The March 2019 The Spring Issue BushThe quarterly newsletter of The BushwoodTelegraph Area Residents’ Association Nature has many heralds plant it has of spring, but few are many traditional more evocative than the names such as first appearance of the crake feet, crow humble bluebell, writes bells, fairy flower, harebell, Richard Arnopp from wild hyacinth and wood bells. Bluebells are best viewed from a the Friends of Wanstead path, as they are easily damaged Parklands by trampling. Also, they are not These simple but stunning suitable to be picked. Not only blooms have inspired poets and does this prevent the plant setting artists throughout the centuries seed, but the flower spike will – and continue to give pleasure not last – it starts to droop almost today. Indeed, many feel the instantly. Most of our local bluebell has a stronger claim than open spaces are part of Epping the rose to be England’s national Forest, so bylaws are in place flower. As an easily recognised to protect plants from damage native plant it also has many or removal. traditional names, such as crake If you wish to include bluebells feet, crow bell, bell bottle, fairy in your garden, it’s possible flower, harebell, wild hyacinth to grow them from seed – but and wood bell. note that the bulbs take four Every April, masses of bluebells years to mature. Alternatively, create an intense blue carpet in bulbs can be bought from a areas of woodland. Those of us reputable supplier and planted living in Bushwood are lucky to during autumn, 8cm deep in have this spectacle right on our moderately fertile, humus-rich, doorstep. Bluebells grow in great well-drained soil that does not numbers throughout the nearby dry out. Do check that the bulbs Illustration by Helen Westerby, wooded areas but probably available to buy from Jo&Kesi, Browning are the English bluebell and not the best place to see them is in Road. Website - helen.roweuk.com the Spanish variety, introduced Chalet Wood in Wanstead Park, in the 1680s, which has much where brambles have been kept more open flowers with blue under control by members of the anthers and no perfume. Our Wren Conservation Group so the native bluebells readily cross flowers can be viewed at their breed with non-native bluebells best. However, they grow in great and the resultant hybrids spread numbers throughout the wooded quickly, out-competing our areas of the Park and Bushwood, native bluebells and diluting even though they may be less their gene pool. clearly visible. Each year the City of London Hyacinthoides non-scripta has a before 1600. flowering being dependent on arranges events to encourage range that extends from Britain Bluebells dislike the dense shade, the ambient temperature. The creative endeavours inspired by into northern Europe and south thriving best in situations where majority of bluebells are indeed these lovely flowers. Bluebells along the Atlantic coast into some sunlight filters through blue, but occasionally pink or are such a feature of our English north-western Spain. However, the overhead canopy before the white flowers appear. There are spring and, with so many close these islands are a stronghold of leaves are fully formed. T o reach usually between five and 12 by, do go down to the local the species, accounting for about peak flowering, they need the flowers per spike, all hanging woods in April to enjoy them in a fifth of its world population. light to produce more individual down in one direction with six all their glory. Bluebells are widespread flowers per spike. More flowers sharply recurved fluted edges Richard Arnopp and the throughout the countryside, means more seed capsules can be to the narrow bell-like flowers. Friends of Wanstead Parklands mainly in woodlands but along formed and thus more potential The expanding sharp, pointed can be contacted at their website the base of hedgerows too. Their plants in new locations. narrow leaves push their way - ww.wansteadpark.org.uk presence in woodland is an The majority of bluebell through the decaying mat of last The Wren Conservation Group indication that the wood is likely flowers open sometime in April, autumn’s fallen leaves. can be contacted by visiting to be an ancient one, established the exact date of maximum As an easily recognised native www.wrengroup.org.uk 2 March 2019 The Bush Telegraph Note The BARA Team From BARA Commitee BARA Road Representatives Doug Sheedy Aylmer Road The Chair and Membership Alice Haigh, 31 Barfield Road 11 Barclay Road Barclay Road Doug Sheedy, 11 Barclay Road Chair Andy Irvine Barfield Road Vice Chair Alice Haigh, 31 Barfield Road 37 Leybourne Road