Jenniekettlewell@thefriendsofhollandpark.org, or call 020 7243 0804.

Ecology Service Talks

Funded by The Friends

Autumn bat walk

Wed 8 Sept.  7.15-8.45 pm

At this time of year, bats are a common evening sight as they feed up, ready for the winter. Join an expert from the London Bat Group to learm more about these fascinating nocturnal animals, using bat detectors to search for them around Holland Park. Please bring a torch.

Free, but booking essential. Donations to The London Bat Group are welcome.

This Ecology event is sponsored by The Friends of Holland Park, so that it can be free to attend.

Please book through https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/environment/holland-park-ecology-centre/events-and-activities. You can also ring 020 7938 8186 or email ecology.centre@rbkc.gov.uk. Meeting point will be explained when booking is made.

[ July 2021]

Join a Friends’ tour of Holland Park

Learn about the history of Holland House, the families that lived there and the pleasure grounds they created. Or find out about the decorative art in the park from the ornaments on the listed buildings to the modern sculptures.

Each tour will be lead by one of two qualified Blue Badge Guides, chosen by The Friends for their passion for our park, as well as their expertise.

Sat 23 Oct. 10.30am   Decorative arts tour. Rowan Freeland

Tues 9 Nov. 10.30am  History tour. Leila Sukiur.

Meeting point will be shown on the ticket.

Each tour is limited to a small group so all can hear the fascinating stories about the park.

Book a ticket online here or call Margaret Rhodes on 020 7792 1265. £10.00 per person.

[July 2021]

Holland Park tree identification walk

Thurs. 9 Sept.  11.00am - 1.00 pm. Meet by the Friends’ noticeboard in the Holland Park Café Yard.

Dr Alan Harrington will, once again, show us some of the wonderful trees in Holland Park and explain how to identify them. This event promises to be both informational and enjoyable.

Free to attend and no need to book. No dogs prefered please, as not all areas visited will allow access for dogs. For further information email rhoddy.wood@virgin.net, or call 020 7602 0304.

Ecology Service Talks

Funded by The Friends

Wild plants of Holland Park

Thurs 15 July.  6.30-8.00 pm

Dr Mark Spencer will help identify some of the wildflowers in Holland Park.

Free, but booking essential.

Damselflies and dragonflies walk

Sat, 24 July.  1.00-3.00 pm

David Darell-Lambert will lead a walk around Holland Park to find these aerial acrobats. Learn how to identify the different species.

Free, but booking essential.

Autumn bat walk

Wed 8 Sept.  7.15-8.45 pm

At this time of year, bats are a common evening sight as they feed up, ready for the winter. Join an expert from the London Bat Group to learm more about these fascinating nocturnal animals, using bat detectors to search for them around Holland Park. Please bring a torch.

Free, but booking essential. Donations to The London Bat Group are welcome.

All three of these Ecology events are sponsored by The Friends of Holland Park, so that it can be free to attend.

Please book through https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/environment/holland-park-ecology-centre/events-and-activities. You can also ring 020 7938 8186 or email ecology.centre@rbkc.gov.uk. Meeting point will be explained when booking is made.

[ July 2021]

Belvedere Restaurant - CLOSED

Many of you already know the restaurant, and those that don’t should! It has a stunning site overlooking the Iris Garden, is a distinguished listed building which was once the summer ballroom for Holland House and, last but not least, has a very tempting menu. Book a table on 020 7602 1238 or find out more on their website: belvedererestaurant.co.uk.

Offer: 10% off meals.

[Closed Spring 2021]

 Holland House Conservation
The contractor, Borras, took possession of the site on 14 December, and scaffolding now adorns the east wing of Holland House. RBKC’s Senior Project Manager reports that roofing works are well underway, as are masonry repairs. The timber window frames of the east wing were very evidently in a poor state, and repairs have been started, to be followed by lead and steel window repairs in February. It is intended that work on the west and south elevations of the east wing will be completed so that scaffolding can be removed in time for erection of the opera canopy, should it be decided to have one this season. Carp in the hostel pond have been moved to a temporary tank. This is the first phase of works. Conservation of the main Holland House building will be carried out as phase 2, commencing in September 2021. Holland House will remain on Historic England’s ‘Heritage at Risk Register’ until the work is considered to have progressed sufficiently.

