'Walk off the wine' - Annual New Year walk
Blow away those festive cobwebs. Join Trevor Morris on a brisk walk to see all 12 sections of Wandsworth Common, with a bit of heritage and biodiversity information thrown in for good measure. 10,000 steps guaranteed. About 4 miles in 2 hours. E-mail for joining details
Big Woodland Litter Pick
At this time of year we give the Scope and other woodland areas a good spring clean before the bird nesting season begins and we avoid disturbing this area. If you’d like to take part e-mail litterati@wandsworthcommon.org
The Secret Life of Wild Bees
We all know a honeybee when we see one, but do you have any idea how many wild bees live on the Common and in your garden? Local resident and solitary bee fan Ben Smith will talk about his experience monitoring bees on the Common and in his garden, including tips on how to attract and find them. All the pictures shown are Ben's and include (clockwise) the ashy mining bee, the common carder and the hairy footed flower bee. Watch out for the last one on your daffs!! Our newly planted wildflower patch aims to attract more bees and butterflies.
Naturescop 7pm, register for details at info@wandsworthcommon.org
Tales from the Fitzhugh Estate
A listed 1950s estate on the edge of the Common, in 21st century lockdown.
A talk by resident Sharon O’Neill who was also picture editor for ‘The Wandsworth Common Story’
Learn about the architecture, the history and the people who live there. Sharon will be joined by Karly Olsen-Haviland, chair of the residents’ association
register with info@wandsworthcommon.org
Wandsworth's Biodiversity with Annabel Osborn
Join Annabel Osborn, Parks Operations Manager for Enable, to hear about the implementation of Wandsworth’s Biodiversity Strategy and it’s impact on Wandsworth’s greenspaces. More relaxed mowing regimes, rewilding, new planting to create habitat, priority species, planning for climate change resilience. What’s been done and what’s to come?
Naturescope - register for details at info@wandsworthcommon.org
Big Woodland Litter Pick
At this time of year we give the Scope and other woodland areas a good spring clean before the bird nesting season begins and we avoid disturbing this area. If you’d like to take part e-mail litterati@wandsworthcommon.org
Turf Wars Part II: How sport re-shaped the Common
Join Philip Boys for more heritage stories - a continuation of his November talk about the Common’s colourful sporting past - prodigious hopping achievements, bare knuckle fighting, hare-and-hounds, stag-hunts, sparrow-shoots, ice skating, pedestrianism, quoits, velocipide racing, etc etc - AND how it all radically reshaped the Common
To register, subject to availability, e-mail history@wandsworthcommon.org
'Walk off the wine' - Annual New Year walk
Blow away those festive cobwebs. Join Trevor Morris on a brisk walk to see all 12 sections of Wandsworth Common, with a bit of heritage and biodiversity information thrown in for good measure. 10,000 steps guaranteed. About 4 miles in 2 hours. E-mail for joining details
Regular volunteering sessions
Join us every third Tuesday of the month at 9.30 to volunteer for some outdoor work on the Common. Sign up to our mailing list at info@wandsworthcommon.org and we’ll send details ahead of each session. There will be a variety of tasks ranging from light to heavy so that tasks assigned can be tailored to the ability of individual volunteers. All equipment provided.
Volunteer whip planting
Come and help us plant a new area of mini-forest - a new habitat for biodiversity, a wildlife corridor and an anti pollution green screen. Bring your own gloves and a trowel if you have them
Meet at the top of Northside/Spencer Park, by the South Circular. Refreshments provided.
Volunteer whip planting
Come and help us plant a new area of mini-forest - a new habitat for biodiversity, a wildlife corridor and an anti pollution green screen. Bring your own gloves and a trowel if you have them
Meet at the top of Northside/Spencer Park, by the South Circular. Refreshments provided.
Turf Wars: How sport re-shaped the Common
Join Philip Boys for more heritage stories - this time about the Common’s colourful sporting past - prodigious hopping achievements, bare knuckle fighting, hare-and-hounds, stag-hunts, sparrow-shoots, ice skating, pedestrianism, quoits, velocipide racing, etc etc - AND how it all radically reshaped the Common
To register, subject to availability, e-mail history@wandsworthcommon.org
Nick Rutter bird walk
Led by local birder Nick Rutter. For joining details etc contact info@wandsworthcommon.org
Space is very limited. Wear suitable footwear and clothing for the conditions. No dogs please as they tend to frighten off the birds. Well-behaved and interested children welcome. Please advise if you need binos
Another carve up! How the Common was reshaped by the railways
Local historian Dr Sue Demont tells the controversial story of the mutilation of Wandsworth Common caused by the coming of the railways in the 19th century.
