ISSUE APRIL 2009 7

Teddington Station fulwell Station approx 10 minute walk Station approx 20 minute walk to Bushy Park approx 10 minute walk to Bushy Park to Bushy Park

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Hampton Station BushyTelegraph approx 20 minute walk to Bushy Park 5 EXTENSIVE PARKLAND WORK IMPROVES 2 BUSHY PARK 3 ACCESS FOR BUSHY PARK VISITORS Over the last 12 months, a team • repairs to deer fencing around In addition to this, Portacabins have 1 of staff and contractors has the Park; been installed in the Woodland been working on an extensive • habitat enhancement in the Gardens to provide facilities for and wide-ranging programme Brewhouse Meadows, including the gardening volunteers who to improve access and wildlife creation of reed beds and some support the five Royal Parks’ HAMPTON COURT gardeners and contractors who PALACE habitats around the Park. clearing of overgrown parts of the ; maintain the Gardens. The work has been undertaken as • improvements to the vista along the “Regular visitors to Bushy Park will part of the Heritage Lottery funded- water in the Canal Plantation, which is no doubt be aware of the more restoration of Bushy Park and includes: part of the extended landscape of the high-profile restoration projects such RESTORATION PROJECTS • the planting of over 1000 new trees Upper Lodge Water Gardens; as the Water Gardens and the new 1 THE DIANA FOUNTAIN including oak, sweet chestnut, lime, Pheasantry Welcome Centre, but Hampton COURT Station • landscape improvements around approx 15 minute walk 2 PHEASANTRY WOODLAND GARDENS hawthorn and beech; these more subtle improvements to to Bushy Park the Hampton Wick Cricket Club the Park and its facilities will improve 3 THE STOCKYARD EDUCATION CENTRE • new paths, including a link path Clubhouse and surrounding area; and the access and experience for all 4 THE WATER GARDENS between Gate and the • the Diana Car Park has been visitors,” explains Bill Swan, deputy Pheasantry Welcome Centre, new 5 THE PHEASANTRY WELCOME CENTRE marked out to provide better park manager. path circuits around Heron Pond, 6 THE BREW HOUSE guidance to motorists and improve a link path between River Lodge “The extensive work to the Park’s the efficiency of the car park and and Ash Walk and completion of infrastructure and landscape has been designated spaces for Blue Badge a perimeter track at the rear of completed with minimal disturbance holders have been marked out Teddington Cricket Club; to visitors and wildlife because of near the kiosk and the Model the excellent working relationship We are currently focusing on raising • improvements to the path network Boating Pond. between the Park staff, on-site around the Diana Car Park and Make Your Mark funds for the Diana Fountain and for There has been a particular focus contractors and sub-contractors. Boating Pond as well as a new link education projects in the Park. To find on developments and improvements Foundation, the path, crossing a new bridge from the “Everyone we have worked with out more please call Clare Bowen to the Woodland Gardens and the charity for The Royal Parks, is raising car park, across Chestnut Avenue and has shown great flexibility which Pheasantry Plantation with a range funds for Bushy Park restoration on 020 7298 2139 or email into the Pheasantry Plantation; was needed to ensure that we got of new shrubberies being planted, projects. Since the last newsletter, [email protected]. the best results and that the work Alternatively, gifts may be sent to • maintenance and adjustment of new paths being added to the path blended into the wild and historic donors have generously given a gateways within the Park walls for Royal Parks Foundation Bushy network, fences repaired and rabbit- landscape of Bushy Park.” further £6,000. There is £367,000 still easier use and the complete rebuilding proofing in the Pheasantry Plantation. Campaign, Old Police House, needed to reach the £7.2m target, so of Church Grove Gate at Hampton Parkland work will continue during please help us if you can. Your gifts, Hyde Park, W2 2UH. Wick and introduction of a ramp for the year with the de-silting of some large and small, make a big difference. water bodies and improvements to

hoto: M ark B ridger P hoto: easier access; parking facilities.

If you would like more information, visit www.royalparks.org.uk or contact Bushy Park on 020 8979 1586.