Information board for Holland House
It is extraordinary that there is no information in the park to inform visitors of the great history of Holland House and the families that lived in it. The Friends have been successful in their NCIL funding bid for an information board, to be sited under the big chestnut tree, at the foot of the access road to the terrace. NCIL (Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy) is a charge the Council collects from new developments in the borough, with a requirement to set aside 15% of the funds to be spent on local priorities. In time, we hope we can arrange a second information board to greet visitors as they approach the house from the north.

Dutch Garden wall
Specialists have been carrying out repairs and re-pointing work on the wall along the north side of the Dutch Garden. Buttresses are being added, in the same style as those already in place, to strengthen the west end of the wall, which is off the straight. It is a complex project and, inevitably, work will take longer than planned. It should be finished around the time you receive this newsletter. We hope that work can then be done to give some much-needed structure to the Mediterranean Bed alongside the wall.

The Belvedere Restaurant
It is sad to learn that The Belvedere will not return to Holland Park. We are waiting to hear from the Council what they have in mind for this very special venue. Needless to say, The Friends have a view on what would, or would not, be appropriate for this prime Holland Park site.

 Lord Holland’s Pond
Back in October, the lining of Lord Holland’s Pond sprang a leak. The idverde team, together with Scott and Louis, and helped by some volunteers, drained the pond and cleared out the accumulated rubbish. Once they had repaired the lining, the team replaced the plants and plant cages around the perimeter, all of which should provide an improved home for this year’s tadpoles and moorhen chicks.

Text & photos Jennie Kettlewell

[Spring 2021]

Those of you who use your membership cards to receive discounts when shopping with some of our Friends and Neighbours, might have noticed that the end of February is when your card expires. A new one is enclosed with this newsletter if our records show that you have paid your subscription for 2021. Your order form will be white.  All subscriptions were due on 1st January except for those who joined after 1st September 2020. If we think you have not yet paid, there will be no membership card, and your order form will be green with a standing order form on the back. Over 600 of our members use standing orders as it means they never have to remember again, and it helps our treasurer too.

Or you can pay using our website www.thefriendsofhollandpark.org or post a cheque, payable to The Friends of Holland Park, to Graham Franklin, 19 Campden Hill Gardens, London W8 7AX.

Current minimum rates are £12, or £9 for the over 65s, with joint subscriptions available for two people at the same address for £20, or £15 where both are over 65.  You will agree that these are very moderate sums, but we keep them low to enable all to join. Our records are not infallible, so do contact Graham on 07802 761 548 or ggfranklin3@aol.com if you have a query.

However you pay, we are most grateful for your support, as it gives us clout in all our dealings with the Borough and other bodies.

Rhoddy Wood

[Spring 2021]

 Albert Schweitzer said: ‘Never say there is nothing beautiful in the world anymore. There is always something to make you wonder, in the shape of a tree, the trembling of a leaf.’  So many of us value the wonderful trees we have in Holland Park, from the leafy shade of the woodlands, to the exotic species dotted all over the park. We enjoy them now, and must make a huge effort to ensure future generations have the same privilege.

Our woodlands are not ancient, were all planted at the same time, and are ‘wearing out’ at the same time. It is simplistic to say we should just plant more trees. We need an informed plan to guide us on what to remove, what to plant and where to plant it, so that we retain viable habitats for the many species of plants, small mammals, birds, butterflies, insects and amphibians we enjoy in the park. We also need to think about trees that will survive and thrive in our changing, yo-yo climate.

