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BARN HILL CONSERVATION GROUP
Registered Charity No. 1085476
 ‘Keeping in Touch’
Issue 52 – December 2011 

Walled Garden
As the existing arches overhanging the rose walkway were beginning to lean over, we decided on a grand redesign. Graham was given the job of designing a pergola stretching along the rose beds and capable of supporting the climbing roses. The building of the pergola has now been completed as part of in a big team effort. Much of the work took place outside our normal opening hours such was the enthusiasm for this project. Thanks to Graham for his design and building work, and to Dennis and Geoff for completing the job, and for their building expertise and hard work during the construction.

We have also started replanting the rose beds along the walkway and elsewhere. So far we have replanted 50 roses. We have also installed a bird bath and sun dial.

All these three items were from donations given separately in memory of Peter Gallop and Mrs Ghouse.

We have gained a ‘Thriving’ certificate from the Royal Horticultural Society – ‘It’s your neighbourhood’ scheme. This is a non-competitive award in which 2100 communities across Britain take part.

Bernard

Fryent Country Park
Our Sunday team has worked all around the Park since September from Bush Farm, Cowlays, Gotfords Hill, and Little Hillcroach. All ancient names of our meadows, used since at least 1597 – as on the Hovingdon map of that date.

We had a very successful project in September with the SEWA organisation when 61 volunteers worked on clearing the main fish pond at the top of Barn Hill, and surrounding grassland and paths. Once the paths were cleared we were able to link paths to the glade half way down the slope.

We have started to clear the Green Lane, an ancient footway which can still be identified, which separates Mason’s field from the main body of the Park. At the end of November we planted 2000 Wild Daffodils on the mound alongside Fryent Way.
Geoff has also painted the white trig point, a landmark familiar to all at the top of Barn Hill.

Kim

Unseasonal Brown Rustic moth  in Middlesex
On 22 September I tested a newly acquired moth trap (a collapsible 15W actinic ‘Heath type’ moth trap) and carried out a trial of it in Mason’s field. As it was a test event and a little chilly we only trapped for 30 minutes, from 8.00pm. We trapped one Square-spot Rustic Xestia xanthographa, two Tachystola acroxantha (new for me and the Fryent Country Park list) and a noctuid. I initially identified this as a Deep-brown Dart Aporophyla lutulenta due to the season and presence of a few small whitish marks on each leading edge.  On checking with the official moth recorder for Herts and Middlesex this moth was revealed to be a Brown Rustic Rusina ferruginea, which flies from late May to mid-July. A record from 22 September was most unexpected, but does seem to fit a pattern of other unseasonal moths in the autumn of 2011. 

Debbie

Following on from Debbie’s report - A brimstome butterfly was recorded on 13 November near the willow maze where we have planted a number of alder buckthorns – their food plant. This must be a record for such a late sighting.

Kim

Impressions of a new volunteer
I love the great outdoors, the chance to get out into and interact with nature. Well, we don’t have to go too far from home for that. We have the pleasure of Fryent Country Park and Roe Green Walled Garden on our doorstep, two beautiful spaces among the many in London.

Fryent Country Park is a slice of the countryside in London. What a delight. The Walled Garden is equally delightful but altogether different. Tucked away in a hidden part of Roe Green Park and quite secret to be happened upon by those in the know. Or by the explorers among us.  It is refreshingly curious with its home made non-manufactured feel and with everything hand made from the finest yet simple material, it is endearing and enchanting. A little treasure.

I don’t know if it could have been found in any other part of the borough other than Kingsbury with its seemingly out of place splashes of authentic ye olde England, surrounded by suburbia.. I would not be surprised therefore if it could get a Grade 2 listing and taken into ownership by the National Trust, preserved for the nation and posterity. 

Viv 

And finally …..
Our volunteers work hard but we also enjoy a bit of fun and don’t take life too seriously. Rose could not resist taking a ride on a toy tractor:

We are open at Roe Green Walled Garden Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 am to 2pm. Sundays we are out in Fryent Country Park from 10 am to 12.30 pm carrying out conservation project work. Our new programme of projects will start again in January. Please see the web site for details, or telephone the Garden. Feel free to join us in our conservation projects at Fryent Country Park or Roe Green Walled Garden. Training and Refreshments are provided. A free Green Gym at your disposal!

We are now collecting old pottery garden pots and old keys for a mosaic. We collect scrap metal such as copper, brass, aluminium,
including aluminium cans, which help in fund raising.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Next General Meeting Saturday 28 January 2012 at 10.30 am
Contact numbers:  Garden 0208 206 0492 (answerphone if we are unable to answer)