Roslin Way Allotments Open Day September 9th

RHS Garden Wisley is under threat

Anyone who loves trees and the environment (and we know that many of you do) should sign this petition, although the junction of the A3 and the M25 does need to be improved:

sign the petition

We are worried that some potential Highways England plans could cause irreversible damage to Wisley in the future and hope you might help us to protect this very special and much loved place.

As you may be aware, plans are now being finalised to improve the M25 Junction 10 interchange and widen the A3, which is something we support in principle. One of the possibilities being considered by Highways England, in terms of widening the A3 only, could see over 10,000 sq. metres of RHS Garden Wisley grabbed and over 500 trees destroyed.

There are currently two options available to Highways England to widen the A3: one on the east side of the A3 and one on the west.

The RHS has carried out expert highway studies and is calling on the Government Agency to choose the east option, which does not grab woodland from the Garden, would not fell any of these 500 important trees, and would better improve road access to Wisley.

If Highways England decide that widening the west side is the preferred option then irreplaceable historic trees that are over 100 years old, and still have centuries more to live, could be eliminated for a short-sighted road improvement scheme, which would increase air pollution and noise pollution and destroy the habitats of a wide range of wildlife and the beauty of the garden.

Five trees that would potentially be lost are identified as threatened and endangered in cultivation by Plant Heritage’s Threatened Plants Project. Excellent specimens of giant redwood (Sequoiadendron giganteum, pictured below) would also be at risk.

We’re also concerned that some proposals for the A3 would involve additional travel for our visitors to get to Wisley, some adding over 6 kilometres to the journey, which is unacceptable. We need our garden to be as accessible as possible for everyone, especially with our major investment plans to make the garden better than ever before and to welcome more visitors. Therefore more direct access to and from the A3 to Wisley is vital and must also be a key consideration for Highways England as they consider their preferred option to safeguard to future of this very special place, which millions of people enjoy over the years.

If you are also worried about the potential destruction of these 500 beautiful trees and impact this will have on RHS Garden Wisley please show your support and sign our petition:

sign the petition

You could also write to the Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP, Secretary of State for Transport, Department for Transport, Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 4DR and voice your concerns. We have drafted a template letter for you in case that is helpful (click here for template letter), and please feel free to amend as you wish. If you would like to you could also write to your local paper or national newspapers.

CLOSURE OF LONDON TRAIN TERMINALS

CLOSURE OF LONDON TRAIN TERMINALS - SATURDAY 26 AUGUST - SATURDAY 2 SEPTEMBER

In case you’re not aware, there will be no train services running to and from London Bridge, Waterloo East and Charing Cross from Saturday 26th August to Saturday 2nd September inclusive.

Cannon Street will also be closed on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th August.  

Blackfriars will be closed on Monday 28th August and Saturday 2nd September.  

The closures are due to the major engineering works connected to the modernisation of London Bridge.

If you are planning to travel to central London during this period, you are advised to check alternative routes and allow extra time for your journey.  Further information can be found on the National Rail Enquiries website - click here​

Nuisance due to Garden Bonfires

Bromley Council has produced a leaflet called Nuisance from Bonfires
You can click on the link to download it. The main points are shown below:-

What’s wrong with a good old fashioned bonfire?...

A garden bonfire may seem like a practical way of getting rid of garden waste and other rubbish; but they are not usually the most environmentally or neighbour friendly way and most of the waste could be put to better use.

Public Nuisance
Each year Bromley Council receives a considerable number of complaints from residents
affected by smoke and ash from their neighbours garden bonfire. Smoke and ash prevent your neighbours from enjoying their gardens, opening windows and hanging out washing.

Air Pollution
Bonfires add to air pollution and can produce poisonous and irritating gases.

Dangerous
Fire can spread to fences and buildings and also scorch trees and plants.

Legal Position
There are no bye-laws which control the lighting of bonfires - but under The Environmental Protection Act 1990 smoke and ash from a bonfire causing annoyance to neighbours could be an offence rendering the person having the bonfire liable to prosecution.


Bonfire Code

Remember it is not illegal to have a bonfire and there are no local bye-laws preventing
you having one, however you must not cause a nuisance to your neighbours. A smoky
bonfire or having garden bonfires on a frequent basis may well cause a nuisance and
that can be an offence.

So, if you want to have the occasional garden bonfire - you will minimise the effect on
your neighbours by taking the following precautions...

• Only burn dry materials
• Never burn household rubbish, rubber tyres, plastics, foam, paint, treated or painted fence panels/ or wood.
• Never use solvents such as meths or petrol to light or encourage a fire
• Never have a bonfire in unsuitable weather conditions
• Avoid burning at weekends, bank holidays and when neighbours want to enjoy their gardens
• Never leave a fire unattended
• Douse with water if bonfire becomes a nuisance.

Grove Park Carnival and Chinbrook Meadows Dog Show

Another "HMRC" SCAM

This message was sent via the ​

Bromley Neighbourhood Watch Association mailing service.  

​If you wish to contact us, e-mail:

 info@bromleynwa.org.uk

​Dear Coordinator,

​Reports are coming through from residents saying that they are being contacted by people claiming to be from HMRC collecting debts. These people claim that you owe them money and you need to pay right away to avoid being arrested and a costly court case.

It seems that they are now trying to convince people that the debt can be paid off if you spend a large amount of money on itunes vouchers to give to them. This has happened a couple of times recently and in one instance they convinced someone to buy £1000 worth of vouchers to pass onto them.

This is a SCAM.

HMRC will never contact you by telephone for payment.

If there are any monies owed HMRC will first send to you a letter. These scammers have been trying to convince people that they have sent a letter but it been returned to them or lost in the post.

HMRC or any other government organisation will NOT ask you to provide any form of payment to them in the guise of any type of vouchers.

If you receive one of these ‘phone calls please call police on 101

Please spread the word about this scam, make people aware and pass on to anyone that you think may benefit, particularly the elderly and vulnerable.​

​

Kind regards,

Bromley Neighbourhood Watch Association ​

Find us on the Web at: www.bnwa.co.uk

August blooms on the Links Estate

We’re delighted that Lucia Parnell of Portland Road is opening her garden to the public again this year.  Do come along to enjoy tea (or Pimms!) and cakes in beautiful surroundings and support good causes at the same time!  Here Lucia writes about the event.

On Sunday 13th August, the garden at 153 Portland Road will be open to the public from 2.00 to 5.30pm.

All proceeds from the afternoon go to The National Garden Scheme. For those of you who are not familiar with it, The National Garden Scheme supports several key charities, including Macmillan, Marie Curie and Parkinson's UK. Last year it donated £2.7 million to its charities.

This year it celebrates its 90th anniversary so we are keen to raise as much as possible. Admission £4.00, children free

Tea, cakes and Pimms for sale and we have a great Spanish guitarist for the afternoon. We are also selling some lovely Beeswax candles and Kent made honey.

Mature gardens with Buxus, Tree ferns, Pergola, Wisteria, Acers, pond. (Tiny but delightful garden shed!). 4 composters. Front and Rear Gardens Highly Commended by The London Garden Society.