Friends
of Darrick and Newstead Woods
Spring
Newsletter March 2023
A) Introduction
As a result of the last meeting of the friends we have made some considerable changes to the
personnel representing the committee. We appealed to the members to provide for
a succession plan, so that business could carry on as normal in the event
of the ill health or even the death of a
committee member or a volunteer. Several members have stepped up to shadow
Brian, the acting chairman, and Janey, the Membership secretary. Our thanks go
to Shirley Bryant who will shadow and share responsibilities with Brian, and
Martin Stone who will shadow and share with Janey Marriott.
We now have new membership on the committee and they
are already making a big contribution and introducing fresh ideas.
It is my opinion that there should be a continuous
succession plan and I look forward to other members stepping up to the plate.
We also thank Stella Geddes who is taking over
responsibility for a new website and blog. The new website has been designed
and implemented by Stella and can be found here friendsofdarrickandnewsteadwoods.com. The site now has a fresher look,
and we intend to update it every quarter with the newsletter.
A flagpole
was installed at the top of Tubbenden meadow to show
our newfound Greenflag status, but this was removed
by miscreants and to be found in a local school yard. After re-installation the
flagpole was removed once again. There is little that can be done to prevent
this type of nonsense and we shall have to live with it.
Owing to
the hard work of the workday volunteers the reserve is looking good again after
the ravages of the recent drought. The ponds have refilled themselves and one
of the sources of the Kyd Brook River is running through our reserve again, but
it regularly dries out.
At the
last committee meeting some members expressed their concern that the cutting
back, in the woods, may be a little too drastic, so we are going to discuss
this is at the general meeting. We are going to ask Idverde
to assure us that there is a sound environmental case for the cutback.
There have
been many changes which will lead to a better future, so that the Friends can
continue make a big contribution to the running of the reserve.
Trevor
Morgan
B) The
Kyd Brook by
Trevor Morgan
A tributary of the eastern section of the Kyd Brook
rises in our reserve but is not always running because of droughts. The
tributary rises in Darrick wood to run underground under Lovibonds avenue then
into Tugmutton common. In Tugmutton
it joins other tributaries to run through channels across the common and then
through a tunnel under Crofton Road and into Crofton woods where the stream
forms the Eastern branch of the Kyd Brook.
The Kyd Brook travels onward through Petts Wood and
Chislehurst but much of its course has been altered by developments to see it
run through culverts, channels and tunnels. The Kyd
Brook, however, can be seen as a minor river flowing above ground through the Hawkwood Estate.
Eventually, the Kyd Brook runs through Grove Park and Mottingham to join the Quaggy river. The Quaggy flows
through Lewisham to join the Ravensbourne, which itself is a tributary of the
Thames to join this world-famous river at Deptford Creek. The London area is a
complex network of streams, brooks and rivers flowing into the Thames but these
tributaries are rarely seen and go by unnoticed by the general population.
Every time that I run or walk through Darrick Woods my
imagination runs wild, especially when I see the Kyd Brook flowing after heavy
rain. I go back 200 years in my minds eye to 1823. This was before
industrialisation really got started in the suburbs of London. There were no
housing estates and very few industrial sites.
I could see myself walking along the river which was
flowing more strongly at the edge of the woods; I could hear the beautiful song
of the Nightingale even though it was well hidden. The Cuckoos cried out to one
another across the fields. I could see and hear Turtle Doves: these iconic
birds have all but disappeared as have the Song and Mistle Thrushes.
When I crossed the meadows they were full of flowers,
with Primroses, Cowslips, Celandines and Orchids depending upon the season. The
meadows were filled with bright colours and perfumes. The air was filled with
|butterflies and other insects which created a haze above the fields.
The river itself supported many mammals including
Water Voles, and Otters where it was deeper. The riverbanks were replete with
the flashing colours of Kingfishers because the river was full of small fish.
The woods were full of Red Squirrels rather than
Greys. Above, the woods were quartered by copious numbers of Buzzards and Red
Kites which, fortunately, are making a comeback in recent times.
As the Sun set on the woods, I could hear Tawny Owls
calling to one another and see Barn Owls starting to hunt and at the edge of
the foliage. Bats were silently hunting the thousands of flies dancing in the
air, but occasionally when one flew by very close, I could feel and hear the beat
of its wings.
On clear nights I could look up and see every star of
the major constellations.
And, at the right time of year, I could see the
Andromeda galaxy stretching across the sky as a nebula covering much more space
than the full moon. The Andromeda galaxy is more than 2 million light years
away. I must use binoculars, now, to see a diminished blur, but when I
occasionally visit a dark sky site and see Andromeda in all its glory I am
filled with awe.
Unfortunately, nowadays, the effects of industrialisation,
development and rapid population growth have seen many of the delights of
nature disappearing. We now have a duty to protect what is left and we have it
in our power to restore what we have lost, to allow our young people to
appreciate and study the full wonders of nature. The beautiful sight of
Andromeda awaits them in the dark skies over Orpington, to fill them full of
hope.
Future Events
Thursdays 10.00-1200 hrs:
The Darrick Wood work day takes place weekly and
is led by Idverde UK. See Notice board for assembly
location.
Links and Contacts
Useful
Numbers
Ward Security 0845
847 6180
Willow Wild Life 0795
647 2284
Fox Project 01892
731 565
RSPCA 0300
1234 999
High Elms Rangers 01689
862 815
Safer Neighbourhood Team 07920 233 856
Websites
Friends of High Elms:
www.highelmscountrypark.btck.co.uk/
Friends of Jubilee Country Park:
www.jubileecountrypark.btck.co.uk/
Friends of Keston Common:
www.friendsofkestoncommon.btck.co.uk/
Friends Forum: www.bromleyfriendsforum.org/
Friends of Darrick & Newstead Woods
email address
Membership Form
Membership of the Friends of Darrick & Newstead Woods
includes the whole household. If you would like to join, please complete the
slip below and send it to: Friends of Darrick & Newstead Woods, 3 Ivy
Close, Westergate, Chichester, West Sussex PO20 3RF
There is no subscription, but donations will be most
welcome. All money will be used to
support the work of the Friends: sending
information, publicity for Friends events, and other activities. Please make sure that all members of the
family who wish to be included are listed.
Please make cheques payable to Friends of Darrick and Newstead
Woods and write your address on the back.
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