Venue: Naturescope Centre
Booking details from history@wandsworthcommon.org
Regular volunteering sessions
Join us every third Tuesday of the month at 9.30 to volunteer for some outdoor work on the Common. Sign up to our mailing list at info@wandsworthcommon.org and we’ll send details ahead of each session. There will be a variety of tasks ranging from light to heavy so that tasks assigned can be tailored to the ability of individual volunteers. All equipment provided.
The Black Sea
Local historian, Philip Boys, presents another in our series of Heritage talks. Hear the fascinating history of this picturesque Victorian ornamental lake on Northside - an intriguing story of drownings, rat catchers, candle makers and much more!
Venue: Naturescope Centre.
Booking information from history@wandsworthcommon.org
The Joyful Environmentalist
Join Isabel Losada, local author, actor and environmentalist, to hear all the ways you can live a greener lifestyle and ENJOY it. Part of our contribution to the Great Big Green week.
E-mail for details
Great Big Green day
Join us at St Mary’s Balham to join in environmentally focussed activities and learning, with a host of green focussed groups
Bat walk
The last of our season’s bat walks, led by Iain Boulton of the London Bat Group. Watch and identify the bats as they emerge at dusk, near the lake.
info@wandsworthcommon.org
Wildflower Walk on the Common
Join Roy Vickery for a stroll to see the wildflowers on the Common
Full details from info@wandsworthcommon.org
Buckmaster Day
A walk to celebrate the anniversary of the signing of the Wandsworth Common Act on July 31st 1871
Details to be announced
East Side Story
Local historian Dr Sue Demont reprises her successful virtual talk along Bolingbroke Grove, taking in some of the sites and stories featured in ‘The Wandsworth Common Story’. This time it’s for real though.
From the cradle to the grave - maternity hospital, schools, churches and burial grounds
Joining details from history@wandsworthcommon.org
Wildflower Walk on the Common
Join Roy Vickery for a stroll to see the wildflowers on the Prison Banks
Full details from info@wandsworthcommon.org
Biodiversity walk
A walk led by Enable’s biodiversity officer - Mick Green - to explain how the Common is being managed to improve the Common’s biodiversity.
Space strictly limited, with priority given to members of the Friends
MAC Annual Public Meeting
The Annual Public Meeting of the Wandsworth Common Management Advisory Committee (the MAC).
Your chance to hear from and question the people responsible for managing Wandsworth’s greenspaces - Enable, Continental Landscapes, the Parks Police.
To find out more email MAC@wandsworthcommon.org
Tree Walk
Join Liam Hutton, one of Enable’s four Tree Officers, to discover some of the interesting trees just a stone’s throw from the middle of the Common.
Space limited so be sure to register info@wandsworthcommon.org
A History of Trinity Fields
Part of Wandsworth Common until 1852 and since protected by a covenant, and used for sport since 1877, this talk by Graham Jackson explores the famous clubs and personalities who have used the ground and its social history and future
Venue - NatureScope Centre
Booking required – history@wandsworthcommon.org
Butterfly Walk
Join Richard and Laila Tillet as they explore the butterfly activity on the Common. The summer emergence is just beginning so a great opportunity to spot some of the 23 species of butterfly to be found on the Common. They’ll also be looking for day flying moths and eggs.
Space very limited
Walk: ‘We still have time to finish the game’ – the bowling clubs of Wandsworth Common
A Wandsworth Heritage Festival event
The ancient game of bowls has long been a feature of life on Wandsworth Common. This walk will explore the history of the game and visit the four local bowling clubs still active today. There may even be an opportunity to try your hand at the game itself
FREE
• Meeting point: Outside the Skylark Café (beside the John Buckmaster green plaque), Wandsworth Common, SW18 3RT
• Booking required - contact history@wandsworthcommon.org
Bat walk
The first of our season’s bat walks, led by Iain Boulton of the London Bat Group. Watch and identify the bats as they emerge at dusk, near the lake.
info@wandsworthcommon.org