PCEG Newsletter

Volume 14 Number 2

Incorporating Minutes of the 77th Meeting (AGM) of Plumstead Common Environment Group

24 January 2004 at St Mark with St Margaret’s Church

Chaired by: Julia Cowdell
Present: Julia (JC) and Alex Cowdell, Anji Petersen, Lynn McCalla, Erica Atkins, Caroline Hume, Linda Armstrong, Rob Poole & Anette Petersen, Christine Smith, Peta McMorran, Shirley Newton, Tom Meeneghan, Kay Bartlett, Danny Nicol, Margaret Simpson, Barbara Fitch.
Apologies: Bob & Patience Carlisle Susan & Andrew Bullivant, Trui Meyns, David Drostle, Mark Campbell, Zoe Elford, Nick & Chrissie Day, Jason Ward, Annaclaire Purnell & Rob Shaw, Elizabeth Cooper & Roger Keyes, Dot Lawrence, Viv & Bruce Bissett, Marilyn Williams, Lina Pedretti, Bill McMorran, John Armstrong, Kate Chowdhry, Roger Taylor.

Announcements

We welcome the following new members:-
Pauline Delaine Woolwich Comn.
David Larkin Sandy Hill Road
Tim Wates Wickham Lane

Annual Membership Renewals
These are now due. If you haven’t already paid your PCEG membership renewal fee, please send/bring £4.00 waged, £2.00 unwaged, £1.00 children under 16 to: Julia Cowdell, 8 Blendon Terrace, SE18 7RR.

Cheques should be made out to Plumstead Common Environment Group or PCEG.
NB: If you joined within the last 6 months you need not renew until November 2004. Schools & Clubs group membership: £10.00 (secondary) £5.00 (primary).
Payment by Standing Order:
Lynn McCalla has established that members wishing to renew their membership by standing order need to instruct their bank as follows:
Payments to be made to Plumstead Common Environment Group
Bank: Alliance & Leicester Commerical Bank plc
Sort Code: 72 00 01
Account Number: 9 605 8309
Reference: Full name of subscriber
Date due: November each year
Amount: £4.00 waged; £2.00 unwaged; children £1.00; Family membership £10.00; Schools & Clubs £10.00 (£5.00 primary).
If any members have email addresses which may not be on our membership database, JC would appreciate them emailing her at: juliacowdell@pceg.fsnet.co.uk

Dates for your Diary

Slade Ponds Work Days
The 2nd & 4th Sundays of the month, weather permitting, at 11am: Sunday 8 February
Sunday 22 February
Sunday 14 March
Sunday 28 March
All members welcome to join Pond Group on any work day. Contact: Chris Day 8473 5932.
Nature Reserve Gardening Group
Location: the wooded ravine behind Blendon Terrace. Work sessions usually take place on Tuesdays from 10.30 am or on Sundays at 11am. Please contact JC if you can join in on any given Tuesday.
Graffiti Removal Session
Saturday 7 February Meeting 10 am at the Rugby Club, Plumstead Common It's a big job, so we need a really good turnout!
Date of the next PCEG Meeting
Sunday 28 March 3-5pm St Mark with St Margaret’s Church Hall Old Mill Road, past the Old Mill and Prince Albert pubs.
Make Merry<br> Saturday 8 May
Message from Monica Meeneghan: No more pots please – she has plenty!

News Items

PCEG Party

Saturday 10 January This was great fun, as always, and with the usual array of delicious food brought/made by members. Thank you all!

PCEG Website

Unfortunately there is a major problem to do with Entweb going bankrupt. Certainly people are not getting through to us at the moment. Nick Day is aware of the problem and having now returned from America is dealing with it.

Historic Slides Evening

JC has been in touch with Tony Johnson to try and arrange a date for PCEG members (and the wider public). Unfortunately the projector has broken down but as soon as it is up and running again, Tony will be in touch to arrange an evening. Watch this space!
Anette Petersen volunteered at the meeting to contact Frances Ward about giving one of her talks to members.

News from Members

Audrey Deakin wrote to JC in December with the news that she has recently suffered a series of mini strokes. She misses her regular pond sessions. We send her our very best wishes and are glad she is continuing her membership of PCEG.
Alan Read also had serious health problems towards the end of last year and has been in and out of hospital. Although clearly enjoying life in seaside Essex, he said in a Christmas email that he and Beryl often think of us all and send their best wishes.
Min Good, now happily settled in Devon, also sends best wishes to members.

Wildlife Sighting

Monica Meeneghan writes: "When my husband Tom was walking off his Christmas lunch on the Common on Christmas Day he saw a grey wagtail, furiously wagging its tail."

