OPEN CITY WEEKEND, SUNDAY 11 SEPTEMBER 2022
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR ONCE-YEARLY OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE PARK.
HALF-HOUR GUIDED WALKING TOURS OF THE HISTORIC SITES AND VIEWS OF CANONS PARK, EVERY HOUR ON THE HOUR FROM 10am to 4pm (last tour).
FURTHER, MORE ACADEMIC TOURS WITH UCL HISTORY LECTURER DR. AARON GRAHAM,
LASTING 45 MINUTES AND AIMED AT AGES 14+, AT 1,2,3 AND 4PM
MEET 5 MINUTES BEFORE THE HOUR AT THE FRIENDS' STALL OPPOSITE
THE GOOD FRIENDS CAFE AT THE HEART OF THE PARK
NO ENTRANCE FEES, NO NEED TO BOOK
Every year we take part in Open City Weekend, a London-wide event where visitors can tour buildings and spaces that are often not accessible to the public. Although we are open to visitors 24/7 we only offer our tours of the park on the Sunday of this weekend, combining forces with nearby St Lawrence Church, which is so much a part of the history of Canons Park.
This year we are also delighted to announce that the private Seven Acre Lake at the heart of the Canons Park (housing) Estate will be open for tours on the same day, from 10am to 5pm. The lake was created for the Duke of Chandos when he bought and upgraded the existing estate in the 18th century and is usually only open to those who are members of the Canons Park Estate residents' association. However, it will be open to the general public for one day only this year as part of the Open City event. Access is via Rose Garden Close, around 100 yards away from the Canons Drive entrance to the park. Not to be missed!!
LITTER PICKS
We organise about five litter picks a year, from spring to late autumn. All litter picking equipment is supplied and we meet on a Sunday morning from 10am to 12pm. Everyone is welcome to attend but we ask that children under 14 are accompanied by an adult. Stay as long as you like but if you can stay til the end of the session there are usually a few nice goodies on offer in way of thanks!!
Next litter picking event to be announced shortly. Watch this space!
CANONS PARK GARDENING CLUB - next meeting 21 August 2022,
then every other Sunday until last meeting of the year on 30 October
We would love to hear from any keen gardeners who would like to work in or around the George V Memorial Garden at the centre of the park, to help restore it to its former glory. In 2018 we formed a small but very effective gardening club that now meets every other Sunday morning, from early spring to late autumn, working from around 10am to 1pm - although everyone is welcome for whatever amount of time they can spare. The Gardening Club sessions are very rewarding. So far the group have cleared many of the overgrown flower beds and planted bulbs, bedding and perennial plants. Why not join them and make a real difference to the garden? All tools and equipment, including gardening gloves, are provided - or you can bring your own if you prefer.
If you are interested in joining the group, please contact our gardening volunteer coordinator, Tony Bennett, at: canonspark@outlook.com for more information.
YOGA AND HEALTH WALKS IN CANONS PARK
The activities below are FREE but donations are very welcome. All proceeds to the Friends of Canons Park to help buy plants and bulbs for the George V Memorial Garden
HEALTH WALKS - 8am - 9am
Join the group for health walks and stretching exercises four times a week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 8am – 9am. Meet at the Howberry Road entrance gates. Contact: Herbalist, Varsha on 07730 979400 for further details
YOGA - 8.30am - 10am daily during Spring and Summer (weather permitting)
In the George V Memorial Garden, suitable for beginners and advanced.
TAI CHI 10am - 11am every Thursday throughout the year.
At the Temple building in the Pleasure Garden or in the George V Memorial Garden, depending on weather conditions
For further information, text the organiser on 07462 181878
Walk with a Doc (Dr Akshay Bhanshaly)
Walk with a Doc takes place on the third Sunday of each month at 9.30am to 10.30am in Canons Park. This is a FREE monthly community event. Walk with a Doc is an inclusive walking program open to everyone interested in taking steps towards a healthier lifestyle. Spend a few minutes learning about a lifestyle related heath topic, then spend the rest of the hour enjoying a healthy walk and fun conversation. It’s a great way to get out, get active and enjoy all the great benefits that come from walking. Walk at your own pace and distance (there is no obligation to walk the full hour).You don’t need any special gear, and everyone is welcome. Our walking groups are a safe, fun and FREE place to get steps, learn about health and meet new friends.
Contact akshaybhanshaly@outlook.com for further information or just turn up on the day.