If you would like to give us your views This publication is printed on paper on the restoration projects in Bushy Park, made from 100% post please email [email protected] consumer waste hoto: M ark B ridger P hoto: hoto: B ill S wan P hoto: M ark B ridger P hoto:

Chestnut Sunday

Bushy Park News Did you know... New Egator News from Recruiting The Ha-Ha fence is a landscape feature for Bushy Park first introduced in the 1700s, consisting the Friends With Heritage Lottery funding, Volunteers for Opening and start of a sunken ditch which was often faced The Royal Parks has been able to on one side by a fence or wall. This of Bushy & the Pheasantry purchase an ‘Egator’ for use by dates allows for uninterrupted views from Bushy Parks’ gardening volunteers. Home Parks Welcome Centre As previously reported, some of the major a house but stops deer or livestock This electric buggy with trailer is a The Friends have a wide variety of restoration and development projects are near to getting too close to the house or The Friends are looking forward to tougher version of a golf buggy and talks and walks planned throughout completion and there is now a ‘settling in’ period. gardens. the opening of the Pheasantry allows the volunteers to carry 2009, which are open to all. Welcome Centre in the summer. The opening of the Pheasantry Welcome Centre The Ha-Ha can be seen at the end of materials and clear debris with less On Thursday 23 April, the Friends The Friends will have a small area has been delayed because of issues with the Lime Avenue, in front of White Lodge. dependence on the grounds will host a talk “Bushy Park - providing visitors to the Park with flooring. maintenance contractor’s staff The Next Generation” by the information and offer free leaflets The Centre and the Upper Lodge Water Gardens Chestnut Sunday and vehicles. Park’s education and community about what to see and where to go. are due to open to the public this summer. The Egator is powered by rechargeable engagement officers, Hannah The desk will be run by volunteers The Brewhouse restoration has been completed Chestnut Sunday is an annual fun event batteries and an electric motor, and is Pritchard and Sophie Bryant. from members of the Friends. Opening times will initially be limited and The Royal Parks is now exploring the feasibility for the whole family and features a perfect for use around the Woodland Refreshments will be served from to weekends and Monday Bank of operating a micro-brewery from the site. range of activities and stalls. Last year Gardens as it is a flexible, robust and 7.15pm and the talk will start at more than 5,000 people turned out 8pm. The talk will be held at Holidays. The restoration of the Diana Fountain is due to quiet vehicle. St John Ambulance Hall, Park Road, start this spring for completion in the autumn. to enjoy the event, which included a If you would like to become involved, Teddington. Relocation of the fish from the pond is now marching band and displays of vintage the Friends would love to hear from complete, with many remarkable fish being moved cars and military vehicles. Details of this event and other talks you. The time commitment is likely to be one two-hour shift a month to the Heron Pond and ponds in Home Park. The The education team had a marquee are available on the Friends’ website and full training will be given. pond has been drained in readiness for silt removal. with fun activities for children including www.bushy.org.uk or contact Annie Murray for more information Please contact Rosemary MacColl Once the restoration of the fountain is finished, the the ‘Beautiful Bushy Butterflies’ fish will be moved back to the pond and angling on 020 8287 2748. on 020 8943 4814 or e-mail competition. [email protected] can be resumed. New members are always Don’t miss this year’s Chestnut Sunday for more information or visit the New signage and maps will be installed around the welcome, now might just be on 10 May. website at www.bushy.org.uk Park during the spring – the new map of the Park the right time to join the Friends is already available to download on The Royal Parks and ensure that you keep up to website www.royalparks.org.uk. date with all the work that is happening in the Park and have your say in future plans. Annual Have Your Say membership costs from £4 pa. To find out more about becoming The Royal Parks is considering a number of changes to the park regulations including: a Friend of Bushy and Home Parks • Introducing car parking charges in Bushy Park; please visit the website or contact • Lowering the speed limit in Bushy Park from 30mph to 20mph; Jean Smith, membership secretary on 020 8977 9391. • Updating where you can sail a model boat in Bushy Park. We are holding a consultation on the proposed changes until Friday 1 May 2009 and would like to hear your views. For a copy of the consultation document and draft impact assessment, The Future of Bushy Telegraph please visit: www.royalparks.org.uk or write to Regulation Consultation, The Royal Parks, The Old Police House, This newsletter was introduced at the start of the restoration programme as a London W2 2UH or pick up a copy from the park office. way of updating the community about the various projects as they started. As many of the projects are now near completion, we will produce one last Bushy If you need a copy of the consultation document in another format such as Telegraph at the end of 2009 to report on the official opening of projects such large print, please telephone 020 7298 2008. as the Water Gardens and the Pheasantry Welcome Centre.