Chairman's Blog - Sept 2024

King’s College Cambridge has won widespread plaudits for allowing its iconic lawn on the back of the Chapel and fronting the river to be turned into a beautiful wildflower meadow.  That happened a few years back.

Merton had the same idea some 30 years ago when it allowed a large part of the grass on Cannon Hill Common simply to grow wild.  This includes the areas facing the houses in Parkway and Cannon Hill Lane. The result has been a profusion of wildflowers and resulting butterflies and moths.

My then neighbours in Parkway were scandalised by this decision and wrote furiously to the Council to protest that their lovingly tended garden would be ruined by the grasses blowing across the road. Fortunately, the Council held its nerve. The meadow is cut in late July or early August by combine harvesters, and the hay baled up and sold. It is a delightfully rural scene. 

My accompanying photos show the wild poppies and a harvester.

The Common is protected by a voluntary group of local residents:

 The Friends of Cannon Hill Common

This group produces newsletters and organises occasional working parties and is well worth joining. https://www.friendsofcannonhillcommon.co.uk/

We hope that you all had  lovely restful summer.

John Elvidge