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Slowing the flow - OXLEAS WOODS. With Thames21. Reducing run-off rates on Shooters Hill and making biodiversity improvements.Just over the border in Greenwich, so may be of interest to 'BW' followers.
15 events involving the construction of leaky dams to hold back water, and dead hedges in eroded areas to protect and encourage the recovery of the woodland understory.
29th and 30th Sept fully booked. You can opt to join a waiting list.
Places available at further events from Thursday 1st Oct through to 25th of March.
Led by Charlie Southard.
Advance booking essential (planning / event management / safety / sufficient equipment):
book.plinth.org.uk/e/9TPs7t51MkYdlQFqEbKm
Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Slowing the Flow: Oxleas Woods
book.plinth.org.uk
<p><strong>Join us to turn Oxleas Woods into a flood-fighting, biodiversity-boosting powerhouse!</strong></p><p><br></p><p>This winter, join us for 15 fun and hands-on volunteer events as we transform...
Climate Change Film. LESNES ABBEY RUINS LODGE. Weds November 11th 19.00-20.30After the drought and prolonged heat waves this year, the woods and all of us are grateful that we have had some rain.
Whether you believe that Climate Change is caused by human beings or just a natural phenomenon, one fact is undeniable - the planet is getting warmer.
We will be showing a film produced by the National Emergency Briefing that explains what is happening and what we can do to minimise its impact.
Tickets are Free and can be booked here. Note that it is not recommended for those under 16 but has a BBFC rating of 12+. Any children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
www.ticketsource.com/folaw/
NORTH WEST KENT COUNTRYSIDE PARTNERSHIP - habitat management sessions in Bexley during October.Wednesday 7th – Gattons Plantation Pond, Cocksure Lane, Sidcup
We will be clearing bramble and laurel and cutting down small trees around the pond along with removing non native snowberry plants that are growing along Cocksure Lane. Brushcutter operators maybe required for this task.
Led by: Nina Skinner (07816128553)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am, at the yard at Trosley Country Park or 10am if meeting on site. There is a small bay/passing area before the entrance gate to the site in which a few cars can park otherwise parking may need to be found along Cocksure Lane and other residential roads nearby.
maps.app.goo.gl/KLsPeRMYW2pJGgfn6
What3words parking spot: ///liver.blues.worked
What3words entrance: ///jump.cheek.wicked
Wednesday 28th – St Mary’s Churchyard, Manor Road, Bexley, DA5 3LX
We will be cutting the grass on site and raking. Brushcutter operators will be needed.
Led by: Lucy Sawyer-Boyd (07809334071)
Meeting Time and Place: 10am, at the churchyard (black gates at end of Manor Road). There is limited parking on site but parking usually ok in hall car park next door. There are no facilities on site but the toilet at the hall next door is often available.
goo.gl/maps/2Czb3X9qMs6KcPLg9
What3words: Meeting point = ///sheep.buzz.codes
Entrance gate = ///sushi.mole.washed
Just a quick reminder that any volunteers who plan to meet us on site should let the member of staff leading the task know as soon as possible so that they can pack the correct number of tools and inform them of any task changes/delays that may occur.
If there are any updates or changes with the programme, we will update it regularly on the volunteer page on our website (www.nwkcp.org ). We will also contact the regular volunteers by phone if any last-minute changes to the location of the task happen.
Please remember to bring with you; suitable clothes for the weather conditions, a packed lunch and suitable footwear (we insist working boots with steel toecap and mid sole are worn at all times to comply with health and safety and insurance considerations). We will supply all other equipment, gloves and safety equipment and also hot drinks and biscuits throughout the day.
Each project will be led by a NWKCP member of staff who will be more than happy to answer any questions that you have throughout the day. A health and safety talk will also be given at the beginning of each project. If you are planning to come out on a project for the first time this month then please let us know beforehand which day that will be.
We write a risk assessment for each task day, and a copy of this will be brought to the site and available for you to read if you wish.