Reports

Draft PCEG Constitution
See separate sheet at end of Newsletter.
The draft was prepared by Alex Cowdell and contributions from members present at the meeting are printed in bold. The Aims and Objectives remain unchanged. The other sections have been expanded to take into account the new structure of the Group and provide a way forward for the future.
The draft was approved by members. However as the Constitution will not be formally adopted until the AGM in November, the period up until then can be regarded as one of consultation, so if the wider membership not present at the meeting have comments or suggestions, they can bring these along for consideration at future meetings.

Plumstead Common Pilot Project

A summary: There are three pilot sites in the Borough, of which Plumstead Common is one. The project will run to the end of March initially. The intention is to improve standards. Park keeping: The aim is for there to be a much better service than yet provided, and that parks staff will have a more appropriate attitude, with much better reporting and collection of data, removal of graffiti within 24 hours, more thorough litter collection etc.
Two additional adult staff will be provided for Plumstead Common, from 2nd February to 31 March.
Two young people from the Behaviour Improvement scheme started a six week 'tour of duty' at Plumstead Common on 19th January. They are assisting the regular park keepers and JC understands that the scheme is working very well.
'Park Host' emphasis: staff will be given training and crib sheets about the history and natural features of the Common so that they can engage with the public.
Infrastructure: The aim is for improved maintenance standards. During the pilot project the post and rail fencing on the Plumstead Common Road boundary will be repaired/reinstated. New lamp standards will be painted and redundant ones removed (Adventure Playground area). The Nature Reserve will get a new sign. Tarmac of path across the Common towards The Old Mill: it was hoped that this would be included but because of cost/pricing difficulties it may have to wait. However it will not be forgotten!
Tennis Courts: "The proposal is to resurface the courts and to purchase and install new sturdier court surround fencing. Part of the courts' surface area has been lifted by tree roots on either side of the courts and it will be necessary to partially prune the roots and reduce the crown of the two trees concerned to prevent the surface of the courts re-lifting after resurfacing" [Rob Goring].
There is a Marathon Trust grant to refurbish the courts but the money may not cover all the work needed. Quotes for the work involved are expected very soon, after which it will become clear whether further money is required. Parks are in touch with the Trust as to the time scale during which the money must be used, but it is still hoped that the courts will be ready for this coming summer.
Events: There is a probability of events to encourage the local community to use 'their' park – to get the ‘good’ people in.
[Thanks to Alan Pett and Rob Goring of Parks for providing the basis of the above summary].
The next question is: how do members see PCEG contributing to team working, since one of the main aims is to develop a genuine partnership? All ideas are welcome! Please contact JC.
One idea from Bob Gillespie (Parks Operations Manager) is for PCEG members to accompany Parks staff at various times (in 2 hour stints from 10-12 or 2-5pm), as volunteers. He feels that members could offer valuable local knowledge about the area to staff – and would show community involvement and real partnership with the Council 'on the ground.' JC told the meeting it would also be an opportunity for PCEG members to monitor the performance of Parks staff and ascertain whether attitudes and work practices really are changing.
In answer to the question raised at the meeting as to park keepers' hours: there are two shifts from 9-4 and 10-5, so there is cover from 9am to 5pm at this time of year. They have an hour for lunch and 15 minute breaks for morning and afternoon tea.
Shirley Newton commented that PCEG involvement in this way would help staff understand how much local people appreciate the Common.
Names of volunteers so far: Cowdells, Anette Petersen, Barbara Fitch, Peta McMorran, Shirley Newton, Erica Atkins, Nick Day, Roger Taylor.
Please contact JC (as above) if you too can offer any two hour stints; the more the merrier!
The other idea already discussed at the AGM is that various PCEG members with particular expertise relevant to maintenance of the Common issues should work directly with Council officers where appropriate; indeed this would be a legacy of the pilot project. There will accordingly be a meeting on
4 February between Alan Pett, JC and four other PCEG members. This will be a brainstorming and hopefully stimulating session. It should also assist in the developing of a Management Plan for the Common.

Our Common Story – 2nd edition

Corrections and most of the up-dates have been done. Additional material on John de Morgan has been received from Professor Rob Allen. Excerpts will be included in the 4 additional pages at the beginning of the book. There will also be a Contents page. It is hoped that work will be completed within the next 2 or 3 weeks. We will then apply for an ISBN number and the book will go off to the printer. The aim is still for it to be on sale at the Make Merry.

PCEG Calendar

Many people assumed that we’d be producing a calendar for 2004 and were disappointed that we didn’t. It’s clear that there is lots of interest, so at the meeting the calendar/Christmas card committee was re-formed. Barbara Fitch, Shirley Newton and Peta McMorran volunteered to be on it. Please contact JC if you would like to join them.

