Volume 11 Number 4

Incorporating Minutes of Meeting of Plumstead Common Environment Group
20 May 2001 at St Mark with St Margaret's Church Hall

Dates for your Diary

Conservation Volunteers

’ Forum Woodlands Farm (open from 1 June) Saturday 2 June 10.30am - 4.15pm A networking meeting for groups in the Greenwich & Bexley areas, as part of Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June). PCEG members are invited!

Blackheath Fayre

Saturday 2 June 1pm-5pm

Music at St Mark’s

Summer Recitals June 2001 6.30pm
3rd Michael Strange organ
10th Sam Kimuli organ
24th St Mark’s Special choir
Programmes £1.00 Refreshments St Mark with St Margaret Old Mill Road

Greenwich Open Studios 2001

June 16-17 and 23-24
Local artists including two PCEG members, both potters, whose work can be viewed at their homes on both weekends.
Paula Canney: 38 Bassant Road.
Marilyn Williams: 98 Chestnut Rise. Paula makes garden and indoor pots, both decorative and functional.
Marilyn makes functional pots using earthenware and stoneware glazes.
Information about the other artists can be obtained from the organiser, Terry Scales (8853 3730), or from Paula Canney by telephoning 8854 8932. (Paula asks members to leave a message and their tel. no. on the answer phone when calling – she always has it on, but will call back).

Multi-Cultural Festival Sunday 17 June

Slade Ponds Work Days

The 2nd & 4th Sundays of the month, weather permitting, at 11am:-
Sunday 27 May
Sunday 10 June
Sunday 24 June
Sunday 8 July
Sunday 22 July
All members welcome to join Pond Group on any work day. Contact: Chris Day 020 8473 5932.

Nature Reserve Gardening Group

meets each Tuesday at 10.30am, weather permitting. Location: the wooded ravine behind Blendon Terrace. All members welcome. Contact:Kate Chowdhry 8854 8966.

Anti-Racist Festival Saturday 30 June

Asian Mela Sunday 22 July

Date of the next PCEG Meeting

Saturday 21 July 3-5pm St Mark with St Margaret’s Church Hall

News Items

1. PCEG has been contacted through our website by someone from Ireland whose childhood in the 1930’s was spent in Plumstead. His name is Alan Forrest and he writes as follows:

Greetings from Ireland!! Its nice to be able to see a little about Plumstead Common where I spent my childhood in the late 1930s. My family owned the greengrocers shop in "Birds Nest Hollow" for many decades. I remember the first box of bananas coming into the shop after the war, and my father giving the whole lot away to the local kids who had never seen one!!

My childhood memories of the common came flooding back. I well remember the old Globe cinema, sledging at the Slade Ravine and breaking my arm whilst playing on the Air Raid shelters opposite the Ship public house... happy days!! I was particularly interested in your group as environmentalists. I also am engaged in the same sort of work here in Ireland... Keep up your good work

Then:

On receiving your mail memories started to flood back. Just after the war I was a choir boy at what was St Margaret’s. I remember well the vicar, Mr. Morcombe, a lovely man...I remember the heady summers on the common especially the film shows from the back of a lorry just below the bandstand, the summer concerts there etc. I also remember the wonderful community spirit amongst the local people, when everyone new everyone etc. In those days graffiti and vandalism was unknown. My sister, Mary, married the publicans son, Tony from the Ship, and they moved on to be the steward and stewardess of Shooters Hill Golf Club. My mother’s family, the Smiths, came from the Slade (Albatross Street). I would love to know if any of your group might just remember my family!!

Alan Forrest

JC put this question to members present, and sure enough, Elsie Frost remembered being given two or three free grapes by his grandfather each time she was taken to the shop as a child! She has now emailed her memories to Alan. That is the thrill of this project, Our Common Story: so many links!

The environmental church service

after the meeting on 20 May was once again a very special occasion. Frances Hiller’s address this year took as its theme creationist theology and the interconnectedness of everything in nature – something which is re-emerging as a significant force in Christian thought today, and of relevance to all of us. Many thanks, Frances, for another enlightening talk.