FRIENDS OF THE CRAY AT CRAYFORD - litter clearance along Footpath 106. Friday 2nd October from 10 a.m.Join the FotCaC team to clear up the riverside footpath running downstream from Crayford town centre to Barnes Cray Road.
Equipment provided. Wear work clothes. Bring any food and drink required.
Meet at the junction of Barnes Cray Road and FP106.
HELP RECORD WILDLIFE AT LESNES ABBEY WOODSIn 2025, the National Lottery Heritage Fund funded the Lesnes 500 project to recreate and commemorate the book, ‘British Woodlands as illustrated by Lessness Abbey Wood’ for its 100th anniversary,
The London biodiversity records centre and Site Manager Ian Holt are keen to see any visitors, and people of all levels of wildlife knowledge, adding to the pool of records for this project.
Ffi: www.gigl.org.uk/2026/09/17/get-lesnes-abbey-savvy/
Recording scheme:
www.cognitoforms.com/GiGL2/LesnesAbbeyWoodsWildlifeSurvey
Lesnes Abbey Woods Wildlife Survey
www.cognitoforms.com
Author Archives: Chris Rose
Ruxley team strengthens link with other local conservation groups
The Ruxley Gravel Pits Nature reserve team, which works at this SSSI on the River Cray just over the border in Bromley, hosted a visit to the site by members of other hands-on conservation groups on Tuesday 8th December to … Continue reading
Posted in Ruxley Gravel Pits
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Ruxley workparty opens up wet areas
Although Sunday 5th December turned out unseasonably warm the volunteer numbers were slightly down. We divided into two parties working from different sides of the nature reserve, pushing back brambles and buddleia to open up the wet areas. The plan is to meet … Continue reading
What makes Crossness and the surrounding area special? – an illustrated summary
Crossness Nature Reserve Site Manager Karen Sutton has put together the following timely document summarising why the site, and the rest of what little is now left of Erith Marshes – including fields on the eastern boundary, now threatened by … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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Save our Skylarks ! String of marshland sites under renewed threat.
SAVE OUR SKYLARKS – DON’T LET THE COUNCIL BOOT THEM OUT OF BEXLEY! The future of the Skylark as a breeding bird in Bexley, and the survival of the Corn Bunting both here and in London as a whole – … Continue reading
Wren captures Water Rail
Wren Rose has obtained a night-time shot of one of Thames Road Wetland’s elusive Water Rails, in the process of using a motion sensor-triggered Trailcam to try and get film of the site’s equally shy Water Voles. The difficulty we … Continue reading
Posted in Bird watching, Recording, Thames Road Wetland
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Braeburn Park (LWT reserve): report of November 13th workday
Seven volunteers faced a massive task, heavy showers and sunny spells and a huge 50′ x 4′ high pile of brush to burn through; as well as opening up of the south facing sloping banks, to allow in good sunlight … Continue reading
FotS team clears 41 sacks of rubbish from in and around Danson lake
A big thanks to everyone who turned out in absolutely awful weather yesterday (November 14th) to help clean up the lake. We collected 41 bags of rubbish which was a great result! Here is a photo of our rather, damp – but … Continue reading
Posted in Danson Park, Friends of the Shuttle, Litter, Volunteering
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Councillor Craske, just how important do you think our SINCS are?
As previously reported on ‘BW’ we still don’t have an actual date, or even a target date, for Bexley Council to sign-off the Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation review, despite a written reply on the matter from Community Safety, Environment and Leisure … Continue reading
Councillor Craske sets SINC deadline – sort of
Councillor Craske’s written response to last week’s full Council question as to the deadline for signing of the Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation Review (draft published Dec 2013, deadline for comments on that was way back on Feb 2014), … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley Council, development threat, Land sales, Open spaces, Planning, SINC
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Carry on coppicing – Ruxley team thins out Willows
Remembrance Sunday turned out to be a good day for the working party at Ruxley Gravel Pits Nature Reserve. The water levels were unexpectedly low despite some heavy rains during the week. The nine volunteers got stuck into hacking back the saplings which … Continue reading