Garden Square News SERVING CENTRAL LONDON’S COMMUNAL GARDENS VOL 24 ISSUE 2, AUTUMN 2019 Big City Butterflies project HAD a flutter on the National Lottery? Your ticket price may be coming back to you in the form of more butterflies in central London gardens. A new campaign called Big City Butterflies has been launched by the Butterfly Conservation charity, with £38,200 of funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. This is initial backing for a pilot project, and the charity is in the process of applying for a full National Lottery grant of £439,700 for a four-year campaign. The goal, according to the conservation group, is to inspire Londoners to identify and understand butterflies and moths, HOLLY BLUE and help the insects thrive in their photo by Dr. Tim Freed neighbourhoods. Seen one of these in your communal garden this summer? And could you identify (continued on page 16, see also 12-17) it if you did? A new project may have you saying “yes” to both questions. RBK&C takes London mayor to court ON NOVEMBER 21 the Royal Borough of Kensington & of low-rise buildings, currently the site of the Holiday Inn — Chelsea (RBK&C) Council will fight London Mayor Sadiq Kensington Forum. Khan in the High Court of Justice over the massive high-rise The Council has been granted a Judicial Review regarding the complex the Mayor wants to see constructed within an area Mayor’s right to give permission for the Ashburn Gardens, SW7 development (GSN Spring 2019) on the grounds that he acted improperly. The charge is based on the way the Mayor pushed through his decision to approve. Traditionally there is a time lag between approval and the final terms being agreed. During this time the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government can step in and take control of a planning decision. However, Mayor Khan put through his final approval within hours of his June 21 decision to endorse the developers’ plans. Therefore there was no opportunity for the Secretary of State to step in, and RBK&C had no time to influence the various MAYOR SADIQ KHAN COUNCIL LEADER conditions that were to be placed on the developers. photo by Dr. Tim Freed ELIZABETH CAMPBELL (continued on page 22)

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2 Gardens are polluted, university researchers say

arden square residents who thought their exposure to metres from a road, the pollution level will have fallen significantly.

nitrogen dioxide (NO2) air pollution was lessened by the The results of the Imperial/UoL group appeared in an article Gtrees and vegetation they live near will apparently have titled “Inequalities in Exposure to Nitrogen Dioxide in Parks to revise their thinking, according to a new study that indicates and Playgrounds in Greater London” published in September unhealthy levels of pollution in London’s green spaces. in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Researchers at Imperial College and the University of Leicester Public Health. (UoL) say 67 per cent of “private parks or gardens” – a category The report warns that many parts of London continue to

that includes communal squares – have greater than European exceed the average NO2 concentration set by the EU. Some 24 Union (EU) limits of nitrogen oxide. percent of play spaces, 67 percent of private parks and gardens, No measurements, researchers conceeded, had actually been and 27 percent of public parks had average levels that exceeded taken inside any communal gardens. The researchers principally the EU limits. relied on interpolating 2016 data from the London Atmospheric The report left open the possibility that specific areas might Emissions Inventory (LAEI). It is not clear from the report exactly have widely different readings. Report co-author Laure de Preux how the LAEI compiles its data, but it appears to give importance said the individual communal gardens weren’t directly measured to 67 static monitoring sites widely spread across Greater London. because that would just have created “anecdotal” evidence about According to the study, air pollution isn’t necessarily mitigated each one. “We wanted to be able to say something about London by nearby trees – in fact if trees create a tunnel effect down a busy as a whole and link it to inequalities. Furthermore precise road, they can intensify the pollution by trapping it. pollution monitors are very expensive and to say anything Where communal gardens provide an advantage, the report meaningful, they would have had to stay in parks [communal says, is if they are large, simply because the farther away from a gardens] for months at least.” busy road the resident is, the lower the pollution level. Within 15 When asked about the number of monitors and how far apart they were, she said, “we have experts in dispersion modelling. Therefore, I don’t think it is relevant to emphasize the number and distance of monitors as all this is taken into account and adjusted if necessary.”

The report noted that elevated levels of NO2 have been associated with children’s health problems, including reduced lung function, asthma, obesity and reduced cognition.

Out of all the London boroughs, those with the highest NO2 levels were, in order of pollution, the City of London, the City of Westminster, the London Borough of Camden and the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (RBK&C). Within RBK&C, one of the highest pollution levels was measured at Conker Tree play area, W10, a space nestled between the on and off ramps of the A40. High pollution is often found in the poorest areas, the report said. Play spaces in London’s most deprived areas are six times more likely than those in the least deprived areas to exceed the legal

limit for NO2. And although building play spaces in these blighted areas might seem to be a positive action, the poor air quality there could lead to greater health impacts, “increasing health inequalities between the most and least deprived areas”. During a presentation of their findings at a seminar in October, the researchers said they recommended a variety of steps to avoid and reduce pollution, including riding bikes or walking whenever possible instead of driving, especially on the school run, switching to electric vehicles, and to walking down side streets rather than main roads to avoid pollution. They also urged the audience to lobby those in power to make changes to curb the causes of pollution.

2 3 Hotel garden conflict he transformation of a half-acre garden square into an artificial T beach and “event space” has made many surrounding residents unhappy. The contested space lies behind the Crowne Plaza Hotel on the Cromwell Road near the intersection with Gloucester Road, SW7. It was once a communal garden connected with the adjacent St. Stephen’s Church, a Grade II* Gothic-style structure built in 1867, and the surrounding homes. It is now covered with artificial grass, recently-installed plastic pods (pictured Dining pods have been erected in the hotel garden behind the Crowne Plaza Hotel on the Cromwell Road, obscuring the view of the Grade II* St. Stephen’s here) which cover dining tables, and, Church. The ground has been covered with artificial grass. sometimes, sand. A billboard with a beach landscape stands at one end. space ship landing in the middle of a new building actually improves/enhances The garden land is owned by the hotel, beautiful garden”. It would harm the the garden that they have recently ruined. and is not restricted by any of the Acts living condition of neighbours, harm “I contend that given it is a key part of of Parliament that protect many central the environment of the historic church, the Conservation Area, the garden should London gardens. It is, however, covered increase impermeable surfaces and thus be restored as far as possible to its original by Cornwall Conservation Area rules and increase surface water runoff, result in the condition as a typical 19th C like Cornwall Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea loss of open green space, and go against Gardens, Queens Gate Gardens etc. i.e. (RBK&C) planning laws. There are still current planning policies. restore St Stephen’s Gardens to its only connecting gates linking the surrounding The garden lies near the centre of the recently-lost character as the heart of an houses to the garden. Local residents have Kensington “Critical Drainage Area”, architectural set-piece and not continue so far not been able to discover who sold land designated as having drainage its drift towards a Las Vegas activity park the garden freehold to the hotel, and when. problems and where runoff can cause replete with summer beach club, winter Currently a canopy structure in the flooding problems downstream. drinking pods all set within artificial turf garden, plus the pods, provide cover for In defending their decision to reject the and plastic poppies…” patrons, but a planning application for a hotel’s application, RBK&C planning He said that the provision of a shared “comma-shaped” building extension from officers stressed that the Grade II* church communal garden was an innovation of the back of the hotel into the garden space was an important structure that deserved the 19th century that remains critically was made in January 2018. The proposed to have open garden space around it to needed in such a densely built and building would measure 179 square allow it to be properly appreciated. polluted neighbourhood, and that the metres and replace the pods and canopy. Philip Gumuchdjian, an architect who tranquility of the garden, prized by It was rejected by RBK&C planners in lives in a house facing into the garden, residents, churchgoers, and the nuns June of 2018, a decision which was wrote to Garden Square News: living in the adjacent convent building, appealed by the hotel management two “Currently the modus operandi of the hotel needs to be protected and preserved. months later. A planning inspector heard has been to use it as a place to consume Managers of the hotel did not respond the case on October 15 of this year. No drinks and ruin the garden (in landscape to a request for comment. Crowne Plaza’s decision has been handed down yet. terms), claiming the situation does not parent company is Intercontinental In objecting to the planning application, require permission, and then justify Hotels Group Plc., a company which the Kensington Society described constructing a substantial 6-metre-high owns a variety of hotel brands, including the proposed extension as “a wood new building at its centre arguing that the Holiday Inn and Hotel Indigo.