 The first stage is to carry out a thorough assessment of the ecological value of the woodland habitat, within each woodland enclosure, and for the woodlands as a whole. The Friends have agreed to fund a detailed survey of habitat classification, structure and composition, including a drone survey. Where possible, findings will be classified in accordance with National Vegetation types, with consideration of suitability to support appropriate flora and fauna. The project will take place this spring, because it is the best time to establish what ‘indicator’ plants are present, i.e. plants that help determine what will grow best in the area. It is also the best time to discover invasive species that might hijack the habitat if not dealt with. Together with updated species surveys (bird, bat, wildflower etc.), this will provide a sound context for the next stage, a Woodland Management Plan, which gives a structured guide to planning and organising the sustainable management of our woodlands.

That would be a significant achievement and is a good reason for The Friends to fund the project.

Did you know?

During the pandemic trees apparently grew faster than usual. Scientists think it might be something to do with lower pollution levels due to reduced traffic during the Covid-19 lockdown. Little hard information is available, but no doubt someone will follow up with research, and we hope to hear more.

Text & photos Jennie Kettlewell

[Spring 2021]

Those of you who use your membership cards to receive discounts when shopping with some of our Friends and Neighbours, might have noticed that the end of February is when your card expires. A new one is enclosed with this newsletter if our records show that you have paid your subscription for 2021. Your order form will be white.  All subscriptions were due on 1st January except for those who joined after 1st September 2020. If we think you have not yet paid, there will be no membership card, and your order form will be green with a standing order form on the back. Over 600 of our members use standing orders as it means they never have to remember again, and it helps our treasurer too.

Or you can pay using our website www.thefriendsofhollandpark.org or post a cheque, payable to The Friends of Holland Park, to Graham Franklin, 19 Campden Hill Gardens, London W8 7AX.

Current minimum rates are £12, or £9 for the over 65s, with joint subscriptions available for two people at the same address for £20, or £15 where both are over 65.  You will agree that these are very moderate sums, but we keep them low to enable all to join. Our records are not infallible, so do contact Graham on 07802 761 548 or ggfranklin3@aol.com if you have a query.

However you pay, we are most grateful for your support, as it gives us clout in all our dealings with the Borough and other bodies.

Rhoddy Wood

[Spring 2021]

I am delighted to confirm Monica Castelino’s very well deserved appointment as Parks Manager for the borough. Many might not have realised that she was working as interim Parks Manager.

Monica has worked in the borough since 2007 in a variety of roles in the Parks team. During this time she has consistently displayed a calm and practical can-do attitude and a real commitment to the parks. She also works extremely well with all the different stakeholders both inside and outside the parks. Most recently she has brought all those skills and knowledge to bear in the re-procurement of our parks contract. We are extremely fortunate to have such a dedicated officer.

Councillor Emma Will

[Spring 2021]

The parks management contract, held by idverde expires on 31 March 2021. The Council was required to put the contract out to tender, and followed a rigorous procurement process that invited and assessed competitive tenders. This twelve-month process was designed to establish which contractor offered the best parks maintenance service, both in terms of quality and value for money. The contract covers 90 parks and green spaces in the borough and is for horticultural work, grass cutting, path sweeping, general cleaning, sports bookings and a number of other services.

The procurement process started with public consultation, to which some of The Friends contributed, and proceeded through three stages, with bidders’ detailed responses to the brief at each stage. The procurement team read some 600+ pages of documents per stage. This team was made up of specialists in relevant disciplines: parks management, law, insurance, sustainability, finance, communications and procurement, as well as a representative of The Friends on behalf of borough park users. Eunomia, specialists in procurement, provided independent oversight to ensure the whole exercise was robust and fair.

 Tessa Lee of Eunomia reported that: “The procurement process, using the Competitive Procedure with Negotiation procedure, is one of the most robust and detailed we have run for a grounds maintenance contract. Monica Castelino (RBKC Parks Manager) and the team put in a huge amount of work ensuring the initial documents were well written and the requirements conveyed clearly to bidders. During the process the team answered all clarification questions from bidders quickly and clearly, which was crucial to keeping to the tight timescales of the project. After the initial stages, the project board decided, after careful consideration, to continue to negotiation and the final tender stage. This decision proved very successful as the requirements and priorities of the Authority were clearly outlined to bidders in meetings leading to large improvements in the final tenders. In summary, the whole RBKC team has worked extremely hard the past year, in tough circumstances, to ensure the best solution for the Authority. We have very much enjoyed working with such a dedicated and hardworking team and wish RBKC and the Friends all the best for the new contract.”

