It is still chilly – but there signs of spring with snowdrops in the park. Read below for the latest news on renovations & major garden projects.
From the 31st January, the York Bridge has been closed to pedestrians. An alternative pedestrian route is now in place via a temporary illuminated pathway – linking Marylebone Green to the Inner Circle and, via the Wildlife garden or the tennis courts, the northern part of York Bridge Road.
Please note that in the Community Wildlife Garden and by the tennis courts, dogs must be kept on leads. Vehicles and cycles will be able to access the Inner Circle via Chester Road. Cyclists can dismount their bikes to use the temporary pathway or access the Inner Circle via Chester road.
Matthew Pottage is Head of Horticulture and Landscape Strategy at The Royal Parks. He was previously in charge of the Royal Horticultural gardens at Wisley. Matt has announced his plans for the QMG rose garden. It is entitled Blooming Marvellous. Here is a summary:
“We’re making some changes in Queen Mary’s Gardens to improve the health of its famous roses. We’ll be switching to a new mulch made from organic material blended with woodchip sourced from Richmond Park. This hearty mulch stimulates friendly fungal networks and benefits the soil community, as well as the roses.”
“To help encourage growth and renovation for some of the older roses we’re changing our pruning techniques to cut back all the roses in late Winter, and some will be pruned harder to help improve air flow around the stems.
We’ll also be planting new rose varieties selected for their disease resistance, such as Rosa ‘Eustacia Vye’ and Rosa ‘Lady of Shalott’. In recent years, some of the lakeside rose beds have been prone to winter waterlogging, harming the long-term health of the roses. We’ll be grassing over these beds and replacing them with a striking row of summer-flowering dogwood trees, Cornus kousa ‘Miss Satomi’. Come back soon to see the plants in bloom”
The Royal Parks announced the progress in the development of the new garden in The Regent’s Park to commemorate the life of Queen Elizabeth II.
From the 30th January, works entered a new phase which will include the demolition of the Chester Road Depot, removal of hardstanding and below ground services as well as concrete crushing. Some of these works can be noisy, so they wanted to give us advanced warning. The works are set to complete by mid-March.
Thursday 29th May 6pm
The Danish Church
4 St. Katherine’s Precinct
Regent’s Park
London NW1 4HH
Topic ‘Fungi’ by Linda Seward of the Mycological Society
In this talk, you will discover the world of fungi—essential to life on earth. See the myriad of beautiful species in our local parks.
We look forward to regular monthly talks until the summer, usually held on the first or second Wednesday of the month, primarily for Friends (only £20 per annum to join). Please indicate your attendance as space is limited to comfortably accommodate about 25 attendees – with priority given to Friends’ members. Register via wildlife@friendsofregentspark.org to reserve your place.
We are looking for someone to replace our previous Treasurer Jody, when has since left the Committee after having a baby. (congrats!) It is not difficult work but you need bookkeeping skills. If this could be you, please write to Chair@Friendsofregentspark.org.
As we await the spring season, remember to wrap up warmly if you plan to visit the park!
Mark, Chair – Friends of Regent’s Park & Primrose Hill
Thank you to our sponsors
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Friends of Regent’s Park & Primrose Hill is a registered charity in England and Wales (no 1201666)