4 Rich residents opt to pay more FIGURES are beginning to emerge contribute more has been underway since showing how ready the richest residents March of 2018. In the first financial year in the two richest boroughs in the UK are £350,000 was raised in the first half, and to share their wealth via the council tax. another £350,000 in the second half, When the occupants of the Royal according to a spokesman for the City. Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s In the first half of this financial year 15,500 most expensive homes were asked £200,000 has come in, and the letter earlier this year if they would consider asking for donations for the second half paying an additional contribution over of the year is going out in November. and above their normal council tax, The money is managed through the approximately 1 in 15 replied. City of Westminster Charitable Trust. Of those who replied, some 61 percent Of the £900,000 raised, nearly said they would contribute additional £200,000 has already been allocated payments. And within that group, some to go towards schemes helping rough 80 percent said they supported the The 15,500 homes fall within the sleepers and young people. proposal that the extra money should be “Band H” category. The categories for Cllr Nickie Aiken, the leader of spent on “investment into opportunities the Royal Borough’s homes were set Westminster City Council, said: “Our and skills for young people”. in 1991, and those valued at more wealthiest residents contributing to the Royal Borough officials have decided than £320,000 were placed within community contribution told us they that forming a new charity is the best way Band H, the top band. Values have wanted to see that money spent on to handle the funds that are expected to increased dramatically since then, but activities like helping rough sleepers and come in, and are currently working out no revaluation has taken place. giving young people a chance in life, and the mechanics for this, including lining Meanwhile, in the City of Westminster, that’s exactly what is happening. up independent trustees. the idea of asking Band H residents to (continued on page 19)

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4 5 Neighbours CITY OF WESTMINSTER CRIME STATISTICS share crime information NEIGHBOURS are using CCTV footage and social media more and more to try to prevent burglaries in their streets. WhatsApp, Nextdoor, Facebook and Twitter are helping to fill the information gaps left when local news media don’t provide crime reports or cover criminal trials. Residents are sharing video images of burglars so that their neighbours can be on the lookout for them. The CCTV image below, taken in a Wetherby Gardens, SW5, house in April, was captured just before one of the flats in the house was burgled. Police are seeking this man to help with their enquiries. The adjacent Metropolitan Police charts provide a snapshot of the crime statistics in the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBK&C). They show that from October 2017 through September of this year, there were 138,765 crimes recorded in Westminster and 45,719 in RBK&C. When measured against population ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON & CHELSEA CRIME STATISTICS statistics, that means for the two-year period there were 55 crimes per 100 residents October 2017 in Westminster, and 29 crimes per 100 residents in RBK&C. Home Office figures for England and Wales last year show that only 8.2 percent of crimes recorded by police resulted in a suspect being charged or summoned to appear in court.

The man shown here is wearing a bicycle helmet with the strap unclasped, and holding a finger out in what could be a “keep quiet” gesture.

6 Trust, declined to comment on the details, and the current The golden gate occupant of the house did not answer a request for comment. The managers of the communal gardens, Savills, also declined to THE MODEST appearance of this gate at the southern end of comment on the transaction or the amount of commission Savills Egerton Place Garden, SW3, belies its actual cost. might have received for it. The windfall was not used to reduce The gate connects the back garden of a house at the northern the garden maintenance costs charged to Egerton Place residents. end of Egerton Terrace with the half-acre communal garden which lies behind the crescent of houses on Egerton Place. Neighbours say that after the house was sold a few years ago, the new owner asked the freeholder of the communal garden, the Wellcome Trust, if a connecting gate could be put from the house to the garden. It’s said the owner was told by the freeholders that the price would be 10 percent of the value of his house. Since the house had fetched in the region of £12 million, the cost would be more than £1 million. The Egerton Terrace house would not ordinarily have rights to access the communal garden, since it is not part of the terrace of houses along Egerton Place. So the asking price would have reflected two benefits: the convenience of direct access, plus garden use rights that had not previously been attached to the house. According to property data in the website Zoopla, the value of the house has increased from £12 million when it was purchased in 2011 to a current estimated value of £17.4 million. Planning application documents indicate extensive modifications to the TImhouse during thatGe time, including rge the installation of the connectingTREE gate, applied SERVICES for in 2013. LIMITED Jamie Trivedi-Bateman, investment manager at the Wellcome This gate links a house to Egerton Place Garden. TIm Ge rge TREE SERVICES LIMITED Helping to Maintain London’s Trees Local authority approved contractors, maintaining trees in communal gardens in Westminster & Kensington and Hampstead. All aspects of tree surgery undertaken, including; crown reduction, felling and dismantling, hedge cutting, stump grinding, tree planting and London plane tree health & safety checks. • References available on request • Full PL insurance £10 million • No job too small Call:07788 800956 Tel: 01737 844974 or email [email protected]

6 7

London Sq Mag Ad QP.indd 1 11/04/2019 21:12 All together now

isitors to Fitzroy Square, W1, with its dazzling display of V Georgian architecture, might miss a feature if they don’t look carefully. The elegance of the square is raised a notch higher because almost every house in the historic square has the same vibrantly red pelargoniums growing in its window boxes. It’s a floral signal that the occupants are acting in concert, and the effect is powerful.

Floral harmony unites Fitzroy Square

Square residents can be highly independent people, so how did Fitzroy achieve this unity without being under “The Fitzroy Square Frontagers’ and window boxes provide a greater lushness the control of a single landowner? Garden Committee [of which he is a of flowers and foliage to enhance this Charles Stephens, a longtime resident 25-year member] was founded in 1815 very special city square.” of the square, explained how the project and has been active over the years to the As for the current orchestra leader in this evolved: present day. The Frontagers are made floral performance, Mr. Stephens explained: up of a mix of business and residential “The window box scheme has always owners of the houses in the square. The been under the remit of the Garden window box scheme was introduced in Director in order to balance both 1982 by the then Chairman Mrs. Doris window boxes and the garden in the Westwood and the Garden Director Mr. overall picture.” The current director is A. John Budden, who had the foresight Ms. Kat Norton. and vision for embellishing this attractive Robert Adam Square. At first, 10 houses out of 40 signed up to the scheme and Home to Virginia then others followed in subsequent years.” Woolf and George He said in the early days of the scheme, lighter red pelargoniums were used in Bernard Shaw the planting, then “during early years of the 21st Century Garden Director A firm called Plant Displays Plus Ltd, Mr. Edward Turner introduced trailing under the direction of Mr Andrew ivy from the upper balconies and chose Taylor, plants the boxes – some 170 of a deeper red for the lower window sills. them -- and maintains them. Mr. Taylor These two elements mean that the said the flowers he uses are available in

8 nurseries from mid April to the end of Shaw, Prime Minister Lord Salisbury, Writer Virginia Woolf and playwright June, but sell out quickly. painter Charles Eastlake, and influential George Bernard Shaw both lived in Asked if the flower type ever changes, architect Robert Adam. this house at different times. Mr. Stephens said, “No, as these hardy pelargoniums and ivy generally last throughout the winter months in our micro climate. Also we are limited in our Jubilee sculpture budget. We budget between £375 - £400 Naomi Blake’s abstract sculpture, per house per year for the planting and pictured here, stands inside Fitzroy upkeep of the boxes. Square’s communal garden and was “This is a voluntary scheme and most installed to mark the Queen’s Sliver Jubilee Frontagers’ over the years have generously in 1977. contributed to the scheme. A recent survey What appears to be a bronze work of art of house owners showed that they were in isn’t bronze at all, according to former favour of the window box scheme with Garden Director Mr. Edward Turner. only three house owners wishing to do “When I first started to be involved with their own individual design. Those three the garden, the sculpture had graffiti and do their own style and use other suppliers.” bird droppings on it, so I went out to the In addition to the stylish horticultural garden one day to clean it. But when I display, the square also boasts started to work on it I was dismayed to commemorative plaques for many find it was made of fibreglass.” famous past residents, including author Ms. Blake, a fellow of the Royal Society Virginia Woolf, playwright Bernard of Sculptors, died last year at the age of 94.

