Church House Gardens

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What’s happening to the seasons?

With the impact of global warming the traditional seasons seem to be getting a bit mixed up, with plants in flower when we least expect them! This will seriously impact insects and other creatures dependent on them for their sustenance e.g. pollen/nectar. If they cannot either adapt to synchronise their food plants, or find alternatives, they will be seriously impacted. Also birds, etc which predate such insects and will also be impacted.

So it was therefore very relevant to take part in a survey on New Year Day to find any such plants in our local parks. Led ably by our very own Andrea Deri, this was part of the national New Year Plant Survey organised by the Botanical Society of Great Britain & Ireland. Nationally this year they found 663 different species in flower.

More locally our stalwart team, duly wrapped up, braved a cold New Year Day very slowly wandering around both Church House Gardens and Martins Hill carefully looking for this plants in flower, some of them very small, Our findings, once duly identified, were then uploaded to a dedicated BSBI database, so contributing to the national figures.

New Year Plant Hunt attendees

During our survey we found some 38 different species in bloom. The most surprising one perhaps was the Broom plant found in flower. This is normally expected to be blooming in late April/early May!

Broom in flower in December on Martins Hill. Taken by Andrea Deri.

We hope to continue monitoring the plants found in our parks over the coming months.

You can find out more about the national figures HERE.

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Storm damage in parks

As a result of recent very high winds many trees were blown down, including some in our Bromley Town Centre parks. Three were toppled and one badly damaged in Church House Gardens. A smaller tree in Library Gardens was also blown down. Due to the hard work of the council tree team and their contractors, any obstructions have been removed. However it will take some time for foliage, where necessary, to be removed from site. In most cases these trees were blown over, despite being bare of tree leaves, due to the evergreen ivy growing on them allowing the wind to find purchase.

While bad news, it is hoped that other nearby smaller trees will eventually grow to take their place.

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LTA funded refurbishment of the tennis courts.

This is work in Church House Gardens, started on 9 August and could take several weeks to complete. This is part of a wider Lawn Tennis Association scheme agreed with Bromley council,  to upgrade several tennis courts around the borough. After refurbishment, access will be charged and users will need to book. It is understood that a number of free sessions will also be available. For more information please go HERE.

These courts have been in need of an upgrade for some time, as can be seen in the photo below.

Only the three tennis courts are involved in this project. The adjacent basketball court will remain unchanged. Some of the equipment in the nearby skateboard park is due to be repaired later in the month.

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Foxglove tree in flower

Foxglove tree (Paulownia tomentosa)

With the recent loss of a favourite old tree (Holm Oak) it is good to see a young tree showing itself off nearby. This is the Paulownia, also known as the Foxglove Tree due to its large mauve bell shaped flowers. These come out before the leaves, and make a lovely sight at this time of year. This particular specimen is located near the Church Road entrance to Church House Gardens. There is another much older tree elsewhere in the park, but it wonky has a few flowers on it.

The trees in Church House Gardens are well worth looking out for. So why not see what you can spot when you next visit?

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Our parks in winter

During the recent snow our parks temporarily took on a different appearance. While carefully negotiating the paths, trying not to slip on the paths o, our green spaces became even more magical. With everyone elsewhere busily shopping for Christmas it was very quiet. Inevitably over the coming days this changes, but our parks still remain a special place for both local residents and visitors – right in the town centre.