Conservation Area

Planning Issues
Danny Nicol, PCEG Conservation Area Officer, reports on planning issues over the yuletide period:
Two victories for PCEG! First, we helped block a planning application to build two houses in someone’s back garden on the corner of Plum Lane and Plumstead Common Road (Belle Vue Cottage). This is part of the Conservation Area and we were vindicated in opposing such over-development.
Secondly, and more importantly, the Council also refused planning permission for a 12.5 metre telecommunications mast that was going to be erected on the corner of Lakedale Road and Winn's Common, by the mini-roundabout. The Council’s Planning Department did not inform us of this application - we found out only because Chrissie Day happened to see a sign on a lamp-post and phoned around! I wrote expressing outrage that the Planning Dept is still not telling us about applications involving our area, despite the fact that the Council Leader has instructed the Dept to keep us fully informed. I also said it was scandalous that such applications are not “strangled at birth” by the planning officers informing applicants that their cause is hopeless. It all goes to show that we must remain eternally vigilant in defending our Common.
Finally, the Council has requested the owner of the Links building to seek retrospective planning permission for installing uPVC windows, in the absence of which they will initiate enforcement proceedings. So we wait and see on this one…
JC adds: Re. The Ship
Erica Atkins informed members at the meeting that she has discovered it has been put out to tender by the developer for six flats, as per the last, successful, planning application. Hopefully we will see some action before too much longer.

Nature Reserve

To be known as the Plumstead Common Nature Reserve. JC has been discussing new signage for both entrances. It was agreed at the meeting that it should read:
Plumstead Common Nature Reserve
Site of Local Importance
Maintained in partnership by
Plumstead Common Environment
Group and Greenwich Council.
Please respect this area.

The logos of PCEG and Greenwich Council can be incorporated.

Plumstead/ Winns Common

Replacement Trees
Trees will be planted imminently (JC is assured!) on the Common at Chestnut Rise, the Picnic Area at Blendon Terrace and on Winn’s Common. We have Rob Poole to thank for these trees, which were originally used at the Respect Festival at the Dome last summer. Replacement trees which JC had requested for those which died from drought at Blendon Terrace and St Margaret’s Grove have not been included for this year’s budget; nevertheless she has asked Parks to see if they can purchase 3 or 4 trees, even at this late stage.
Bleak Hill Lane
PCEG member Malcom Lawlor is concerned at the continuing gaps in the bollards. Joy riding is still a real problem on this part of the Common and replacement bollards are desperately needed, together with proper maintenance. He reports that there is still a lot of anti-social behaviour of various kinds in the vicinity of the demolished pavilion. JC has spoken to Jeremy Shearmur, who has explained that kids have been pulling up the bollards and even rolling the logs that were put there as a deterrent. He will investigate ways of securing bollards.
Malcom Lawlor will be joining the Winn’s Common Watch group and will give us regular reports.
 

Slade Ponds

Chrissie Day would like to warmly thank those members who attended in her absence.

Graffiti Removal

Anji Petersen writes: The last graffiti removal session (day of the Rugby World Cup) was cancelled due to bad weather conditions. Many thanks to Erica Atkins and Caroline Hume who turned up despite the rain (and to JC who was on standby!). The session date is now Saturday 7th February at 10am, meeting at the Rugby Club. We will finally paint out the tags covering the building. It is likely that we will be joined by some students from Plumstead Manor School.
The Council have given us five tins of paint – which should last a long time – thanks to Cheryl Sushams and Bob Newcombe for the generous supply.
Shirley Newton has suggested another site to tackle – a house owned by Hyde Housing in Erindale Terrace. She will contact them for permission, paint and maybe volunteers from the property.
I am still looking for more members to join this group! The more people we have, the less work there is to do and the quicker we get it done! Please contact me if you are interested or have any suggestions for places around the Common to tackle.
JC adds: Shirley Newton has come up with the excellent idea that 'handy freshener' wet wipes could be given out to members of PCEG and Council staff, as well as school children and even members of the public, as instant graffiti tag removers. They are particularly effective in removing tags done by felt tip pens or, with more stubborn tags, at least obliterating them. Follow up action to finish the job properly can then be taken. Shirley has mooted the idea to Cheryl Sushams, who has asked her to put it in writing.