Bids were anonymous in the documentation and were scored against 21 criteria. Of all the competitive tenders, idverde had the highest score and have been awarded the contract. This decision was approved by the RBKC Leadership Team on 9 December 2020. It was also agreed that idverde should renew its various leases in connection with the parks, including the lease for the plant nursery in Holland Park.

What happens next?  Well, it is not just more of the same. The new contract includes greater emphasis on horticulture, social value, carbon reduction, biodiversity, community engagement and technology. Different performance standards have been set to provide more clarity for all. There will be an additional post for a training and community manager and an enhanced volunteer programme. The new contract starts on 1 April 2021.

Ben Binnell, idverde’s contract director said: ‘We are delighted to have been awarded the Kensington and Chelsea contract. It was the toughest bid that I have been involved with and I look forward to many years of protecting the green assets on behalf of Kensington and Chelsea residents and appropriately improving the biodiversity and maintenance of these.’

Jennie Kettlewell

Photo by idverde

[Spring 2021]

 The parks management contract, held by idverde expires on 31 March 2021. The Council was required to put the contract out to tender, and followed a rigorous procurement process that invited and assessed competitive tenders. This twelve-month process was designed to establish which contractor offered the best parks maintenance service, both in terms of quality and value for money. The contract covers 90 parks and green spaces in the borough and is for horticultural work, grass cutting, path sweeping, general cleaning, sports bookings and a number of other services.

The procurement process started with public consultation, to which some of The Friends contributed, and proceeded through three stages, with bidders’ detailed responses to the brief at each stage. The procurement team read some 600+ pages of documents per stage. This team was made up of specialists in relevant disciplines: parks management, law, insurance, sustainability, finance, communications and procurement, as well as a representative of The Friends on behalf of borough park users. Eunomia, specialists in procurement, provided independent oversight to ensure the whole exercise was robust and fair.

 Tessa Lee of Eunomia reported that: “The procurement process, using the Competitive Procedure with Negotiation procedure, is one of the most robust and detailed we have run for a grounds maintenance contract. Monica Castelino (RBKC Parks Manager) and the team put in a huge amount of work ensuring the initial documents were well written and the requirements conveyed clearly to bidders. During the process the team answered all clarification questions from bidders quickly and clearly, which was crucial to keeping to the tight timescales of the project. After the initial stages, the project board decided, after careful consideration, to continue to negotiation and the final tender stage. This decision proved very successful as the requirements and priorities of the Authority were clearly outlined to bidders in meetings leading to large improvements in the final tenders. In summary, the whole RBKC team has worked extremely hard the past year, in tough circumstances, to ensure the best solution for the Authority. We have very much enjoyed working with such a dedicated and hardworking team and wish RBKC and the Friends all the best for the new contract.”

Bids were anonymous in the documentation and were scored against 21 criteria. Of all the competitive tenders, idverde had the highest score and have been awarded the contract. This decision was approved by the RBKC Leadership Team on 9 December 2020. It was also agreed that idverde should renew its various leases in connection with the parks, including the lease for the plant nursery in Holland Park.

What happens next?  Well, it is not just more of the same. The new contract includes greater emphasis on horticulture, social value, carbon reduction, biodiversity, community engagement and technology. Different performance standards have been set to provide more clarity for all. There will be an additional post for a training and community manager and an enhanced volunteer programme. The new contract starts on 1 April 2021.

Ben Binnell, idverde’s contract director said: ‘We are delighted to have been awarded the Kensington and Chelsea contract. It was the toughest bid that I have been involved with and I look forward to many years of protecting the green assets on behalf of Kensington and Chelsea residents and appropriately improving the biodiversity and maintenance of these.’