Conservation Volunteers’ Forum

This is taking place on Saturday 2 June at the newly reopened Woodlands Farm and will be ‘a celebration meeting for conservation volunteers to network with other conservation volunteers in the area, exchange concerns, knowledge and skills, and plan for the future. Please bring and share lunch! If you want to attend this event and do not receive a reply form with the Newsletter, please phone or email Dave Sharman to let him know you are coming. Tel: 020 8305 2196. Email: davidsharman@compuserve.com

JC is looking for someone to go with her and report back to the next meeting in her absence.

Nature Watch

Monica Meeneghan wants to draw members’ attention to Garden Nature Watch, which is being undertaken for the Woodland Trust’s global warming research (no connection to Woodlands Farm!). She has been recording what she sees in her garden. It is mostly too late for other people this year but if anyone does want to help, contact Richard Smithers, The Woodland Trust, Autumn Park, Grantham, Lincs. NG31 6LL. Tel: 01476 581111 or Fax: 01476 590808. Rob Poole mentioned that he has a sheet entitled ‘First Signs of Spring’ which he will photocopy for our use next year.

Monica’s Nature Watch

Sycamore – budburst 27/3/01 first leaf 6/4/01
Great tit “presumably young, too bold for safety on kitchen window sill whilst I washed up on other side of glass – very close!” 27/4/01
Queen wasp 4/5/01 First bumble bee 20/3/01. “Tom saw one much earlier; unfortunately not recorded.” JC saw one too, in February!
Speckled wood butterfly 9/5/01
Peacock butterfly 2/4/01
Yellow brimstone 2/4/01
Small white 17/4/01
Orange tip 15/5/01

Closure of Grosmont Road

This matter has finally been concluded at recent meeting of the Council’s Charlton and Plumstead Planning Committee. From 4 June the road will formally be closed at the made-up section to prevent rat running and fly tipping. A survey of residents in Grosmont, Riverdale, Rockliffe and Purrett roads was undertaken. A third of residents responded, of whom 90% were for closure. This has to be a good decision. Rob Poole told members that as a second stage planning permission will be sought to soil over the road leading up to the path and grassing it over so that it is reinstated as part of the Common

Just Bin It

Tidy Britain Group campaign for April. The PCEG session took place on Sunday 29 April, despite the cold and rain. As the result of a preliminary site meeting the week before with Angela Saunders, JC, Gill Loader and Kate Chowdhry, the location was changed from Tuscan Road, after it was explained that Plumstead Manor School had plans to deal with the situation there themselves. Members therefore collected around 8 bags of litter and dumped rubbish from below the car park at Azile Everitt House where it adjoins the Nature Reserve, and the same number from the slopes at The Oaks behind St Margaret’s Grove. The Council collected the bags of rubbish and other heavy items but unfortunately omitted to take the burnt out motor cycle on the green at The Oaks. JC has been assured that action, though late, is imminent!

Blackheath Society’s Graffiti Removal Demonstration

This will take place at their stall at the Blackheath Fayre on 2 June. They have had the brilliant idea of demonstrating various graffiti removal techniques to the public. It would be great if any PCEG members are attending, to make themselves known at the stall and give encouragement. This is an idea which we could take up ourselves at a later date… 7.1.

Wildlife Sightings

On 17 May Alex Cowdell opened the front door at 8.45 am to be confronted by a fox sheltering in the porch from the heavy rain. Both he and the fox got quite a fright! Since then Cowdells have been entertained on sunny afternoons by a dog fox playing with his cubs at the bottom of our, and neighbours’ gardens. The week commencing 21 May saw a huge flock of starlings descend on the trees in our gardens and Nature Reserve, turning the area into a bird colony. The noise was deafening! We eventually realised that all the young fledglings had left their nests with their parents (at the same time!) and although proficient at flying, were still being fed by the parents. So they sat in the trees waiting to be fed, and the deafening squawking was to attract the parents’ attention when they returned with food. At time of writing the flock has dispersed and we are left with just a few family groupings.