8 9 Biblical garden is blessed In the middle of the SW10 communal a wisteria framing the south door of the bay, cistus and myrtle for their biblical garden called The Boltons stands St Mary The church. Dwarf alpine plants and other connection, to offer a succession of colour Boltons, an Anglican church built in 1850. bulbs in the rockery will offer a jewel- and interest, while the perennial layer that It has its own gardens immediately adjacent like succession of colour as the seasons knits everything together includes some to the church, and their recent renovation is progress. Around the main south lawn brilliant performers such as the wallflower described in the article below. On September four multi-stemmed medlar trees will Erysimum Bowles Mauve and Bergenia 15 the Venerable Stephan Welch, Archdeacon cordifolia Autumn Magic. of Middlesex, blessed the garden in a special Paths have been re-laid and extended, ceremony. He is pictured here with the church Archdeacon holds recycling the existing York Stone and Vicar, the Revd Jenny Welsh. special ceremony in unified with a warm sand-coloured pea The article below is reprinted from the gravel. Six rounded ‘Camelback’ benches September issue of The Clarion, the magazine The Boltons are reproductions of a Victorian design, of the Parish of St Mary The Boltons. made of cast iron and the hard wood provide beautiful white flowers in May Iroko. They sit comfortably among the By Non Morris and glowing bronze fruits and richly new planting and against the backdrop of the t the very heart of The Boltons coloured leaves in autumn. The borders mid-nineteenth century church. in south west London lies a have been planted with shrubs, including (continued on next page) A small publicly accessible garden surrounding the Church of St Mary The Boltons, sometimes called the country church in Chelsea. The garden has been maintained by parishioners as a much appreciated local open space, but the havoc caused by its use for storage and construction purposes while mobile telephone masts were installed in the church tower was beyond the resources of volunteers to restore. In 2017 the Revd Jenny Welsh, Vicar of St Mary The Boltons, invited garden designer Non Morris to redesign the south and west-facing space surrounding the church. The brief was to create a coherent, attractive and uplifting garden looking as good as possible throughout the year, to include biblical plants where possible and to provide cut flowers and foliage for the church. The reconstruction work was undertaken by HG Landscapes Ltd, and the refreshed and replanted gardens opened in time for Easter 2019. They are now maintained by Forbes and Allen Horticulture. Notable features of the restoration work include the introduction, at the west entrance to the garden, of a multi-stem winter flowering cherry to balance the existing spreading magnolia on the other side of the church door; the re-emergence photo by Edwina Sassoon at the heart of the garden of a rockery, The Venerable Stephan Welch, Archdeacon of Middlesex, (left) and the vicar with its rounded shape echoed in the of St. Mary the Boltons church, the Revd Jenny Welsh, are pictured here in a gently curving beds created further into September 15th ceremony during which the Archdeacon formally blessed the the garden; and beyond that the arch of renovated garden.

10 (continued from previous page) The garden is the only publicly accessible Owl tribute installed garden in an area full of mature private gardens. It is used by many different people every day of the year. It is registered with the Quiet Garden Movement and forms part of the whole garden area of The Boltons, listed by Historic England. The Revd Jenny Welsh said ‘this project has achieved far more than the work we were initially considering. This is a significant milestone in the life of the parish and we are extremely grateful to our friends and neighbours and other donors whose generous donations have made the project possible’.

The Revd Welsh wrote in The Clarion that she wanted to thank Alan and Dee McIntosh, Sirdar Aly Aziz, James and Shirley Sherwood, the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, Edwina Sassoon, THIS WIRE replica of an owl perched on a shovel handle has been erected in Crescent Leo Fraser-Mackenzie and local anonymous Amenity Garden, W9, as a tribute to the late Virginia de Vaal, a longtime champion donors for their support for the project, along of Crescent and nearby Triangle Amenity Garden. The owl was created by the Simply with many members of the parish. Rewired company. A handkerchief tree was also planted in her memory next to the Designer Non Morris can be contacted via sculpture during an October 3 memorial service held for her. Guests took it in turn to www.nonmorris.com add soil to help plant the tree.

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10 11 Our butterflies: an expert view

LONDON’S CHANGING brownfield land, railway sidings and sites close to the Wildlife Garden: 21 BUTTERFLY SCENE similar abandoned plots create ideal species in Kensington Gardens and Hyde habitats for Essex, small, and large Park; 26 in Buckingham Palace Garden; An amazing array of butterflies has been skippers – Thymelicus lineola, T. sylvestris 15 in St James’s Park and The Green recorded in London’s Natural History and Ochlodes sylvanus. On hot summer Park; 24 in Brompton Cemetery; 23 in Museum’s Wildlife Garden during the last days, they jostle with meadow brown, Holland Park; 26 on Barnes Common; 23 years. Consultant entomologist Dr Tim Maniola jurtina, and gatekeeper, Pyronia 30 at The London Wetland Centre and Freed takes a closer look at what’s been tithonus. A neglected patch of leguminous 24 in Battersea Park. Further afield, The happening here, and at some other inner weeds on the lawn or car park verge Regent’s Park and Greenwich Park each London sites. might attract a passing common blue, list 27 species, and in Tower Hamlets Polyommatus icarus, to pause and lay her Cemetery Park no less than 32 species Butterflies have been monitored tiny button-like eggs. Sites with woody have been recorded. annually in the Wildlife Garden since habitat frequently support populations At first glance these figures may 1995. Of the 23 species noted, about of speckled wood and occasionally the convince us that all is well with our seven now breed each year, about 13 elusive purple and white-letter hairstreaks, urban butterflies, but this is not really are occasional or fairly frequent visitors Favonius quercus and Satyrium w-album. so, and lists should be interpreted with which sometimes breed, and three have caution. They may incorporate escapees been seen only once. These figures are THE TRUE PICTURE from butterfly houses, and species which quite remarkable for such a small and Over the years the number of butterfly no longer occur at a site due to habitat isolated site situated by one of the busiest species recorded in central London has destruction. Some, like wall, Lasiommata and most polluted roads in the capital. been considerable. To a degree, a site list megera, have largely vanished from inner Its success for butterflies, and other reflects the time and effort spent recording London. Infrequent or one-off sightings wildlife, is due largely to the efforts of a there, but it doesn’t tell us which species of migrants including rarities such as dedicated team of staff, onsite specialists comprise the core breeding assemblage. Camberwell beauty, Nymphalis antiopa, and many volunteers who work tirelessly to This usually involves a much smaller monarch, Danaus plexippus, and long- create and maintain the diverse habitats and number. tailed blue, Lampides boeticus, can also diligently record the species using them. Sites where hostplants and habitats are bolster numbers. suitably managed and protected and those CITY SURVIVORS close to valuable green corridors – railway UNEXPECTED VISITORS Butterflies can exist wherever suitable sidings, embankments and cuttings, canals One most unusual record is that of the habitats occur, even in tiny wildlife- towpaths and river courses – usually have large copper, Lycaena dispar, at friendly gardens. These urban oases are the largest butterfly populations. Buckingham Palace Garden. This readily used by some of our most attractive Take for example approximate totals for strikingly beautiful butterfly became and opportunist species. Nettles growing in a sunny spot beside the compost bin may harbour caterpillars of red admiral, Vanessa atalanta, and comma, Polygonia c-album. An ivy-clad wall in the local park or churchyard provides habitat for the plump green caterpillars of holly blue, Celastrina argiolus, wonderfully camouflaged as they feed secretively amongst the ivy flowerbuds. In autumn, ivy flowers attract red admiral, comma, small tortoiseshell, Aglais urticae, speckled wood, Pararge aegeria, and a host of others which readily come to feed on the pungent nectar. Brimstone, Gonepteryx rhamni, hibernates amongst ivy’s evergreen foliage protecting it from winter’s icy blast. Tall grasses, weeds and shrubs on COMMA photo by Dr. Tim Freed

12 extinct in the wild in Britain in the 1860s. The Palace specimens originated from an experimental introduction in 1977 by the Reverend Harbottle who arranged for its hostplant, water dock, to be planted by the lake to encourage breeding. However, the colony failed to establish. The increasing incidence of non-urban butterflies wandering well away from their usual breeding grounds also affects central London lists. In 2007 I was handed a rather squashed female purple emperor, Apatura iris, by a barrister who had found it on a pavement outside the High Court. At that time this species was known mainly from the larger woods of central southern England and I considered the individual – now in my collection – might have been released by MARBLED WHITE photo by Dr. Tim Freed an enthusiast. However, the record of another purple emperor that year at the garden size especially when properties are brimstone was an uncommon sight in London Wetland Centre, and more recent knocked down and replaced by two or central London, but increased planting sightings at Hampstead Heath, Abney more, is also a problem. Neonicotinoids of its hostplants – buckthorn and alder Park and Richmond Park, confirm that on crops in the countryside, targeting buckthorn – in London’s parks and this majestic butterfly is indeed making of brownfield sites for development, nature reserves has encouraged this eye- forays into central London. loss and fragmentation of habitats, catching insect to venture further into as well as the issue of diesel pollution town. The Garden’s several buckthorns CAUSES FOR CONCERN combined with nitrogen enrichment - were deliberately introduced to attract Climate warming is undoubtedly thought to degrade vegetation – are all this species and they are evidently serving driving changes in the distribution of having an effect. their purpose. many of our butterflies as well as enabling The bright sulphur-yellow males are continental immigrants to colonise. REGULAR ATTENDEES often the first butterflies to be seen in the The ‘urban heat island’ effect, which From late March to early June the Garden. Females are pale-yellow and may refers to raised inner city temperatures holly blue may be seen fluttering around be confused with the large white, Pieris when measured against those in rural the Wildlife Garden’s plentiful hollies. brassicae, so it’s best to take time over areas, also has several consequences for Holly is the main hostplant of the first recording them. Adults have been seen butterflies. When compared with their brood but dogwood, spindle, buckthorns, here between April and August, the earlier rural counterparts, urban butterfly bramble and gorse are also present and representing hibernated individuals, the populations have earlier emergence may be used. First generation females latter, their offspring. times and peaks of abundance whilst also utilise a number of ornamental The first small white,Pieris rapae, their adult life-span is shorter. There is shrubs commonly found in London’s green-veined white, Pieris napi, and also a tendency to increase their brood parks and gardens, including Pyracantha, orange-tip, Anthocharis cardamines, also numbers and consequently extend Cotoneaster, privet, snowberry, Euonymus hatch in early spring and fly along the flight periods. Urban horticulture offers japonicus, Escallonia, Ceanothus and box. verges of pathways that weave through the increased availability of non-native This eclectic taste helps explain why the woodland ride and associated habitats. hostplants to which some species have holly blue does so well in urban areas. Bluebell, dandelion, cuckooflower, forget- adapted. Second generation adults emerge in me-nots, garlic mustard and greater Research has revealed that between July and August. Females invariably stitchwort provide nectar. 1995 and 2014 numbers of many seek unopened flower buds of mature All three butterflies now breed here. common British butterflies fell by 69 per flowering ivy on which to deposit Female green-veined white and orange- cent in cities and towns compared with a their tiny disc-like eggs. A large clump tip mainly seek out garlic mustard and 45 per cent decline of the same species in of flowering ivy climbing a pendent cuckooflower on which to lay their eggs, rural areas. The main causes are thought silver-lime in the middle of the Garden one at a time. The developing caterpillars to be related to new gardening trends provides this resource. of green-veined white feed on the leaves such as paving, decking or gravelling over whilst the orange-tip caterpillars remain lawns and verges, as well as increased use HABITATS FOR SPRING HARBINGERS on the seedpods, which they resemble, of pesticides in gardens. Reduction in Until quite recently the nomadic (continued on next page)