Jennie Kettlewell

Photo by idverde

 Albert Schweitzer said: ‘Never say there is nothing beautiful in the world anymore. There is always something to make you wonder, in the shape of a tree, the trembling of a leaf.’  So many of us value the wonderful trees we have in Holland Park, from the leafy shade of the woodlands, to the exotic species dotted all over the park. We enjoy them now, and must make a huge effort to ensure future generations have the same privilege.

Our woodlands are not ancient, were all planted at the same time, and are ‘wearing out’ at the same time. It is simplistic to say we should just plant more trees. We need an informed plan to guide us on what to remove, what to plant and where to plant it, so that we retain viable habitats for the many species of plants, small mammals, birds, butterflies, insects and amphibians we enjoy in the park. We also need to think about trees that will survive and thrive in our changing, yo-yo climate.

The Future of our Woodlands
 Albert Schweitzer said: ‘Never say there is nothing beautiful in the world anymore. There is always something to make you wonder, in the shape of a tree, the trembling of a leaf.’  So many of us value the wonderful trees we have in Holland Park, from the leafy shade of the woodlands, to the exotic species dotted all over the park. We enjoy them now, and must make a huge effort to ensure future generations have the same privilege.

Our woodlands are not ancient, were all planted at the same time, and are ‘wearing out’ at the same time. It is simplistic to say we should just plant more trees. We need an informed plan to guide us on what to remove, what to plant and where to plant it, so that we retain viable habitats for the many species of plants, small mammals, birds, butterflies, insects and amphibians we enjoy in the park. We also need to think about trees that will survive and thrive in our changing, yo-yo climate.

The first stage is to carry out a thorough assessment of the ecological value of the woodland habitat, within each woodland enclosure, and for the woodlands as a whole. The Friends have agreed to fund a detailed survey of habitat classification, structure and composition, including a drone survey. Where possible, findings will be classified in accordance with National Vegetation types, with consideration of suitability to support appropriate flora and fauna. The project will take place this spring, because it is the best time to establish what ‘indicator’ plants are present, i.e. plants that help determine what will grow best in the area. It is also the best time to discover invasive species that might hijack the habitat if not dealt with. Together with updated species surveys (bird, bat, wildflower etc.), this will provide a sound context for the next stage, a Woodland Management Plan, which gives a structured guide to planning and organising the sustainable management of our woodlands.

That would be a significant achievement and is a good reason for The Friends to fund the project.

Did you know?

During the pandemic trees apparently grew faster than usual. Scientists think it might be something to do with lower pollution levels due to reduced traffic during the Covid-19 lockdown. Little hard information is available, but no doubt someone will follow up with research, and we hope to hear more.

Text & photos Jennie Kettlewell

[Spring 2021]

The first stage is to carry out a thorough assessment of the ecological value of the woodland habitat, within each woodland enclosure, and for the woodlands as a whole. The Friends have agreed to fund a detailed survey of habitat classification, structure and composition, including a drone survey. Where possible, findings will be classified in accordance with National Vegetation types, with consideration of suitability to support appropriate flora and fauna. The project will take place this spring, because it is the best time to establish what ‘indicator’ plants are present, i.e. plants that help determine what will grow best in the area. It is also the best time to discover invasive species that might hijack the habitat if not dealt with. Together with updated species surveys (bird, bat, wildflower etc.), this will provide a sound context for the next stage, a Woodland Management Plan, which gives a structured guide to planning and organising the sustainable management of our woodlands.

That would be a significant achievement and is a good reason for The Friends to fund the project.

Did you know?

During the pandemic trees apparently grew faster than usual. Scientists think it might be something to do with lower pollution levels due to reduced traffic during the Covid-19 lockdown. Little hard information is available, but no doubt someone will follow up with research, and we hope to hear more.

Text & photos Jennie Kettlewell

[Spring 2021]

Dawn Chorus Bird Walk. Sat. 24 April.

Led by professional ornithologist, David Darrell-Lambert. Learn why birds sing and how to identify common species by their songs and calls. Please bring a pair of binoculars.

Meet 5 am in Abbotsbury Road Car Park, Holland Park.  Finish 7 am.

Booking essential.