Reports

Make Merry

Gill Loader, who could not be present at the meeting, asked JC on behalf of the Make Merry Committee to thank all those PCEG members who collected litter throughout the day and at the end of the event. As always they achieved a very high standard and this was much appreciated by the Committee and regarded by them as absolutely vital.
Lynn McCalla gave the following figures to the meeting:-
Takings from sale of plants, postcards and bric-a-brac £377.96 (Last year 218.58)
Membership renewals 47.00 New members 30.31 Total £455.27
JC thanked Monica Meeneghan and Erica Atkins for their tremendous effort in producing and bringing on plants for the stall, and the team of people, organised by Erica, who looked after the plants and sold them on the day. All very hard work – and much appreciated. Monica’s comments on the Make Merry in her Gardening Tips column (p12) are of particular interest. Erica writes: “Once again we had a very successful day at the Make Merry – and wonderful weather too! It was heartening to see members arriving with their contribution of plants for the stall. We were never short of customers. People come back year after year. They always go away feeling as if they’ve had a bargain. A special thank you to all the helpers who made sure our customers were satisfied with their purchases. Thank you to everyone, from Julia and me. We look forward to a repeat performance next year.”

Up-date:

Erica and Kate Chowdhry have been continuing to sell plants (£1.00 a tray!) at the Council Yard and have raised approximately another £15.00. Erica is now keen to get rid of the 8 trays still remaining. If anyone would like one, please contact her asap on 8317 3686.

PCEG’s 10th Anniversary

Lynn McCalla reminded members that it was ten years ago (2 June 1991) that eight neighbours met in Cowdells’ lounge and formed PCEG. She felt we must mark it in some significant way. It was at least a happy coincidence that the book ‘Our Common Story’ was coming out this month. After addressing some very generous remarks to JC, she presented her with a beautiful engraved pen from Tiffany’s (thank you Nick Day!) + a card signed by members. Then Dot Lawrence, Barbara Fitch and Rob Poole each spoke in turn, expressing thanks also to Alex Cowdell. At which point Erica Atkins produced an enormous basket arrangement of gorgeous flowers!! (JC completely taken by surprise at this unexpected turn of events and very touched to receive such appreciation). JC of course wanted to thank the wonderful people who make up PCEG (now over 200 of you!), without whom nothing could be achieved. Thank you also to all those members who contributed to the gifts (also Shirley Newton for her own very special gift) and signed the card, or who phoned during the week following the meeting. And most of all, many thanks to Lynn for conceiving such a lovely idea – never to be forgotten. JC also expressed appreciation of Dot Lawrence's consistent record of active commitment to this area (People Against the River Crossing, Shooters Hill Local History Group, Woodlands Farm and PCEG) even though she no longer lives here. Since the meeting Anji Petersen has emailed JC about her idea for a group photograph to be taken on the Common, maybe at the top of the ravine, in September. She will organise the photographer. This sounds an excellent idea, and something that really would mark our 10th year. More on this at the next meeting.

Our Common Story - the book

We took over £200 in advance orders from the Make Merry & Shooters Hill Local History Group. Because Cowdells decided in the end to go for colour (it makes such a difference), this meant the price basically doubled. Alex Cowdell had put up the extra money as an interest-free loan, and asked the Group only that he be re- imbursed as money from sales of the book comes in. This was agreed by the meeting. The book is now out! Copies can be purchased (price £10.00) at Abalone
Printer’s in Plumstead Common Road or at Snappy Snaps in Powis Street, Woolwich; also from the following members:- Cowdells - (up to 6 July). 8 Blendon Terrace. Tel: 8854 5167
Lynn McCalla Tel: 8855 6426.
Erica Atkins Tel: 8317 3686.
Paul Tyler Tel: 8855 8210.
Paula Canney (from 16 June) Tel: 8854 8932

There will be an official book launch at the Town Hall in the presence of the Mayor, on Thursday 21 June (probably at 5.30pm). Snappy Snaps will also be doing their own promotion (date not fixed yet). So far the books are going like hot cakes, particularly at Pumstead Manor School, but obviously we want to keep up the momentum, so members can play a vital role in spreading the word that this is a must-have book, and directing them to the various outlets.

