Ken Greenway, Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park Manager, writes:
The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park are running some exciting new events this spring, with evening walks looking at wildlife in various parts of Tower Hamlets, and a course teaching you all about how to identify and grow wildflowers. All these events are free, though donations are always welcome. Advance booking is essential. Spaces book up quickly, but it’s worth joining the waiting list as people do cancel.
Please wear weather appropriate clothes and closed shoes (no sandals/flip flops/crocs). Bring your own snacks and drinks. Do not attend any of these events if you or a member of your household have COVID-19 symptoms. Please check your symptoms before attending.
Evening Neighbourhood Walks
Tuesdays – 6-8pm: May 3rd, 17th, 31st, June 14th, 28th, and July 12th.
These walks are for those who just want a pleasant stroll, looking at wildlife, especially wildflowers. And they’re for those who want to look at how green areas, large and small, might be improved for wildlife, and perhaps get involved in practical efforts to improve and care for them. There is no charge for these walks, but donations are welcomed.
Walk 1: May 3, 6-8pm Mile End Park South and the Regents Canal. Meet at Gunmakers Arms Bridge, Solebay Street E1 4PG.
Walk 2: May 17, 6-8pm Millwall Park and Mudchute. Meet at Millwall Park entrance adjoining Island Gardens Station, near the corner of Manchester Road and Stebondale Street E14 3DQ.
Walk 3: May 31, 6-8pm Stepney Green Park, St. Dunstan’s Churchyard and Shandy Park. Meet at Stepney Green Park entrance at junction of Stepney Way and Wellesley Street E1 3DX.
Walk 4: June 14, 6-8pm Swedenborg Gardens, St. George-in-the-East Gardens and King Edward Memorial Park. Meet at the Wellclose Square E1 8JJ entrance to Swedenborg Gardens.
Walk 5: June 28, 6-8pm Twelvetrees Crescent to Fairfoot Wood, via Jefferson Plaza, Devas Street Raingardens, Prospect Park and Rounton Park. Meet at Bow Community Hub E3 3QB (a short walk from Bromley-by-Bow station).
Walk 6: July 12, 6-8pm Mile End Park North: Solebay Street Bridge to Wennington Green. Meet at Gunmakers Arms Bridge, Solebay Street E1 4PG
For more information and to book a place on one of the walks, please visit the Ticket Tailor website.
Know & Grow Wildflowers
A free, fortnightly, five-session course at the Soanes Centre, Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park E3 4PX. Saturdays, 10am-1pm. May 14th & 28th, June 11th & 25th and July 9th
The course is aimed at people who want to “make a difference” to public green space, including parks, social housing greenspace, and any other public or semi-public greenspace. Encouraging wildflowers and therefore the wildlife they sustain is an important part of that. Prior knowledge is not a requisite.
The course will familiarize you with many kinds of wildflower, their wildlife values, and how to persuade them to grow. It will also show how you might help to improve public open space, without necessarily taking on long term responsibility, by a partnership with Tower Hamlets Parks or a social landlord.
Priority will be given to people living, or working on greenspace, in Tower Hamlets. Others are welcome to apply, but may have a delay before confirmation.
For more information and to book a place on the course, please visit the Ticket Tailor website.
Header photo: annual wildflowers (Ken Greenway)