12 13 (continued from previous page) Recent research in Sussex has shown providing this habitat together with and thus both species can coexist on the that in certain situations the egg and the recently acquired grassland extension same plant. Regrettably orange-tip is caterpillar stages are capable of surviving along the Museum’s south east corner that uncommon in central London, but the our increasingly mild winters. is managed by the Wildlife Garden team. case of the Wildlife Garden demonstrates The intriguing wing shape and tawny- Common blue has already been noted that it can survive here when its hostplant orange colouring of the comma are here and small copper, Lycaena phlaeas – and habitat requirements are provided. distinctive, although in flight this butterfly recorded in the Garden only once – may Small white caterpillars also feed on might be taken for a fritillary as it glides be attracted to breed where sorrels and garlic mustard, but charlock, hoary cress and flutters in the sunshine. The comma docks grow. and hedge mustard may also be used. As became extinct in London 150 years ago Apart from some selective grazing and with large white, which frequently visits and by the turn of the nineteenth century cutting this area remains undisturbed the Garden, numbers of small white it was a national rarity. There has since allowing butterflies to do their thing, are substantially boosted each year by been a gradual resurgence and it is now including visiting other habitats in the migration. Both small and green-veined seen regularly in central London. Its Garden and delighting visitors. whites are having additional but restricted caterpillars feed on common nettle and third broods due to climate warming, and hop which are widespread in the Garden. HELPING LONDON’S occasionally there is evidence of a late Elm is also used at other sites. GRASSLAND BUTTERFLIES summer generation of orange-tip. Adults mate after hibernation and Excessively hot dry summers can spell produce a summer generation in July and trouble for London’s grassland DANCING IN SHADE AND GLADE August. A percentage of these go on to butterflies. Wildflowers quickly fade and The speckled wood is the most create more adults in September which parched swards are constantly disturbed frequently recorded butterfly in the then hibernate. The small tortoiseshell and flattened by sunbathers, picnickers Garden where it flies between April and peacock, Aglais io, are also hibernators and dogs. In such circumstances, and early November. The semi-wooded and regular visitors to the Garden though enclosed grasslands provide safe havens and sheltered habitats here suit this there are apparently no records of their for butterflies and other creatures. The species, which is unique amongst British larvae here. general dearth of late summer nectar butterflies in being able to tolerate sources can be partly alleviated by GREEN-VEINED WHITE heavy shade. It also has an unusual cutting selected areas in late May to overwintering strategy, spending the provide more wildflowers after others coldest months either as a chrysalis or have gone. The heathland habitat caterpillar, and there is much overlapping provides late nectar for butterflies in of its three annual generations. the Garden. Grasses growing around the edges of Leaving areas of tall grasses uncut the woodland and hedgerow habitats through the winter enables skippers, such as false-brome, Yorkshire-fog browns and others requiring a tall and cock’s-foot are used as hostplant. sward to breed and flourish. Contrary Extensive woodland in nearby Holland to what some sources continue to state, Park admirably favours this attractive Yorkshire-fog is often used by Essex butterfly with its brown and primrose- skipper for ovipositing in both urban yellow spotted wings. and rural situations, and meadow Of the four nettle-feeding species OCCASIONAL VISITORS foxtail is much used by Essex, small and recorded here, the red admiral is most Butterflies less frequently seen in the large skippers. These facts appear to frequently seen. Its velvety chocolate Garden include Essex skipper, small have been missed in earlier studies, and and black wings adorned with brilliant skipper, large skipper, meadow brown, highlight the importance of making scarlet-orange bands and white spotted gatekeeper and common blue. These one’s own field observations and not wing-tips gives this handsome butterfly grassland species prefer sunny, open being led by the book. a commanding appearance. Like the areas which are warm and sheltered. In Hyde Park Meadow, about 1.75 painted lady, Vanessa cardui, which Between them they love to visit flowers km north of the Wildlife Garden, has been noted here in six years, the of tufted vetch, meadow vetchling, adjustments were made to the grass red admiral is a powerful migratory common bird’s-foot-trefoil, red and cutting policy in the mid-1990s. Advice insect, usually arriving in Britain from white clovers, common and greater against a total cut and removal policy, May onwards, producing home-bred knapweeds, common and Oxford led to a reduced and diversified cut with specimens in summer and a further ragworts, cat’s-ear, rough hawkbit, areas of tall grasses left standing over brood in autumn. common fleabane, and creeping and winter. This produced a conspicuous A return migration occurs each year spear thistles. increase in numbers of skipper and although there is increasing evidence The meadow and chalk downland brown butterflies which had been that some adults overwinter in Britain. areas in the Garden go some way to largely absent before.

14 under-recorded. Some, like the exquisite purple hairstreak, spend most of their adult Encouraging butterflies lives amongst the tree tops where they bask Where possible, retain fallen leaves and imbibe honeydew. This species has been (except for horse chestnut leaves) in the observed just twice in the Garden, in the autumn, especially under hedges and vicinity of its hostplant, oak. However, it is shrubs. Many leaf-mining micromoth not as uncommon in central London as one caterpillars complete part of their might believe. lifecycle in the leaves and are important People usually search for it on deciduous components in the food chain. oaks but it also breeds on evergreen oak Consider leaving some areas of your and I have found populations using this in lawn uncut to allow grasses and Brompton and Kensal Green cemeteries. resident wildflowers to develop and Scanning oaks with binoculars on warm grow tall; bird’s-foot trefoil, clovers, RED ADMIRAL photo by Dr. Tim Freed summer evenings from mid-June to late selfheal, buttercups, dandelions, daisies, July is the best way to enjoy this butterfly as nettles and thistles will all be useful for INDICATORS OF TIME AND CHANGE it flutters about the canopies before settling butterflies and bees. Today, the skippers and browns are down for the night. Don’t use pesticides -- use ecologically joined by gatekeeper, ringlet, Aphantopus The elm-dependent white-letter friendly alternatives. hyperantus, and occasionally marbled hairstreak has not been recorded in the Allow ivy to mature and flower white, Melanargia galathea. Thirty years Garden due to the absence of its hostplant. especially in sunny, sheltered spots and ago, it would have been ludicrous to Colonies have been found locally at Barnes, let it to grow up one or two trees; it can think of the last two mentioned as Gunnersbury, Holland Park, Hyde Park, always be kept in check by pruning. Its urban butterflies but climate warming The Regent’s Park, Vauxhall Spring Gardens value for butterflies, especially the holly has caused remarkable changes in their and other central sites where elms grow. The blue, and many species of moths and distribution. As an example, both species increased planting of disease-resistant elms other insects, cannot be overstated. now breed annually in Brompton Cemetery. will further assist its survival here. Encourage butterfly recording in Ringlet began to spread to central London your garden square and collate and in 2011 and I recorded it in Buckingham HOW CAN YOU HELP share records at the end of the year. URBAN BUTTERFLIES Palace Garden in that and the following Don’t introduce butterflies by buying year. It has since been seen in the Wildlife You don’t have to be an expert to butterfly stock and releasing them – Garden in 2013 and 2015. Marbled white appreciate and help butterflies. You can do they should be attracted by the habitat has gradually invaded Middlesex from your own thing or join a group. created for them. the west and its arrival in the Garden is The London Natural History Society Butterfly-friendly plants: eagerly awaited. www.lnhs.org.uk, London Wildlife Trust w Buddleia (butterfly bush) – A most unexpected, but welcome www.wildlondon.org.uk‎ and Butterfly Excellent but large, robust types can sojourner was the silver-washed fritillary, Conservation www.butterfly-conservation. be problematic. Try Buddleia davidii Argynnis paphia, which appeared in the org all have excellent websites, where you 'Beijing' for August-September Garden in July 2000. Usually seen in can find everything you need to know about flowering and DwarfBuddleias if broad-leaved woodland where its hostplant, field trips, conservation work, help with space is restrictive. common dog-violet grows, it is extending identifying, recording and submitting your w Sweet rocket Hesperis matronalis for its range and has been sighted at London butterfly sightings. orange-tips and whites. Wetland Centre, Paddington, Tower There are many other ways to get involved w Catmints Nepeta spp. and mints Hamlets, Blackheath, and even at the – you can take part in the annual Big Butterfly Mentha spp. for the borders; also great Elephant & Castle. Count www.bigbutterflycount.org; you for bees. A solitary small heath, Coenonympha can record butterflies on a regular basis w Bird’s-foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus pamphilus, was observed in the Garden in in your garden in the Garden Butterfly and clovers Trifolium spp. for July 2014 by the late Gay Carr who loved Survey www.gardenbutterflysurvey.org common blue and others. Plant in to work and record here. This little buff where you can use the iRecord free App to the lawn and along verges. coloured butterfly generally avoids central identify and send in your sightings. w Ice plant Sedum spectabile - autumn London, but can be seen in rough grassland flowering at places like Wormwood Scrubs and also in – Dr. Tim Freed Barnes across the Thames. This is an updated and abridged version of an article which appeared in the Natural ELUSIVE HAIRSTREAKS History Museum’s evolve magazine in the See page one and page 17 for news Hairstreak butterflies, so-named because summer of last year. The Wildlife Garden is on Butterfly Conservation’s "Big City of the fine white markings on the undersides a one-acre plot at the southwest corner of the Butterflies” project of their wings, are notoriously elusive and Museum grounds.