Our Common Story - the education pack

. . . and related matters Angela Saunders, Senior Teacher at Plumstead Manor School (PMS) writes: PMS has incorporated mediaeval Plumstead Common work into the Year 7 curriculum. This is being trialled this year. PMS is looking long term to converting the big mediaeval picture done by students (which was displayed at the October exhibition) into a textile picture. There will be a display of educational resources at the Book Launch, with some of the gifted/talented students talking about the archaelogical work on the Barrow. PMS will host a launch of the Education Resource Pack for all the primary/secondary schools around the Common, probably late June, after the Book Launch.

Junior Citizen Campaign

Roger Taylor (Connex) explained to members that he has been taking part in this very worthwhile initiative as schools liaison officer. He writes: “It is an initiative between the Metropolitan Police, Local Primary Schools, Greenwich Council (and other local authorities). It is co-ordinated by Youth Crime Reduction Officer PC John Helly, who is based at Woolwich Police Station. It is composed of volunteers from several interested groups and these currently include the London Ambulance Service, Greenwich Council Road Safety, London Buses, Connex South East Trains, the Fire Service, Metropolitan Police (‘Stranger-danger’ and Drugs and Alcohol). Its theme is ‘Seven Lessons for Life’ and is aimed at years 5 and 6 primary school. ‘Sets’ include instruction, theoretical as well as ‘hands on’ and photographic displays. Each set lasts approximately 10-15 minutes, and children are marked out of ten points on a score card. ‘Goodie bags’ are awarded as well as a certificate and photographs of the group for the schools. John Helly was amenable to a ‘set’ being added for graffiti and litter awareness, which is where I see PCEG becoming involved, particularly with local schools.” Up-date from Roger: The day after the PCEG meeting, 21 May, Junior Citizen was held at Churchfield School, Church Manorway SE2. PCEG member, Rev. Marc Richeux made a visit and stayed for over an hour, making a tour of each ‘set’ and meeting the team and teachers. He agreed that a PCEG Graffiti/Litter set would complement the scheme well.