Beacontree Road Well, after a lot of anticipation, here we Sally Davies, 25 Beacontree Road are in BARA’s fortieth year. I’m sure you’ll Anna Davies Browning Road agree that four decades is a pretty impressive Treasurer Anna Davies, 21 Browning Road accomplishment for a small group of residents 21 Browning Road Bushwood who initially banded together to improve road Brian Hopson, 49 Bushwood safety in the local neighbourhood. Over the RoseMary Warrington Carlton Road years, much has changed in the area – but, Environmental & Planning Alice Haigh, 31 Barfield Road for my money, this is still one of the most 88 Mornington Road Colt’s Yard welcoming, friendly and sociable areas in Jan Osterley, 4 Colt’s Yard London! Kate Duffy Dacre Road As promised, we’ll be marking our birthday Social & BARA Website Alice Haigh, 31 Barfield Road with a big party. Plans are now well underway, 29 St Augustines’s Court Forest View and everyone is welcome. To help make it a Liz Maloy Jollands, 5 Forest View party to remember, we’re keen to hear from Katy Smith Grove Road anyone who wants to get involved, whether Safer Neighbourhoods Team Doug Sheedy, 11 Barclay Road it’s to offer a helping hand, or to showcase 37A Harvey Road Hartley Road your talents on the stage. We’re keen to put Andrew Shields, 9 Hartley Road our talented community in the spotlight, since Janet Lee Harvey Road you make BARA what it is. For now, mark the Katy Smith, 37A Harvey Road 23rd June in your diary and watch this space for Robbyn Linden High Road future updates. Doug Sheedy, 11 Barclay Road Despite a winter that never really took hold, Annette Loakes John Drinkwater those telltale signs of spring are already Bushwood Anna Davies, 21 Browning Road beginning to emerge. In particular, look out Leybourne Road for all the flowers popping up on local streets, Justin Leslie Joyce Quarrie, 67 Leybourne Road especially around the base of the trees on our Social Media Leyspring Road streets. They’re all courtesy of LBWF’s free Liz Hayman, 54 Leyspring Road bulb giveaway, and were planted by various Eleanor Ross Lister Road BARA volunteers. BT Editorial Helen Westerby, 50 Lister Road I don’t want to dwell too much on this, but Barfield Road Michael Road I’m sure you’re aware that there has been an Sue House, 32 Michael Road unfortunate spate of break-ins recently. The Fiona Sinclair Mornington Road police are fully engaged, but we can all do our BARA e-Mail Newsletter RoseMary Warrington, 88 Mornington Rd bit to help by remaining vigilant, reporting any St Augustine’s Ct suspicious activity to the police, and keeping an James Cowen Kate Duffy, 29 St Augustine’s Court eye out for our neighbours. Any other concerns BT Editorial/Design St John’s Court or observations can always be shared on the Lister Road Kate Duffy, 29 St Augustine’s Court BARA Facebook page. St Mary’s Court Just lately we’ve had a number of enquiries Kate Duffy, 29 St Augustine’s Court and requests for help from residents, Stanmore Road occasionally on subjects that fall outside of Tony Pamphilon, 28 Stanmore Road our remit. Your committee works very hard, Woodville Road and gives up their free time, to do whatever Kate Duffy, 29 St Augustine’s Court they can to help out. But they’re all volunteers, who balance their BARA role with all their other responsibilities. That’s why we’re always For membership, please visit your road rep to make the £3 payment and happy to welcome new committee members, or receive your discount key ring. If you would like to get in touch with BARA or just connect with other active members of the require further information on the area and a list of local services then please community. email [email protected] or visit the BARA website. If you haven’t yet renewed your membership, or you know someone who’s forgotten to renew Thanks to this issues contributors, particularly to, Andrew Shields, for writing and theirs, be sure to pop your £3 subs through a sub editing some of the articles and giving them some oomph. Road Rep’s door – there’s a full list of names We are always looking for Bushwood or Leytonstone articles, stories and ideas and addresses in every issue of the Bush for the Bush Telegraph. If you would like to contribute please get in touch with Telegraph. And remember, although we allocate the editorial team at [email protected] a representative for every road, you can drop off your subscription with any rep! If you would like to add your event to future listings or would like to be added Finally, I hope to see some of you at the next to the advert board then please get in touch. If you are a reliable local trader, BARA quiz.