14 15 City butterflies project launched (continued from page one) Participants will be taught to identify different butterflies and moths through training sessions and guided walks. And they will be encouraged to plant the types of “pollinator- friendly” plants in their gardens, balconies and allotments that will provide nectar and protection. Planting “caterpillar food” plants will also be promoted, such as nasturtiums. Spokeswoman May Webber explained that the planting programmes will help to create “green corridors” for butterflies to travel between green spaces safely because they can find nectar-providing and sheltering plants along the way. She said that statistics on butterflies and moths in London are scarce, so it is not known if London’s butterfly population is declining, as many UK insect types are. Part of the project NOTICEBOARDS, SIGNAGE, STREET FURNITURE AND MORE... will be to encourage people to record sightings of butterflies and moths using the free app iRecord and develop better data. While the campaign is underway, Butterfly Conservation will The VISITmap above OUR gives a glimpse NEW of theWEBSITE! places where people be testing new approaches to urban conservation. Configure and purchase products using secure checkout, save your saw butterflies and sent in their results to the Butterfly readers have been offered a special Conservationconfigurations charity in the ‘wishlist’ this summerfor later use during and print the + save butterfly a detailed count Garden Square News product PDF. See bit.ly/product-vid for a guide to using the new website. season. Observers at the Natural History Museum reported discount if they become members of Butterfly Conservation seven different types seen. A nation-wide map can be found –- they can join for half price, starting at £18 per year. See the on theWWW.GREENBARNES.CO.UK Butterfly Conservation website. next page for details. CALL US TODAY 01280 701093

JOSEPH JONES CONTRACT FollowingFollowing aa sell-out tour tour in in 2018, 2018,

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Wormwood 7 pm of (AsGarden partFRI ofTHURS the 5 BedfordJuly Trees4 Square–July 7 pm Festival) – 7 pm St James'sNorlandFri 21 Gardens June Square – 7 pm W11W11 PaddingtonLittleScrubs Wormwood Park Street W10 W1 St FRIPeter's 5 July Square – 7 pm W6 ThursQueen’s Fri20 21 June June Park –– 7NW67 pm pm LittleScrubsFri 28Wormwood Park June W10 – StSAT Peter'sBedford 6 July Square –Square 7 pm W6 WC1 SatQueen’s 22 June Park – NW67 pm SATScrubs 29 June Park – W107 pm St Peter's Square W6 Queen’s Park NW6 Mat.SAT 293 pm/Eve.June – 7 pm7 pm (AsSAT part 6of Julythe Bedford – 7 pm Square Festival) NorlandSat 22 Square June – 7W11 pm AccountsSATLadbroke 29 June Square –& 7 Invoicingpm Le Gothique,SAT 6 July Royal – 7 Victoria pm CamdenSat 22 JuneSquare – 7 NW1pm Ladbroke Square Le Gothique,PatrioticFRI Royal5 Building,July Victoria – 7 pm FriCamdenSun 21 June23 JuneSquare – 7 – pm6 NW1 pm SUNLittleLadbroke 30 JuneWormwood Square – 6 pm Le Gothique, Royal Victoria Camden Square NW1Residential SUNScrubs 30 June Block Park – 6 W10 pm ManagementPatrioticWandsworthSt Peter's Building, SquareSW18 W6 Queen’sArundelSun 23 Park June & Ladbroke NW6– 6 pm CornwallSUN 30 June Gardens – 6 pm SW7 PatrioticWandsworth Building, SW18 Sun 23 June – 6 pm CornwallSATTues 29 2 JulyJuneGardens – –7pm 7 SW7pm SuNWandsworth 7 SATJuly 6 – Julymat. SW18 3– pm7 pm SatArundel 22Gardens June & Ladbroke– W11.7 pm Cornwall Gardens SW7 TuesSuN 79 JulyJuly –– mat. EVE. 3 7 pm pm Arundel & Ladbroke Tues 2 July – 7pm SuN 7 July – mat. 3 pm TuesGardens 25 June W11. – 7pm ConnaughtLadbrokeTues 2 July Square Square – 7pm W2 TuesLeFormosa Gothique, 9 July Garden – RoyalEVE. W97 pm Victoria CamdenTuesGardens Square25 June W11. NW1– Call7pm us toConnaught Wedsfind 3 out July Square how– 7 pm W2 we canTues help 9 July you. – EVE. 7 pm PaultonsTues 25 JuneSquare – 7pm SW3 ConnaughtSUN 30 June Square – 6 W2pm FormosaWedSPatriotic 10 JulyGarden – Building, 7 W9pm Sun 23 June – 6 pm Weds 3 July – 7 pm FormosaWandsworth Garden W9 SW18 PaultonsWeds 26 JuneSquare – 7 SW3 pm CornwallWeds 3 July Gardens – 7 pm SW7 ClevelandWedS 10 July Square – 7 pm W2 ArundelPaultonsWeds 26& Ladbroke JuneSquare – 7 SW3 pm WedSSuN 107 July –– 7mat. pm 3 pm Weds 26 June – 7 pm Tues 2 July – 7pm ClevelandTHURS 11 July Square - 7 pm W2 Gardens W11. ClevelandTHURSTues 119 July Square -– 7 pmEVE. W2 7 pm THURS 11 July - 7 pm Tues 25 June – 7pm19 EastbourneConnaught Terrace, Square London, W2 W2Formosa 6LG Garden W9 Weds 3 July – 7 pm Paultons“ SquareShakespeare SW3 in the Squares is such a brilliantWedS idea 10and July – 7 pm Weds 26 June – 7 pm [email protected]ㅣ020 3626 0094 wonderful“ Shakespeare that the in company the Squares is going is such from a brilliantstrengthCleveland idea to strength. and Square W2 THURS 11 July - 7 pm wonderfulI wish them that every the company success with is going A Midsummer from strength Night’s to strength. Dream I wish them this every year.” success DAME with JUDI A DENCHMidsummer - PATRON Night’s Dream this year.” DAME JUDI DENCH - PATRON 6 Chiswick Lane, London W4 2JE “ Shakespeare this year.” in the DAME Squares JUDI is DENCH such a- PATRONbrilliant idea and wonderfulTwitter that @shakessquares the company Facebook is going @shakespeareinthesquares from strength to strength. Twitter @shakessquares Facebook @shakespeareinthesquares Tel: 020 8995 9076 I wishTwitter them @shakessquares everyshakespeareinthesquares.co.uk success Facebook with A Midsummer@shakespeareinthesquares Night’s Dream shakespeareinthesquares.co.uk Sponsors: Domus Nova this / Durbar year.”shakespeareinthesquares.co.uk Restaurant DAME JUDI/ Efficient DENCH Stationers - PATRON / Garden Square News / HayesSponsors: Parsons Domus / Knight Nova / Frank Durbar / MaroushRestaurant / Melt / Efficient London Stationers/ The Royal / Borough Garden Squareof Kensington News / and Sponsors: Domus Nova / Durbar Restaurant / Efficient Stationers / Garden Square News / www.josephjones.london ChelseaHayes Parsons / Vickers / Knight Independent Frank / Estate Maroush Agents / Melt / Westbourne London / The Block Royal Management Borough of /Kensington John D Wood and ChelseaHayes Parsons / Vickers / Knight Independent Frank / Estate Maroush Agents / Melt / Westbourne London / The Block Royal Management Borough of /Kensington John D Wood and Chelsea / Vickers Independent Estate Agents / Westbourne Block Management / John D Wood Twitter @shakessquares Facebook @shakespeareinthesquares shakespeareinthesquares.co.uk Sponsors: Domus Nova / Durbar Restaurant / Efficient Stationers / Garden Square News / 10Hayes16 Parsons / Knight Frank / Maroush / Melt London / The Royal Borough of Kensington and 11 Chelsea / Vickers Independent Estate Agents / Westbourne Block Management / John D Wood