Graffiti Campaign

Greenwich Council’s Tackling Graffiti Seminar 14 May Cllr Ann Hutchinson and JC, who both attended the seminar felt it had been very worthwhile. Greenwich had somewhat lagged behind (Patience Carlisle asked if Lewisham had a bigger budget; answer yes!) and hopefully what had been learnt from the seminar would provide an effective means forward. Indeed Cllr Pete Challis had announced several new initiatives in JC’s Graffitibusters column in the Mercury (23/5/01). For those who do not get the Mercury, here is the article:-
There is a lot happening on graffiti already but we all know what a huge problem it is and how difficult it is proving to tackle, which is why I wanted to hold this seminar. Both the Council and the Police explained what they were doing and how much it costs. Community groups and local businesses told Councillors what they were looking for and about the support they needed.
There are three aspects to this:
How can we prevent the materials getting to graffiti vandals in the first place? How do we catch graffiti vandals and stop them doing it again? How do we get graffiti removed quickly?
Firstly prevention. I can reveal that Greenwich intends to introduce it’s own ‘Greenwich Businesses against the Taggers’ scheme. It will work something like this. Local shops from the big stores like Homebase to the small corner shop will be asked to sign up to the scheme. They will take spray cans and marker pens away from the front of the shop, they will make them secure so they can’t be stolen and they will not sell them to children under 16 unless there is an adult with them. In return the Council will provide support in getting graffiti removed. The details haven’t been worked out yet but it is likely that the chain stores will be asked to play their role in supporting their local communities by sponsoring the scheme and in return they will get graffiti removed. Small shopkeepers are likely to either get a free graffiti removal service or assistance by being provided with a graffiti removal kit, either free or at a much reduced price. The Council plans to have the details worked out within weeks and to launch the scheme in September. This scheme started as an initiative from the local police in Brockley who joined forces with Lewisham Council and now have over 150 businesses signed up. It is now being extended to the whole of Lewisham and places as far away as Aberdeen are interested. The Greater London Authority is looking at a Londonwide scheme and I am told that Woolworths are planning to make this company policy. Schools also have a responsibility to make sure that marker pens issued in class are returned and the Council plans to discuss a ‘Greenwich Schools against the Taggers scheme too. Secondly catching the criminals. Graffiti is criminal damage. Yet last year the Police in Greenwich only received about 200 reports of this crime. Young people know who the graffiti vandals are, and Greenwich will be looking at the ‘Shop a Yob’ scheme that has started in Wandsworth, where young people are encouraged to tell the Council who the graffiti vandals are. An integrated approach is the key. Information about graffiti criminals needs to be shared between schools, the Council and the Police. Youngsters who graffiti need to have these crimes dealt with as part of the youth offending system. YouthOffending teams are starting to introduce a co-ordinated approach including responsible behaviour contracts with young people and their parents, graffiti vandals cleaning graffiti off as part of their sentence and in the worst repeat offender cases custodial sentences. Finally the Council must help people remove graffiti. Firstly by setting an example with its own buildings – at the moment the removal time is ‘within 5 days’ and the Council is committed to improve this. Secondly by getting other organisations to ‘do their bit’. Organisations need to show their commitment. The Council invited all the shops in Eltham High St, to buy into our graffiti removal service. They could just ring the Council and the graffiti would be removed. Sadly, only Next agreed. Mount Anvil recently set an example by paying for the Council to get all the graffiti removed from the Coronet. If we are to have a co-ordinated approach we need all the graffiti removed in one area. It is no good removing graffiti from the walls if it is still on the bus timetables and the NTL green boxes. So the Council is trying to get NTL and other utilities to buy into the service it can offer. Thirdly we need to provide support to individual citizens, businesses and community groups who want to remove the graffiti themselves. For example, South Greenwich Forum asked for an information pack. It would contain advice on what materials to use to get different types of graffiti off, how to tackle different surfaces, when specialist materials are needed, and health and safety. The Council will have this ready by September. Providing ‘graffiti removal kits’ either free or at a reduced price was something else community groups said would be helpful and the Council will respond to that request too. Finally we need to enlist “people power” when large organisations fail to respond. As one community representative said, “we have plenty of members who are willing to put pressure on NTL, if they don’t respond.” This seminar was only the beginning; a working group is being established to take these initiatives forward and later this year we will reconvene to see what progress has been made and what needs to be done next. Councillor Pete Challis Executive Member for Public Services
Cowdells asked members at the meeting to make sure that graffiti removal sessions continue to take place in their absence. Anji Petersen agreed to be the co-ordinator. She will be assisted by John Bryant.
If members see graffiti in the area we are monitoring (top of Bloomfield Road and on and around the Common ) they should telephone or email Anji. Paula Canney commented that the back of the Council flats in Heathfield Terrace is covered in graffiti. Kids are there till 1.30am; sounds like a classic drugs scene… One of the walls that could be tackled while Cowdells are away is the one at the Dr’s surgery just down from Waverley Crescent. Erica Atkins has been liaising with the receptionist there and they would like us to remove it. Hopefully afterwards they would take responsibility themselves. The Rugby Club also needs doing again – hopefully Alex Cowdell can organise a session before July.

