Public Meeting - Cycling in Richmond
Zac Goldsmith, MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston, is arranging a public meeting on Wednesday 17 December, at the Duke St Church in Richmond at 7.30pm.
The topic will be cycling, and in particular the rising tensions between cyclists, motorists and pedestrians in Richmond Park.
It will be an open forum, and the purpose is simply to explore solutions to a problem that is raised by his constituents on a near daily basis. Full details are on Zac Goldsmith's website.
Rhododendron Clearance
Rhododendron clearance in the northern part of Sidmouth Woods and the Driftway has been completed. It has taken contractors 4 successive years to achieve the clearance of nearly 70 acres of this invasive, non native plant.
Following heavy rain in November the ground conditions in the Driftway are very muddy but it should re-open to the public in early December.
Later this winter it is intended to replant the Driftway with native trees and shrubs and in particular species known for their autumn colour and fruit will be selected.
Holly
Hollyis one of our few native evergreens and as such was used to decorate the home in winter. The berries of the female tree offer a striking contrast to the glossy deep green leaves and have always been a favourite for Christmas decoration.
The Christian interpretation of the Holly tree has the prickly leaves and bright red berries representing the crown of thorns and blood of Christ.
For a more traditional interpretation – the prickles and berries were associated with a medical use for dog bites and measles!
The market town of Tenbury Wells on the Herefordshire borders has a long standing association with Holly (and Mistletoe). Both plants grow very well in the local areas and the annual auction of Christmas decorations attracts buyers from all over the country. The plants are so important to local people that they hold a Mistletoe and Holly festival at the same time.
Starlings
Starlings are easily overlooked as noisy, gregarious and drab coloured when viewing an individual from a distance. Up close this small dark coloured bird is seen to have feathers that have an iridescent sheen of purple and green. When seen in large flocks they create one of our best wildlife spectacles.
During the autumn and winter, just before dusk, starlings form a communal flock known as a 'murmuration'. In Richmond Park a relatively small flock of Starlings communally roost in the Lime trees near Pen Ponds but elsewhere in the UK numbers can reach several thousand. When they are this large the sky will turnblack with large clouds swooping and gliding together – a jaw dropping experience for everyone especially if silhouetted against a winter sunset.