69565_GS Newsletter 24Pp_2019_P1-11__31_5_19.indd 10 31/05/2019 15:50 SPECIAL OFFER – Garden Square News readers are invited to become members of Butterfly Conservation for half price – as little as £18 per year.*

Become a Butterfly Conservation member and you can help butterflies and moths in London and across the UK. Join today with the code SQUARE50. Visit www.butterfly-conservation.org/join. *Offer valid until 31/03/2020

Butterflies and moths are key indicators of the health of our environment. Two-thirds of butterfly and moth species are in decline. This is a warning that cannot be ignored.

Butterfly Conservation works across the UK to protect threatened species, creating and maintaining safe places for nature and inspiring people to care about our butterflies and moths, creating a better environment for us all.

Find out about our plans to help butterflies and moths in London through a new project at www.butterfly-conservation.org/BigCityButterflies

*Offer applies to applications made by Direct Debit only. Requires a bank or building society account from which Direct Debit payments can be made to the UK. Full price membership will begin in year 2 if you choose to continue your membership when we write and invite you to renew. Offer applies to new members only who have not previously joined Butterfly Conservation using a promotional discount code. Full terms and conditions are available at www.butterfly-conservation.org Butterfly Conservation, Company limited by guarantee, registered in England (2206468), Registered Office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QP. Charity registered in England and Wales (254937) and in Scotland (SCO39268) Photos kindly provided by May Webber, Will Langdon and Matt Berry

16 17 And where do you live? ON A RECENT Kensington Society- sponsored tour of Kensal Green Cemetery, W10, one of the points of interest was the curious inscription on the sarcophagus pictured here. The tomb is the final resting place of members of the Horn family, and apparently it was important that two of them should have their home addresses carved in stone. Richard Horn, who died in 1883, is listed as living at “46 Stanhope Gardens, South Kensington”, and his son, Arthur Frederick Horn, who died in 1892, lived at ”67 Harrington Gardens, South Kensington”. Newspaper records indicate the two were solicitors in Piccadilly. The cemetery, which opened in 1833, is the final resting place of many famous people.

www.InChelsea.co.uk/PavilionRoad @ PavilionRoad @Pavilion_Road

Garden Sq Mag half page 190mm x 138mm V3outlined text.indd 1 15/05/2019 13:09:45

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LONDON’SLONDON’S LEADINGLEADING SPECIALIST ININ THE THE GARDENGARDEN MAINTENANCE MAINTENANCE OF SQUARESSQUARES AND AND COMMUNALCOMMUNAL GARDENSGARDENS LGSLGS LONDON LONDON SQUARES SQUARES COMPETITIONCOMPETITION 2017 2018 First Place First Place ST JAMES’S SQUARE - LARGELARGE PUBLIC PUBLIC SQUARE First PlaceST. JAMES’S SQUARE PEMBRIDGE SQUARE - LARGE PRIVATEFirst place SQUARE SecondLARGE Place PRIVATE SQUARE HYDE PARK GARDENS - LARGEPEMBRIDGE PRIVATE SQUARE SQUARE Third PlaceSecond place WETHERBY GARDENS - LARGELARGE PRIVATE SQUARE SQUARE First PlaceCOURTFIELD GARDENS MONTPELIER SQUARE -SMALL PRIVATE SQUARE Third Place First Place SMALL PRIVATE SQUARE KENSINGTON GATE - SMALL PRIVATE SQUARE MONTPELIER SQUARE Second Place SMALL PRIVATE SQUARE EGERTON CRESCENT

FForor advice advice andand quotationsquotations contactcontact RobertRobert Player Mob:LONDON’Smob: 07710 07710 LEADING 809584809584 Offi office:SPECIALIST ce: 0192301923 238765 238765IN THE GARDEN MAINTENANCE OF SQUARES AND COMMUNAL GARDENS 20 21 LGS LONDON SQUARES COMPETITION 2017 First Place 69565_GS Newsletter 24Pp_2019_p12-24_30.5.19.indd 21 ST JAMES’S SQUARE - LARGE PUBLIC SQUARE31/05/2019 15:52 First Place PEMBRIDGE SQUARE - LARGE PRIVATE SQUARE Second Place HYDE PARK GARDENS - LARGE PRIVATE SQUARE Third Place WETHERBY GARDENS - LARGE PRIVATE SQUARE First Place MONTPELIER SQUARE -SMALL PRIVATE SQUARE Third Place KENSINGTON GATE - SMALL PRIVATE SQUARE

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For advice and quotations contact Robert Player mob: 07710 809584 office: 01923 238765

10 WITH THE TROPHIES GATHERED UP, GARDEN ASSOCIATES EMPLOYEES PETER BEAGLEY AND VERONIKA MUELLER-SCHLOER CELEBRATED THE FIRM’S STRONG SHOWING AT THE LONDON GARDENS SOCIETY AWARDS NIGHT IN OCTOBER. London Gardens Society winners ALWAYS strong contenders in the past, and Kensington Gate, W8. head gardener, are maintained by Garden gardening firm Garden Associates had In the Large Private Squares category, Associates. unprecedented success this year in winning top of the list was Pembridge Square, W2, The judges for the competition were awards for garden squares they tend, taking followed by Eccleston Square, SW1, and Mr. James Buttress VMH, Mr. William six out of the seven top square prizes. Hyde Park Gardens, W2. Cathcart MVO, Ms. Kay Maguire, Mr. The awards were distributed on the For the Large Public Squares category, Simon Richards, Mr. Jo Scrivener, and evening of October 10 by the London the prize went to St James’s Square, SW1, Mr. Alex Hoyle. Gardens Society in the ornate Guildhall in a space which is a private square but which The financial firm which has sponsored the City of London. allows the public to enter at specific times the prizes over a number of years has not In the Small Private Squares category, during the day. yet said if it will renew its sponsorship, Montpelier Square, SW7, took the top All of the gardens except for Eccleston so it is not clear who will underwrite the prize, followed by Egerton Crescent, SW3, Square, where Mr. Pavel Votapek is the competition’s expenses for next year.

Wealth sharing patrols 365 days a year to help rough excluded, disadvantaged and vulnerable sleepers away from the streets young people. (continued from page 5) w Resources for Autism - helping those w Marylebone Bangladesh Society - “The Westminster Charitable Trust has with autism issues which might lead to funding workshops for 60 young people made awards to organisations which are homelessness aged 11-19 who are already involved making a real, practical difference in w Intuitive Thinking Skills - a recovery with or at risk of getting involved with these areas. Cynics claimed a voluntary programme for former rough sleepers gang-related crime and disorder. community contribution would never which encourages people to go into The Trust is set to make further awards work, but here we have nearly £200,000 volunteering or work to organisations working in youth announced in grants which comes directly w Dragon Eggs Digital - a project which support and rough sleeping. It will also from the fact wealthy residents care what provides young people aged 18-25 be inviting applications from charities happens on the streets around them.” with opportunities to work with digital and groups which tackle isolation and Charities and organisations benefiting technologies and develop skills for the loneliness. from grants include: jobs market For more information about the w St Mungo’s - a charity which helps w London Basketball Association’s Westminster scheme go to www. Westminster City Council send out BOOST programme - targets socially westminster.gov.uk/westminster-trust.