Recycling<

br> Christine Smith writes: I contacted Carol Ticknell-Smith, the newly appointed Recycling Officer (020 8921 4599) who informed me that LB Greenwich are in the process of rolling out a brand new recycling programme. During 2004 (& some homes already have it) each household will be offered a fortnightly collection of dry recyclable materials eg glass, paper, cardboard and plastic to coincide with their usual rubbish collection day. Residents can choose to be provided with either a blue topped wheelie bin or a clear plastic bag. The Council are building an MRF (Materials Recycling Facility) next to the site at Nathan Way which will sort the above goods that have been collected from the door. There is no need for people to sort the items, they just ask that items be clean. At present, the council are making use of another borough's MRF but their own will be ready later in 2004. Although this is bound to reduce the amount the PCEG earns from our adopted recycling site, the scheme will benefit us all in the long term.
Regarding the notice board at the recycling bins on Plumstead Common Road: no progress there I'm afraid, and it's (literally) back to the drawing board! Carol Ticknell-Smith will visit the site this week and contact me following a meeting with her managers to discuss whether or not we can make use of the board for recycling information.
JC adds: Since the AGM we have received two very welcome cheques from the Council: for £716.00 and £400.23, covering the period September 2002 - March 2003.

Any Other Business

Severndroog Castle Update

Anji Petersen writes: The campaign is going from strength to strength. The BBC have recently filmed at the castle and we are still getting emails and letters from supporters wanting to help. The Trust was featured on the National Lottery website e-zine as a good cause that received lottery funding.
We are appealing to PCEG members to supply the Trust with reminiscences of when the castle was open to the public. We have posted some already on our website (www.20six.co.uk/severndroog) which hopefully will trigger other memories in people. If you have a story for us, please send it to:
Severndroog Castle BPT,
29 Chestnut Rise, SE18 1RJ or email Severndroog@campaigner.co.uk

Amorel Kennedy is concerned that trees are being felled on the patch of land next to the Catholic church at the Slade for no obvious good reason.  Rob Poole told members that street trees come under Highways, not Parks, and that as it is private land there was not a lot that could be done.

On a more positive note, Barbara Fitch told members that the tree she had been complaining about (see November Newsletter) had now been been removed. She hopes for a suitable replacement for next year.

Gardening Tips

by Monica Meeneghan
January 2004

Viburnum.
These are often associated with winter for many species produce beautifully scented winter flowers. Our V. bodnantense 'Dawn' scents a room when I cut a few sprigs. It's an evergreen shrub propagated either by sowing seed and placing in a cold frame in Autumn or taking semi-ripe cuttings in the summer.
Roses
For healthy and productive roses it is necessary to prune, water well and feed them. Use a rose fertiliser at times when a lot of growth and flowering shoots are expected, that is, when a new crop of buds should be developing.
Pruning Rambler and Climbing Roses.
You need to follow these instructions in conjunction with the comments in the November '03 Tips. I shall describe the 2 types together but divide them into pruning groups. Hopefully you will have some horizontal wires fixed about 12-18 inches apart for tying purposes.
Group 1. This method applies to those that flower in June or July on the previous year's wood. eg. Dorothy Perkins and Albertine. They flower on the side shoots (laterals) of the vigorous and/or flexible long canes. When planting in Autumn the canes should be
pruned back to 9-15 inches from the base. From June to September train and tie them in horizontally. From the 2nd year cut the faded flowering shoots in August and September right back to the base leaving one or two to replace the framework where needed in addition to the developing young basal shoots. Cut back laterals on any flowering shoots left to 4-6 inches. Some species rarely produce basal shoots but mainly grow from a higher level on the old stems. The aim here is to retain a balance between old and new wood. Completely cut out 1 or 2 old growths. If there are any developing basal shoots train these in their place; otherwise cut back 2 or 3 old growths to 12 -18 inches from the base at a point where a vigorous young lateral can take its place as a new leader. Do not prune this side shoot at all but cut any shorter ones back to 6 inches. Ideally tie everything in horizontally.
Group 2. Those that flower on the current year's wood. Many of these repeat flower in one season. Do not prune the top growth when planting. Once established these don't produce vigorous basal shoots. Their young shoots grow from a higher level on the main stem so your aim is to create a strong balanced framework of branches. In July and August prune out weak growth and tie in leading laterals horizontally (or angled) when young. From October to March prune back the side shoots to about 6 inches and tie in leading shoots. Prune out weak growth. If shrubs are old you may need to prune out 1 or 2 exhausted shoots to near the base, hopefully encouraging new shoots to develop.
NB I will describe methods for other rose types in future tips.

Botanic name. Bodnantense,-is= This refers to Bodnant Garden, Talycafn, North Wales which was largely created by Second Lord Aberconway who gave it to the National Trust in 1949.

November Answer. Some trees or shrubs are not grown commercially on their own roots because these may produce an inappropriate sized plant. In addition it can be easier to propagate large numbers by removing the top growth from readily available suitable roots to form a ”rootstock and grafting a prepared shoot (scion) of the desired species on to it.

What Do You Know 2004? Why are some shrubs trained horizontally?