As someone who’s old enough to remember Playschool, I was gutted to miss meeting Floella Benjamin when she dropped in to Lee Green yesterday in support of Pete’s campaign to become our next MP.

Floella met up with Pete, Pauline, Chris and other Lib Dem candidates and visit the Manor House Library and Manor House Gardens.

Though Christmas might seem a long way off now (particularly if you’ve got lots of shopping still to do!), this time next week, it’ll all be over and the Council will be launching their Christmas Tree recycling facilities!

You’ll be able to drop your old (real!) tree at Manor House Gardens (Old Road entrance) from 27th December until the last week of January during park opening hours.

Your tree will be chipped and used as mulch in parks around the borough.  

The pic on the right shows the Lee Green Christmas Tree mountain back in January 2007.

Regular users of Manor House Gardens will know there was an outbreak of botulism in the pond in late July, which sadly killed much of the wildlife there.  At last week’s Full Council meeting, I asked the relevant cabinet member for an update, and I’ve posted her reply below:

“During July this year a number of ponds and lakes in south east London, including the Tarn at Eltham, were affected by Avian Botulism, a bacteria that can kill wildfowl. Although the source of the outbreak was not Lewisham the lake at Manor House Gardens was affected. The disease can be spread by the wildfowl, often on their feet, into new ponds and lakes. Hot weather raises the water temperature which makes the silt temperature rise in turn giving the bacteria a better environment for it to multiply. This was compounded by the low water levels, due to lack of rain, and the unfortunate malfunction of the fountain which helps to aerate the lake. The lake is oxygenated by means of an aerator overnight and repairs were made to the pump to ensure the fountain was in working order.

I am aware that the outbreak caused great distress, not only for the wildfowl but for users of the gardens. The outbreak has raised the importance of checking the water quality on a regular basis, checking levels and reducing the amount of bread fed to the birds which exacerbates the problem. With this in mind we have focussed publicity on offering healthier options for the wildfowl such as grains, duck pellets and even defrosted frozen peas.

The outbreak has also raised the importance of good communications, both between Glendale’s site staff and management, Glendale and the Council and Glendale and the Park Users Group.

I am pleased to say that the lake has now recovered, and wildfowl have returned. The fountain is working and the aerator remains in operation overnight when the fountain is turned off for noise reasons. My officers will ensure that the condition of all ponds and lakes in our parks and open spaces are checked on a weekly basis during forthcoming summers, and daily during very warm conditions.”

Next Tuesday night, Glendale have organised a guided bat walk around Manor House Gardens in conjunction with the London Wildlife Trust. 

The walk will take place from 8.30pm until 9.30pm and will be led by a bat expert from the Wildlife Trust.  You can learn more about these fascinating nocturnal mammals and listen to bats using electronic bat detectors.   Places are free, but you need to book in advance. 

You can book by calling Glendale on 8318 3986 or emailing lara.al-jabi {at} glendale-services.co(.)uk

Hopefully see you there!

ps. Small milestone – this is post number 250 on this blog!

Yesterday’s local assembly in the park went really well.  Fantastic weather, a great turn out and lots of good stuff going on. 

But don’t take my word for it – see for yourself with my latest attempt at YouTube!

Cross your fingers that the good weather keeps up*, because on Saturday 4th July we’re holding the next Lee Green Local Assembly in the park!

From 11am until 2pm in Manor House Gardens, we’ll be there to update you on the assembly priorities (youth provision, parking, the environment and the state of the Leegate Centre). 

There’ll also be entertainment from Northbrook School – who have promised us a choir and cheerleaders.   In addition, local groups have also been invited to have stalls at the event.

This isn’t a formal assembly meeting, so do feel free to drop by anytime between 11am and 2pm on Saturday.

*There’ll be a marquee, so like Wimbledon, we’re fully prepared for rain!