(GMC Registration 6129427)
BIRD WATCHING WALKS - CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
The park is teeming with wildlife, especially birds! There are many varieties to watch out for and everyone is welcome to join the group, whatever their age or experience. Walks take place from 10am to 12pm on the first Sunday of every month except January (walk is on the second Sunday) and in July, August and September when the walks do not take place as the trees are too leafy. Meet at the Donnefield Avenue gates to Canons Park. All welcome! Bring binoculars if you have them and we suggest you wear comfortable shoes. Stay as long as you like and feel free to join the group if you spot them walking through the park.
HERE IS THE REPORT FROM THE MOST RECENT WALK WHICH TOOK PLACE IN March 2020
(In Canons Park)
7 Black-headed Gull
2 Lesser Black-backed Gull
Wood Pigeon - several
Stock Dove - singing & at nest hole
Ring-necked Parakeet - common
Great Spotted Woodpecker - drumming
Green Woodpecker - calling
3 Magpie
Carrion Crows
2 Long-tailed Tit
Blue Tit - singing
Great Tit - singing
2 Coal Tit - singing
Eurasian Nuthatch 3 singing / calling
1 Dunnock - briefly singing
REDWING Only 1 (48 on 2 February 2020)
2 Mistle Thrush feeding in the open grass
Robin - 3 singing
Wren - 2 singing
2 Starling – calling near Donnerfield gate
Chaffinch – singing. Male feeding under trees
2 Goldfinch
Greenfinch trilling near Donnerfield gate
(Bird species: 23. Total both sites: 35)
Grey Squirrels
Nuthatches very vocal.
(Private) Seven Acre Lake
4 Canada GeeseHerring Gull – 1 in flight
Lesser Black-backed Gull
2 Common Gull
26 Black-headed Gull
2 Mallard - pair
2 Common Pochard - females
2 Little Grebe
1 Great Crested Grebe- adult
4 Cormorant
1 or 2 Grey Heron (not at old nest?)
3 Little Egret
3 Coot
2 Moorhen
Wood Pigeon
Ring-necked Parakeet -several
Green Woodpecker - calling
2 Magpie
Carrion Crow
Robin - singing
Coal Tit - singing
Nuthatch - calling
Goldfinch in flight
(23 Bird species. Total both sites: 35)
FOX
THE BASIN LAKE, Canons Drive, HA8:
Canada Geese, Black-headed Gulls, Mallards
Moorhen
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR ONCE-YEARLY OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE PARK.
HALF-HOUR GUIDED WALKING TOURS OF THE HISTORIC SITES AND VIEWS OF CANONS PARK, EVERY HOUR ON THE HOUR FROM 10am to 4pm (last tour).
FURTHER, MORE ACADEMIC TOURS WITH UCL HISTORY LECTURER DR. AARON GRAHAM,
LASTING 45 MINUTES AND AIMED AT AGES 14+, AT 1,2,3 AND 4PM
MEET 5 MINUTES BEFORE THE HOUR AT THE FRIENDS' STALL OPPOSITE
THE GOOD FRIENDS CAFE AT THE HEART OF THE PARK
NO ENTRANCE FEES, NO NEED TO BOOK
Every year we take part in Open City Weekend, a London-wide event where visitors can tour buildings and spaces that are often not accessible to the public. Although we are open to visitors 24/7 we only offer our tours of the park on the Sunday of this weekend, combining forces with nearby St Lawrence Church, which is so much a part of the history of Canons Park.
This year we are also delighted to announce that the private Seven Acre Lake at the heart of the Canons Park (housing) Estate will be open for tours on the same day, from 10am to 5pm. The lake was created for the Duke of Chandos when he bought and upgraded the existing estate in the 18th century and is usually only open to those who are members of the Canons Park Estate residents' association. However, it will be open to the general public for one day only this year as part of the Open City event. Access is via Rose Garden Close, around 100 yards away from the Canons Drive entrance to the park. Not to be missed!!
LITTER PICKS
We organise about five litter picks a year, from spring to late autumn. All litter picking equipment is supplied and we meet on a Sunday morning from 10am to 12pm. Everyone is welcome to attend but we ask that children under 14 are accompanied by an adult. Stay as long as you like but if you can stay til the end of the session there are usually a few nice goodies on offer in way of thanks!!
Next litter picking event to be announced shortly. Watch this space!