Street Leaders’ Conference – Lewisham 19 May

JC was invited to speak to the conference about PCEG, how we began, what we do – and about ‘getting involved.’ Approximately 100 street leaders attended and the conference was told at the start that there were ‘talented and fascinating individuals’ working in Lewisham Council’s environmental divisions! On the litter and street sweeping front they aimed to treat estate streets and non-estate streets the same by October – to be able to take clean streets for granted so that they could then focus on things like recycling. They would be taking kitchen waste from individual households and turning it into compost. They also aimed to boost paper recycling in dense housing estates. The Council was impressed at the number of people turning out for the conference. We needed active citizens. Work on the environment was crucial and the way forward was to tackle environmental crime (‘enviro-crime’). The street leaders’ role in this was vital. Also, they would be arguing with the government for more powers regarding abandoned vehicles. Here again, the support of active citizens helps when they argue for this. They see street leaders as ‘ambassadors for the area, and as ‘critical friends.’ They have their eyes and ears to the ground, and are expert advisers to the Council. Originally, ten years ago, there were only 4 street leaders; now there were approximately 665, and the Council aimed to have a street leader in every street. They were also keen to develop the role of street leaders – to go beyond merely reporting problems to the Council, but to physically help with maintaining their area, as for example PCEG does. There followed a ‘voting session,’ where the street leaders present could vote electronically on whether the Council had improved its performance since the last conference in November on a range of services to do with streets, parks and recycling. When asked how the Council could be more environmentally friendly, the biggest percentage of people (42%) suggested by improving on recycling.
When asked if they would be willing to issue fixed penalty fines for littering and dog fouling, surprisingly 56% said they would be. Another idea in the pipeline is for street leaders to distribute cards through letterboxes of houses and businesses near them that have graffitied walls, drawing people’s attention to the fact; the card would have a contact number for removal by the Council. This idea could perhaps be adapted by PCEG: the card could contain a PCEG contact number offering advice about removal…..? Superintendent Harris of Lewisham Police spoke of ‘public oriented policing,’ the police having an ‘up for it’ attitude, of wanting to prevent crimes rather than just respond to them. He described Operation SENECA - after the Roman philosopher who apparently wrote about youth problems and the importance of the community. The concept is that community based problems have community solutions. For example, Lewisham police found that most gang related violence and most robberies occur near five bus routes/stops. So for the past six months they have been working with bus inspectors and the education service, and getting CCTV cameras installed. As a pilot, they have been investigating graffiti and other vandalism on the 136 bus. SENECA is now London-wide, with every borough in the Met doing their own SENECA-type operations. Every robbery caught on cameras in buses has led to an arrest (in a month in Sutton, eg, 56 people were arrested). It reduces crime by 50 a week and the number of 999 calls in a day by 40. It is putting the police where they need to be. They were bringing together good ideas and good practice.
After the main speakers had delivered their addresses, various workshops were held. JC obviously went to the street leaders’ one. Here she met other ‘hands on’ people like those active in PCEG – in particular two groups who have made a real difference in Brockley Rise and in St John’s, particularly relating to graffiti removal. There was quite a lot of useful exchange of ideas. Altogether a stimulating experience, with hopefully some things of interest to Greenwich. 9 Nature Reserve Cowdells and Kate Chowdhry have planted several saplings in both the Nature Reserve and the periphery of the Picnic Area. JC is very grateful to the Council’s tree officer, Les Jones, and Rob Poole (Parks), who in their free time carried out some major pruning to the mulberry tree, which is in a fragile condition. Hopefully the increased light gained by also pruning some of the nearby trees will help it to grow more upright. Bluebells have been truly magnificent this spring (they seem to love the wet conditions we endured) and have started to colonise slopes such as those at St Margaret’s Grove as well. 10 Slade Ponds We had five moorhen chicks in early May! Hopefully they are all still alive at time of writing. There was also a visiting heron for a couple of weeks. With all the rain the reed bed has been flooded, but fortunately the reeds are still coming through. Rob Poole intends to organise the construction of a breeding island in the top pond. Yes please! 10.1.1 Plumstead/Winns Common The Council Yard in Waverley Crescent has been cleared and we are able now to use it – indeed should do so! Ideas from members, please, while Cowdells are away. English Heritage have visited the site and were particularly interested in the stables, apparently, but have not yet submitted their advice as to whether it and the Lodge should be listed.
Paula Canney commented that the newly installed bollards by the paddling pool had created damage which had interfered with wildlife areas. This had not been made good, nor had damage caused where new lights have been installed. JC knows that certainly Bob Gillespie is aware of the latter problem. Rob Poole is very pleased, as is JC, with the tree guards PCEG has donated once again. None of the new trees which have them have been damaged.
This is a very effective use of our recycling money. 11 Recycling Replacement for Cowdells duty day – Tuesday: Lynn McCalla and Viv Bissett. Please phone the Council Recycling department on 8921 4598 or Christine Smith (8316 5125) if you have any problems.
ve a great summer!