18 19 A widow’s gift restored

his recently restored Victorian water fountain stands beside the eastern gate of Portman Square, W1. It Twas placed there in memory of Sir James Hamilton, Bart., shortly after his death in 1876, by his widow, working in partnership with the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association. The Hamilton Baronetcy of Woodbrook was created in 1814 for Lt. General Sir John Hamilton, who served the East India Company and later was attached to the Portuguese army in the Napoleonic Wars. His son James, the second baronet, seems to have been less distinguished, but may have been a pious man. His widow had verses from the Bible inscribed on his water fountain monument, including: “The memory of the just is blessed.” (Garden Square News readers should not confuse the baronetcy with the other 18 baronetcies honouring persons with the name Hamilton since 1627.) Portman Square itself was laid out in 1780 and some of the aristocratic houses that were built around it still stand, including number 20, designed by Robert Adam for the Countess of Home and now a private club. The 2.5-acre community garden Results of painthas a tennis experiment court (including netball lines) and play equipment for children and is Grade 2 listed. It forms part of the Portman Estate, which funded restoration of the water fountain. n experiment at Royal Crescent, W11, to find the best the honeydew by washing down regularly.” David Sugarman photos by Neil Osborn paint to use for garden railings has now produced of Metalcraft, the company which installed Royal Crescent’s A long-term results. railings, said he agreed the Dulux product worked best. S As noted in the Autumn 2012 issue of Garden Square News, the lime trees found in many garden squares produce a sap that is particularly damaging to railings paintwork. Railings Garden Square News sampled the water, and it runs clear expert Susan Walker of Susan Walker Architects teamed up and cold as originally intended. Animals are still provided for with Royal Crescent garden committee members that year to by a trough, although not a trough of sufficient size for cattle. try various approaches to painting the railings to see which – By Neil Osborn worked best in a lime tree environment. Ms. Walker said what worked best was Dulux Trade Metalshield Gloss, applied as per the company’s information sheet 512. “If properly prepared, this should provide eight years of protection.” Royal Crescent Committee member John Murlis said, “we used the trade Metalshield Gloss, two coats with a corrosion stop primer, and it has generally worn well. However, we applied it over an existing paint job without stripping back to the original primer. We simply washed the railings and rubbed down with medium grade glass paper to provide a key for the new paint. This does not give the ‘new railings’ look, as the final coat is slightly lumpy, reflecting imperfection in the ‘rubbed-down’ surfaces. However, we rather like this look as it gives the railings a personality of their own.” He said, “The only issue we have had is the effect of the lime tree secretions (honeydew from insect pest on the trees) on the paint, particularly on horizontal flat surfaces. This material is corrosive and over time loosens the topcoat. However, it seems that this paint is more resistant than most. It might be simply a matter of keeping the railings as free as possible of T S

20 14 15

69565_GS Newsletter 24Pp_2019_p12-24_30.5.19.indd 15 31/05/2019 15:52 Open Weekend VIPs

A GUEST appearance by Huw Richards in the Regent’s Park Allotment Garden, NW1, was one of the new features of the 2019 Open Garden Squares Weekend, June 8-9. (No, not Huw Edwards, the BBC News man: Huw Richards has built a reputation as an expert on grow-your-own organic vegetables and has a YouTube channel.) Helen Monger, director of London Parks & Gardens Trust (LPGT) which organises the annual Open Weekend, noted other enhancements to the popular event, praising the work of LPGT team member Anna White: “As well as arranging for cocktails and croquet in several gardens and poets provided by the Poetry School, she also secured…CBeebies presenter of Minibeast Adventures Jess French.” LPGT reduced the number of participating gardens this year, Conker harvest in order to concentrate on gardens that are not normally open to ON A SUNNY afternoon in October three members of the the public. More than 8,500 tickets were sold, compared with Pollen family, Zach, 9, Sienna, 5, and Camilla, 7 proudly approximately 7,000 in 2018. The 2020 Open Weekend will take showed off the bag of conkers they had collected in St. James’s place June 6-7. Gardens, W11. Zach estimated there were “about 100” nuts in the bag. The square has recently had to fell one of its six chestnut trees due to its poor condition. The remaining trees are being Tatania’s new role treated for two problems that affect chestnut trees - bleeding canker and leaf miner. Horse chestnuts in general in Europe are under threat from various perils and are now listed as vulnerable to extinction.

R E D MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM ACTRESS JODIE JACOBS PLAYING RAHEL EVENT DESIGN THE ROLE OF EGEUS, photo by James Miller PARTY PLANNING NEXT year’s production by the Shakespeare in the Squares company will be The Tempest and Sioned Jones has been chosen as director from a field of eight hopefuls who applied. Many will recognise PLANNING AN Sioned because she played Titania/Hippolyta in this year’s production Midsummer Night’s Dream. EVENT? SUSTAINABLE EVENTS Midsummer Night’s Dream added further lustre to the reputation has won in its four years of operation. Shakespeare in the Squares WE CAN HELP The play was widely acclaimed by packed audiences in 19 outdoor venues, up from 16 in 2018, with new venues in Camden Square, A BESPOKE EVENT DESIGN NW1, Cornwall Gardens, SW7, and Formosa Amenity, W9. AND MANAGEMENT SERVICE Ticket sales reached nearly 6,000. FOR ANY SIZE OR TYPE OF OCCASION

The company’s Patron, Dame Judi Dench, takes special interest WEDDINGS EXPERIENCED ADVICE in fostering the next generation of theatre goers, so efforts were FROM CONCEPT TO made to engage children in the fun of a Shakespeare comic romp. FLAWLESS EXECUTION Free tickets were handed to school children in Queen’s Park and Paddington Street Gardens, W1, where a special signed performance was organised.

The 2020 tour schedule is being arranged now and it is hoped CORPORATE EVENTS there will be yet more venues. Any square interested in participating + 44 ( 0 ) 7956 264 336 should contact the producer, Martin Neild at martin.neild@ HELLO@ RAHELEVENTDESIGN. COM btinternet.com WWW. RAHELEVENTDESIGN. COM

20 21 Jonathan Manns, head of planning at planning application so that he could take Bigger building developer Rockwell Property, said: “We control and make the decision himself. But Highrise towersare pleased that an agreement has been RBK&C filed a claim for Judicial Review, (continued from page 5) (continued from page one)reached regarding the Judicial Review and saying the Mayor’s order was based on She said,The disputed“The air pollutionbuilding levelsproject in thecalls for thethat demolition our proposals of canthe now be heard by faulty information. The Mayor agreed that areaexisting of the siteHoliday already Inn exceed high-rise the legal hotel on the Mayor.”Cromwell (Last Road, year the Mayor “called his original “call in” should be quashed, but limits.a 1970s The tower building project considered will only increase a local in”eyesore. the RBK&C Developers decision to reject the on April 23 of this year he issued a second trafficQueensgate in the short Investments, and long-term, backed and by investors including “call in” based on different facts.) willinterests expose individualsfrom from to Hong toxic Konglevels ofand Qatar,THE want GARDEN to build two SQUARE NEEDS Mr. Manns said the new complex would airtower pollution.” blocks, She one urged 30 the storeys Mayor high to and the otherSEPARATE 22 storeys, APPROVAL benefit both the local and wider community remembercontaining his "commitment749 hotel rooms, to doing 340 servicedIn apartments addition to theand planning 62 application, because of the affordable housing, the all housinghe can to unitscut pollution available and at help London socialthe rents. proposed The development towers would require reconfigured garden square, jobs and Londonerswould sit protect on athemselves plinth basefrom containingthe approval restaurants, for a landshops, swap under the 1931 “improvements to the public realm”. harmconference it causes”. and leisure facilities. London Squares Preservation Act for the Queensgate is a partnership between TheTheir existing original hotel, plans built wouldin the early have resultedreconfigured in a building garden much square. the Kow Family, Alvarium Investments, 1970s,bigger was and placed taller in thethan middle the existingof the one, andThis provoked will require some a decision by RBK&C,Not Hong knotweed Kong’s Peterson Group and Ashburn900 letters Gardens of communalobjection whengarden it was presented.which will Those be taken plans as a “KeyRESIDENTS Decision”, of HerefordDilmun. Square,Jason Kow SW7, is thewere CEO alarmed and when square,were fragmentingturned down the greenby the space. RBK&C The planningafter using committee the planning in department'sthe tall plant picturedFounder. here became According established to Bloomberg, in front of one proposedSeptember development of last year, would but re-assemble Mayor Khan systemsintervened for a aprior month public consultation.of the square’s housesDilmun this summer. is a “New Some York thought family officeit could with be anlater open andspace said of similar he was size taking to the controlarea of theWork application. on this is paused, The however,Japanese until knotweed,the ties an to invasive the Qatari plant royal whose family”. roots can cause destroyedCouncil by fought the Kensington that intervention Forum by saying,Mayor through of London a successful makes his significantdecision on structuralRockwell damage. is a major property developer HolidayJudicial Inn. Review, that it was made on faultythe information.hotel/residential The complex buildings.The householderfounded called by in Donal a specialist Mulryan. company to deal Mayor conceded this, but in April of this year he “called in” with it, and was told it was just a plant that looks similar to the application again. This time, working with the developers, Japanese knotweed. he arranged for more affordable housingmanagement within the project,issue with rats Asthat for feedthe presenceon a non-toxic, of true Japanese long life knotweedlure to bring locally, the BASHresulting in anTHE even larger RAT proposed structurein the binsthan and the enter one the gardensRoyal lookingBorough ofrat Kensington into the trap. & TheChelsea traps Parks are designedManger originally put forward. for shelter. Ian Ross said, “Fromto kill a parksrats by perspective a strike to we the do back have of some the KensingtonCllr. Johnny Gardens Thalassites, Square was thefeatured Lead in Member The for ecological Planning managementin Japanese program knotweed head stands powered but these by area CO2 small cylinder stands thatthat are is theRBK&C, Autumn 2018 said, issue“We ofare Garden backing Square residents allin the the way, Square challenging encourages rat-eatingsubject to owls proactive an treatment/management.integral part of the trap. We After treat each the Newsa decision for the by innovative, the Mayor nature-friendly to grant planning and permission foxes to againstinhabit the Japanesegarden. knotweedThe kill, we thehave trap with ejects glyphosate the rat, using resets a itselfstem waythe the wish garden of the is community.managed. What I’m followskeen to seemain new drawbackdevelopments of usinginjection commercial kit or by andrepeated is immediately painting of ready the leaves.” to kill again. A is thata description create jobs of howand generaterats are humanelyincome but rodenticidesthey cannot iscome that atthey cause Thesecondary Royal Horticulturaltrap will kill Society 25 times offers before extensive the cylinder advice dispatchedthe expense there. of residents, who have genuinepoisoning concerns toabout foxes the and owlson howthat toprey deal withneeds this changing difficult and plant,the long-life and provides lure lasts an Byplans the for Kensington Kensington Gardens Forum SquareHotel.” on them. There seemed littleidentification point in servicesix months.for people They who are send human them friendly a photo and of a In additionGarden to Association having the case heardusing on the rodenticides grounds ifof we couldsuspected not avoid Japanese are knotweed designed plant. to be completely safe to use actingensington improperly, Gardens the RoyalSquare, Borough W2, secondaryCouncil, headedpoisoning. by When knotweedaround is present small children.on a property, homeowners Councilhas Leaderadopted Elizabeth ecologically Campbell, friendly also Afterhopes researching to be given the topic,are thelegally Square required toAn report integral this part when of the houseprogram is upis thefor Kpermissiontechnology to challenge for thethe Mayorcontrol for failingemployed in hiscutting-edge duty to technologysale. Insurance to coverageremoval can of be the affected. food source so residents of consult,rodents. to give reasons for his decision, controland to notrats frustratewithout resortingLocations to the of theof theplant Square in the took Royal it upon Borough themselves and theto Thelegitimate Square expectations. has communal rubbish bins use of poison. The SquareCity uses of A34 Westminster rat block can upbe foundthe bung on holesa map in compiled the bottom by the of and these are a constant source of food traps developed by Good NatureEnvironment (https:// Agency,the communalwww.planttracker.org.uk/map/knotweed bins that allow easy access for any rodent. The result is an ongoing goodnaturetraps.co.uk). These devices rely for rats to crawl inside and feed in safety.