CANONS PARK GARDENING CLUB - next meeting 21 August 2022,
then every other Sunday until last meeting of the year on 30 October
We would love to hear from any keen gardeners who would like to work in or around the George V Memorial Garden at the centre of the park, to help restore it to its former glory. In 2018 we formed a small but very effective gardening club that now meets every other Sunday morning, from early spring to late autumn, working from around 10am to 1pm - although everyone is welcome for whatever amount of time they can spare. The Gardening Club sessions are very rewarding. So far the group have cleared many of the overgrown flower beds and planted bulbs, bedding and perennial plants. Why not join them and make a real difference to the garden? All tools and equipment, including gardening gloves, are provided - or you can bring your own if you prefer.
If you are interested in joining the group, please contact our gardening volunteer coordinator, Tony Bennett, at: canonspark@outlook.com for more information.
YOGA AND HEALTH WALKS IN CANONS PARK
The activities below are FREE but donations are very welcome. All proceeds to the Friends of Canons Park to help buy plants and bulbs for the George V Memorial Garden
HEALTH WALKS - 8am - 9am
Join the group for health walks and stretching exercises four times a week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 8am – 9am. Meet at the Howberry Road entrance gates. Contact: Herbalist, Varsha on 07730 979400 for further details
YOGA - 8.30am - 10am daily during Spring and Summer (weather permitting)
In the George V Memorial Garden, suitable for beginners and advanced.
TAI CHI 10am - 11am every Thursday throughout the year.
At the Temple building in the Pleasure Garden or in the George V Memorial Garden, depending on weather conditions
For further information, text the organiser on 07462 181878
Walk with a Doc (Dr Akshay Bhanshaly)
Walk with a Doc takes place on the third Sunday of each month at 9.30am to 10.30am in Canons Park. This is a FREE monthly community event. Walk with a Doc is an inclusive walking program open to everyone interested in taking steps towards a healthier lifestyle. Spend a few minutes learning about a lifestyle related heath topic, then spend the rest of the hour enjoying a healthy walk and fun conversation. It’s a great way to get out, get active and enjoy all the great benefits that come from walking. Walk at your own pace and distance (there is no obligation to walk the full hour).You don’t need any special gear, and everyone is welcome. Our walking groups are a safe, fun and FREE place to get steps, learn about health and meet new friends.
Contact akshaybhanshaly@outlook.com for further information or just turn up on the day.
(GMC Registration 6129427)
BIRD WATCHING WALKS - CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
The park is teeming with wildlife, especially birds! There are many varieties to watch out for and everyone is welcome to join the group, whatever their age or experience. Walks take place from 10am to 12pm on the first Sunday of every month except January (walk is on the second Sunday) and in July, August and September when the walks do not take place as the trees are too leafy. Meet at the Donnefield Avenue gates to Canons Park. All welcome! Bring binoculars if you have them and we suggest you wear comfortable shoes. Stay as long as you like and feel free to join the group if you spot them walking through the park.
HERE IS THE REPORT FROM THE MOST RECENT WALK WHICH TOOK PLACE IN March 2020
(In Canons Park)
7 Black-headed Gull
2 Lesser Black-backed Gull
Wood Pigeon - several
Stock Dove - singing & at nest hole
Ring-necked Parakeet - common
Great Spotted Woodpecker - drumming
Green Woodpecker - calling
3 Magpie
Carrion Crows
2 Long-tailed Tit
Blue Tit - singing
Great Tit - singing
2 Coal Tit - singing
Eurasian Nuthatch 3 singing / calling
1 Dunnock - briefly singing
REDWING Only 1 (48 on 2 February 2020)
2 Mistle Thrush feeding in the open grass
Robin - 3 singing
Wren - 2 singing
2 Starling – calling near Donnerfield gate
Chaffinch – singing. Male feeding under trees
2 Goldfinch
Greenfinch trilling near Donnerfield gate
(Bird species: 23. Total both sites: 35)
Grey Squirrels
Nuthatches very vocal.
(Private) Seven Acre Lake
4 Canada GeeseHerring Gull – 1 in flight
Lesser Black-backed Gull
2 Common Gull
26 Black-headed Gull
2 Mallard - pair
2 Common Pochard - females
2 Little Grebe
1 Great Crested Grebe- adult
4 Cormorant
1 or 2 Grey Heron (not at old nest?)
3 Little Egret
3 Coot
2 Moorhen
Wood Pigeon
Ring-necked Parakeet -several
Green Woodpecker - calling
2 Magpie
Carrion Crow
Robin - singing
Coal Tit - singing
Nuthatch - calling
Goldfinch in flight
(23 Bird species. Total both sites: 35)
FOX
THE BASIN LAKE, Canons Drive, HA8:
Canada Geese, Black-headed Gulls, Mallards
Moorhen
