Category: Environment

London Fire Brigade – Grass Fires in Croydon

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Firefighters have tackled two simultaneous grass fires in Croydon during today’s (19 July) record-breaking heatwave.

Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters dealt with a fire on Oaks Road in Croydon. One hectare of woodland was alight. The Brigade was called at 12:07 and the fire was under control by 14:21. Fire crews from Addington, Biggin Hill, Wallington, Croydon and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.

Another four fire engines also dealt with a grass fire on Chapel View in South Croydon, where around one hectare of woodland and undergrowth was damaged by fire. The Brigade was called at 12:20 and the fire was under control by 14:30. Fire crews from Purley, Plumstead, Greenwich and Lambeth fire stations attended the scene.

There were no reports of any injuries.

The London Fire Brigade is under immense pressure as they battle several various fires across the capital. They are working incredibly hard in very challenging conditions.

The London Fire Brigade are strongly urging people NOT to have barbeques or bonfires today.

  • DON’T have BBQ’s in Parks or Open Spaces.
  • DON’T leave broken bottles or glass on the ground.
  • Dispose of cigarettes safely.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “The recent hot, dry weather has made the ground extremely dry, which unfortunately means grassland and parks will burn quickly when exposed to even the smallest of sparks.

“Common causes of grass fires include carelessly discarded cigarettes or matches as well as rubbish left lying around such as glass bottles, which can start flames by magnifying the sun’s rays.

“Every one of us can help reduce the risk of fire and keep our communities clean, make sure rubbish is safely thrown away and cigarettes are always properly disposed of.

“If you see a grass fire, don’t attempt to put it out yourself as grass fires can travel very quickly and change direction without warning.

“If you see signs of smouldering grass then please dial 999 and let us know where the fire is.”

For more information, see the London Fire Brigade Website: https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/incidents/2022/july/grass-fires-croydon/

For the latest news, check out the London Fire Brigade on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LondonFire

Gardening for Wellbeing with Lynette

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We are extremely excited to let you know that our Volunteer Lynette will be soon starting her Gardening for Wellbeing club at the Wilderness. Don’t miss this opportunity to join a relaxed and inclusive environment, surrounded by the beauty and tranquillity of the Wilderness garden.

We only have 6 places available. Be the first one to sign up.

The 5 weeks programme of Gardening for Wellbeing is aimed at anyone age 55+ living in the community.

The programme focuses on the benefits of growing your own plants: vegetables, herbs and house plants. At the end of the programme, you will:

  • learn the ethos and approaches to re-growing food
  • learn how to regrow food from scraps and how to care and manage your plants
  • learn how to propagate house plants
  • contribute to our kitchen garden
  • attend an art & craft with nature workshop

Activities suitable to all. The Wilderness is a wheel-chair friendly garden with accessible toilets on-site.

For more information, contact southlondon@mha.org.uk

MHA The Wilderness Garden Events for May

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Rhododendron in Bloom and Exhibition Event
The Wilderness garden will open on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd May from 10am to 4pm to members of the public to admire the beautiful display of Rhododendrons, Azalea and spring plants now in flower.

We will also host a photographic exhibition at the Wilderness Centre to discover how the Wilderness has changed through times. No need for booking – just turn up!

The Wilderness garden public openings
From Saturday 7th May until Sunday 25th September, the Wilderness garden will be open to the public on weekend from 10am to 4pm. No need for booking. Just turn up and enjoy the tranquillity of the garden!

Croydon’s Trees for Streets Scheme

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Croydon Council is among the first local authorities in the UK to join Trees for Streets, the new national street tree sponsorship scheme.

Trees for Streets is a project by Trees for Cities, the national urban tree charity, funded by the government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund. It aims to support the planting of more than a quarter of a million street trees nationwide over the next ten years.

The Trees for Streets online platform is easy-to-use and means anyone can sponsor a street tree in their neighbourhood by making a donation, and completing a few simple details. A request is automatically sent to the council, who then assess the chosen location for suitability. If the chosen spot is appropriate, they will make arrangements to plant a tree the following winter: the best time to plant young trees to ensure they grow and thrive.

Why are street trees important?

Street trees deliver a whole host of benefits right outside your door –here’s what they do for us:

  • capture carbon dioxide and produce oxygen
  • improve our health and wellbeing – both physically and mentally
  • absorb air pollution
  • improve air quality by acting like natural filters
  • protect us from flooding
  • create shading and cooling – so important in towns and cities
  • make the neighbourhoods where we live that bit nicer

Beyond sponsoring a tree, there are lots of other ways for you to get involved. Once each street tree is planted, it will need watering every week throughout the summer for 3 years to give it the best chance of survival, and any litter or weeds will need removing too, to make sure it thrives.

By donating your time (and water) to care for street trees, you’ll be contributing to a legacy for your community. It’s also a great opportunity to chat with neighbours, and enjoy the fresh air these trees provide.

Find out more: https://sponsor.treesforstreets.org/provider/croydon-borough

Dedication/Memorial Trees

We also offer Dedication or Memorial trees, which are planted in parks and open spaces.

You can sponsor a Dedication/Memorial tree in a selection of parks located across the borough.

A Dedication or Memorial tree can be used to mark the life of a loved one who has passed away, the birth of a child, an anniversary, can be given as a gift, or simply because you’d like to put something back into your community and your local environment.

It’s a great way to celebrate or commemorate any significant life event. Or just because you love Croydon and would like to help plant more trees here.

Find out more: https://sponsor.treesforstreets.org/celebration/sponsor-a-celebration-tree-in-a-croydon-park/location

If you would like to support us and help to distribute some leaflets in your street or locally to let others know about this new scheme, please email Trees for Streets at: hello@treesforstreets.org