Spring Botany Walk. Thurs. 29 April.

Led by expert botanist, Dr Mark Spencer. Improve your identification skills and expand your knowledge of a range of wild plants.

Meet 6 pm at the Holland Park Ecology Centre. Finish 7.30 pm.

Booking essential.

Spring Bat Walk. Wed. 5 May.

Led by an expert from the London Bat Group. Find bats in Holland Park to learn more about their life cycle and how we can help their conservation. Bat detectors provided, but please bring a torch with you.

Meet 8.30 pm at the Holland Park Ecology Centre. Finish 10 pm.

Booking essential. The event is free, but donations to the London Bat Group are welcome.

[Spring 2021]

Russell Mack

We are sad to report the death of Russell Mack last December. Russell was a quiet and private person, so members might have known his pottery better than the man.  He exhibited in every one of our art exhibitions from 2010, and always sold well. In 2012, against fierce competition, he won the 3D prize for ‘Dancers’, a ceramic platter hand formed with pressed and carved marks, which the judge, Isabel Langtry, considered to show a very high standard of work. In 2014 Alison Beckett said his work stood out for the unusual shapes, and in 2017 Isabel Langtry commended his work as skilful and alluring. Your secretary succumbed to the allure one year, as this picture taken in her living room shows. The Friends are grateful that he used his skills to support the park, and our sympathy goes to his friends and family.

Text and photo: Rhoddy Wood

[Spring 2021]

Forthcoming Events 2021

Ecology Service Talks

Funded by The Friends

Dates and subjects have been planned and, if Covid-19 restrictions prevent them from taking place in person, the gap will be filled with a series of on-line talks. The events below are funded by The Friends, and this allows participation at no cost.

New! Leaf Identification Workshops on-line.

Over six weeks Bettina Metcalfe, a tree expert, will help us learn how to recognise and identify commonly planted park tree species through using their leaves as the main diagnostic feature. She will cover a mixture of native and ornamental tree species, all of which can be found in Holland Park. Workshops start at 6.30 pm on the following Tuesdays and last for one hour:

11, 18 and 25 May.   1, 8 and 15 June.

Booking essential. Please e-mail ecology.centre@rbkc.gov.uk and you will be sent the link.

Summer Tree Walk: The Basics.

Thurs. 17 June. Led by one of the Ecology Team, this walk gives a basic introduction to some of the native tree species found in Holland Park. We will use leaves, bark and fruit to identify trees at family and species level.

Meet 6.30 pm at the Holland Park Ecology Centre. Finish 8 pm.

Booking essential.

These walks and talks are aimed at an adult audience, but keen and interested children over 10 are welcome when accompanied by an adult. Please do not bring dogs to these events as they might scare off wildlife.

To book events please e-mail ecology.centre@rbkc.gov.uk or call 020 7938 8186. Check the website www.rbkc.gov.uk/ecology for up-to-date information.

[Spring 2021]

Those of you who use your membership cards to receive discounts when shopping with some of our Friends and Neighbours, might have noticed that the end of February is when your card expires. A new one is enclosed with this newsletter if our records show that you have paid your subscription for 2021. Your order form will be white.  All subscriptions were due on 1st January except for those who joined after 1st September 2020. If we think you have not yet paid, there will be no membership card, and your order form will be green with a standing order form on the back. Over 600 of our members use standing orders as it means they never have to remember again, and it helps our treasurer too.

Or you can pay using our website www.thefriendsofhollandpark.org or post a cheque, payable to The Friends of Holland Park, to Graham Franklin, 19 Campden Hill Gardens, London W8 7AX.

Current minimum rates are £12, or £9 for the over 65s, with joint subscriptions available for two people at the same address for £20, or £15 where both are over 65.  You will agree that these are very moderate sums, but we keep them low to enable all to join. Our records are not infallible, so do contact Graham on 07802 761 548 or ggfranklin3@aol.com if you have a query.

However you pay, we are most grateful for your support, as it gives us clout in all our dealings with the Borough and other bodies.

Rhoddy Wood

[Spring 2021]