Garden Square News is an independent publication designed to provide garden committees and garden square residents with informa- tion about communal gardens and their surrounding areas. All articles, except where noted, are written by Holly Smith, Editor and Publisher. Letters, subscriptions, and advertising queries should be sent to: Holly Smith Garden Square News c/o Dhawan News 155 Old Brompton Rd, London SW5 0LJ Subscriptions for garden committees are £55 per year. Individual subscriptions are £20 per year. Back issues are £3 each, with special prices for large orders. Edited in Moscow, Washington and London. © 2019 by Holly Smith www.gardensquarenews.com

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69565_GS Newsletter 24Pp_2019_p12-24_30.5.19.indd 22 31/05/2019 15:52

22 23 Heythrop College decision appealed

The luxury retirement complex proposed for the area behind the southern side of Kensington Square, W8, has been turned down by Deputy London Mayor Jules Pipe. The development would stand on a 2.6-acre site, known as Heythrop College, which housed college-linked buildings once owned by Jesuits of Britain. It would have been one of the largest individual housing developments in Kensington in the last 10 years (GSN Spring 2018). The plans were approved by the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea’s Planning Committee last year, but the Mayor’s planning office ruled on April 23 that the proposals didn’t contain enough affordable housing. They recommended that the Royal Borough should work with the developers, Westbourne Capital Partners, to maximise affordable housing across the site. However, Westbourne is appealing the decision. Johnny Sandelson, a director of Westbourne, told Garden Square News, “We are really excited about our plans for Heythrop College. The mayor’s decision has had the effect of delaying our plans until the outcome of the appeal, but we remain very confident of a positive outcome and the future development.” The appeal will be made to housing secretary James Brokenshire. Artist’s view of a central garden within the project.

STOP Residential & Estate the use of your garden by unauthorised visitors Management Specialists Have your garden gates fitted with an electronic Across Greater London access system by: 020 7389 1500 PES SOUTHERN LTD. TEL: 020 8393 0294 • Service charge budgeting [email protected] and administration www.pessouthern.co.uk • Rent collection and client accounting • Planned property maintenance 35 Communal Gardens already completed • Qualified property London’s Royal Parks have been enriching people’s lives for more than 500 years. management professionals Commercial - Residential Locksmiths Please help us support their magic for generations to come by leaving a gift in your will. • Health and safety co-ordination • Regular property inspections SupportTheRoyalParks.org Old Police House, Hyde Park, London W2 2UH Registered charity 1097545 • Building consultancy • Estate management Buildings and fire insurance valuation • • Service provision and maintenance contracts • ARMA-Q members • Concierge or building manager services FifthStreet Management Ltd • Regulated by RICS Chartered Surveyors • Company secretarial services Managing Agents • Leasehold enfranchisement and valuation The Managers of quality residential property • 24/7 Emergency service in Knightsbridge, Belgravia, Chelsea, Kensington, Mayfair and other parts of Central London. Please telephone, email or write for information including our brochure. making property work Robert OakeyAlan FRICS, Porter AlanMA MRICSPorter MA MRICS Venture House Bob Baldwin, Maggie Baldwin 27–29 Glasshouse Street London KINGSTON HOUSE NORTH, PRINCE’S GATE, LONDON SW7 1LN W1B 5DF Tel: 020 7225 3512 Fax: 020 7225 1166 020 7389 1500 Email: sales@fi fthst.co.uk Residential Management: [email protected] Valuations: [email protected] Building surveying: [email protected]

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LONDON GARDENS 69565_GS Newslettergarden 24Pp_2019_P1-11__31_5_19.indd 11 associates SOCIETY AWARDS 2019 31/05/2019 15:50 Guildhall, October 10

We are proud to have won top prizes for six of the gardens we are responsible for and want to 22 23 thank the garden committees who have worked with us to achieve these results.

SMALL PRIVATE SQUARE 1st Montpelier Square 2nd Egerton Crescent 3rd Kensington Gate

LARGE PRIVATE SQUARE 1st Pembridge Square 3rd Hyde Park Gardens

LARGE PUBLIC SQUARE 1st St. James’s Square

Out of our team of 20 gardeners in Garden Associates, five are pictured here at the London Gardens Society Awards evening on October 10. Left to right: Veronica Mueller-Schloer, Peter Beagley, Peter Shaw, Rob Player and George Player.

For advice and quotations contact Robert Player Mob: 07710 809584 Office: 01923 238765

22 23 Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, UK / Given by Mr C C Croggon, 1976 / Bridgeman Images St. James’s Square, 1806 Dive into the Watercolour World THE RECENTLY created website Watercolour World (www. The painting of St. James’s Square, SW1, pictured here, gives watercolourworld.org) is a collection of pre-1900 documentary a taste of how engaging these works of art can be. The watercolours gathered from sources all over the globe. They watercolour over pencil on paper was painted around 1806 by capture a variety of places and subjects in a world before cameras Dr. Thomas Pole and depicts a view of the entrance of 14 St. became common. Because of the fragile nature of watercolours, James’s Square from York Street, with two gardeners at work. A many have been stored away from sight and are only now available close look through the arch shows a woman walking along the for easy public viewing. street holding an umbrella. It is part of the Bristol Museum and As well as being beautiful, they provide evidence of how the Art Gallery’s collection. world used to be. Landscapes and portraits shed light on Watercolour World’s collection of scanned images of these topography, anthropology, botany, people, and historic events. antique treasures is ongoing – the public is urged to keep their The material is absorbing: as one of the compilers of the eyes open for watercolours “of note” that might be useful to add website said, “Take a look at the site but beware, you might be in to the ones already being shown, and to contact the organisers there for a long time.” if they find one. The collection is the brainchild of former British diplomat Volunteers are also being sought to help with the project, Fred Hohler, and was launched at the beginning of the year with including those who will offer their detective skills to identify some 80,000 images. what scene a painting depicts.

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