Local Exchange Trading Scheme (LETS)

by Elizabeth Angas
LETS has become much nearer and more convenient for PCEG members as it is now based in Plumstead. You will remember that the various LET schemes throughout the country are a simple way of giving and receiving without using money. It is a ‘green’ community method for buying and selling, using the local currency. Our local one uses Acorns. To obtain a leaflet which explains clearly all about it, contact the LETS administrator, Ann Sargent, c/- Glyndon Community Centre, 75 Raglan Road,
Plumstead SE18 7LB. Or leave her a message on 020 8855 8314. Or call in and meet her in person on a Tuesday between 10am and 2pm. If you tried to join LETS when I wrote about it in the PCEG Newsletter before, you may have found it much too complicated and given up. Or, you may have found it too scary to start trading without safeguards built in. Be reassured that this new local scheme is simple and straightforward and efficiently run; also Ann Sargent gives you friendly, helpful support until you feel you can cope alone. This local LETS is called ‘Waterfront LETS’ but is nothing to do with the sports centre of that name by ‘Woolwich Ferry. It is also now possible to inter-trade with the other LET schemes nearby – other parts of Greenwich borough, or Lewisham or Bexley, using their various interchangeable currencies (eg Lewisham uses Anchors). Each district has their own directory, giving what local people have to ‘offer’ or ‘want.’ There is also a ‘Lets Feel Better’ directory which brings together all the local complementary therapists who offer their services (eg aromatherapy or reflexology) under the LET scheme. I myself am an Autogenic Therapist. Autogenics is an effective method of stress management which you can learn in eight weeks (www.autogenic-therapy.org.uk). I ‘offer’ this now under the local LET scheme, and their latest newsletter has a special feature about how it works. I personally will use the Acorns I thus accumulate (ie being a LETS therapist) in order to ‘buy’ the services of plumbers or electricians, to do work in my home which I cannot do myself. So this is one personal example of how a LET scheme might work. Each person will have their own skills they are able to ‘offer’ or will have ‘needs/wants’ which they could fulfill
through a LETS ‘purchase.’ It would also be possible for PCEG to join as a collective group and to trade services and skills in Acorns for the benefit of the environmental work.

Gardening Tips May 2001 by Monica Meeneghan

The Make Merry. It was a great pleasure for me to be able to go along with Tom for a few minutes when he went to unload a few plants for the stall. As I have to pace myself so hard due to my poor health, it is the first time that I have been able to see the stall. It had always puzzled me how space could be found for so many plants but now I have been able to see for myself how it is done. I was very impressed by the quality and range of plants as load after load was brought by so many people. Thank you to those who took trays of plants off my hands in early April to care for at home. It was this that enabled me to be sufficiently rested to get to the stall. Erica was very supportive by telephoning and organising people to come to collect the plants. As always, your provision of pots was invaluable.
Houseplants.
Many houseplants benefit from being put outside in the garden during the summer months, once the frosts are over. Don't forget to harden them off first by gradually putting them out for longer each day before leaving them out all night. If you have cold frame space they can be helped to acclimatise in that. You may like to use your spider plants for bedding out to set off some colourful flowers. Top Fruit. As I write we have had no frosts this May and unlike the last few years the season has been cooler so that the blossom has been late enough not to be damaged. Also the heavy rain has encouraged a large amount of blossom.
There is bound to be more than the trees can set and it is natural for them to drop some of the young fruit in June but if you water the trees well regularly and feed with potash now you should get a heavier crop. In some cases the weight of the fruit might become too heavy for the branches so that you will need to give them some sort of extra support. Fruit buds always develop more readily on the more horizontal branches and so it's beneficial to train them to grow horizontally by tying them or weighing the branches down with something heavy. The same can be done to encourage roses to flower well.
Some trailing perennials. Yellow Alyssum, 'Rosy Red,' Arabis alpina, Asarina 'Victoria Falls,' Aubrieta, Begonia, Brachycome, Campanula portenschlagiana, Convolvulus elegantissima, Felicia, Helianthemum, Lewisia-cotyledon hybrids, Origanum 'Kent Beauty,' Pelargonum 'Cascade' types, Phlox subhulata, Plumbago capensis, Verbena peruviana.
Botanic Names. Many of the names express the place of the plant's origin. Some are obvious like Baptisia australis. Others are:- capensis= from the Cape of Good Hope. eg. Plumbago capensis. chalcedonia= from Chalcedon Asia Minor. eg. Lychnis chalcedonia (Maltese Cross). Napaulensis= from Nepal. eg. Meconopsis napaulensis.
What do you know 2001? What does monocarpic mean?