Dear Friends
We are really thrilled with this addition and along with the other improvements to our park, ie. the painting of the Pavilion (by Merton) and refurbishment of the playground (partly funded by a refund of an item of playground equipment), we think our park has come a long way in 2014.
You may have noticed that new trees have arrived in the park in recent
weeks - all of which have been funded by you - The Friends of Cottenham
Park.
Trees
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| Apple Trees |
- We now have a row of four Apple trees on the short diagonal path leading from the south east gate which will make a beautiful entrance to the park in Spring when they are in blossom. There is one of each of the following varieties: Cox's Pippin, Elstar, Egremont Russet and Howgate Wonder.
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| Oaks |
- We also have four new oak trees (Quercus nigra and Quercus palustris Green Pillar) along the long diagonal path east of the Pavilion - one of which replaces the dead sapling opposite the playground entrance.
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| Amalanchier |
- There's also two new Amalanchier bushes along the west path wall - either side of the Yew trees.
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| Species TBC! |
And finally
- Another young tree (unlabelled - no doubt we'll find out what it is in Spring when it comes into leaf!) planted by the tennis courts along the Melbury path.
We are really thrilled with this addition and along with the other improvements to our park, ie. the painting of the Pavilion (by Merton) and refurbishment of the playground (partly funded by a refund of an item of playground equipment), we think our park has come a long way in 2014.
 |
| Newly Painted Playground Equipment |
Bulbs
We are also delighted to let you
know that we have just taken delivery of a large quantity of free spring bulbs
(Daffodils, Iris, Narcissi, Honey Bells, Hyacinths) which we applied for as part of
the Bulbs for London Initiative. We'd like to thank the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association (www.mpga.org.uk) and Taylors Bulbs of Spalding for these and
look forward to them bringing even more colour to the park in
spring.
The Gardens
More ever flourishing features we've enjoyed this year are our gardens -
including the two wildlife friendly corners and the Pavilion garden. As most of
you know, Jill Smith has been working on these for many years and all are now
looking very well established. (You will remember how bare the Pavilion garden
looked before Jill began to work her magic and that the two west corners were
completely barren, dog plagued areas where even grass didn't grow well).
Sadly for us, Jill has decided to hang up her gloves to concentrate on her
own garden and give her back a bit of a rest. So, we'd like to say a huge thank
you to her for all the hours, ideas and expertise she has given to the park, and
she should be very proud of her achievements!
Which brings us neatly on the the subject of Volunteers!
The gardens are in great shape at the moment, with bulbs and seeds recently
planted for next year so we are looking for some greenfingered and/or
enthusiastic people to help us maintain them. Do you have an hour or two each
month to spend weeding, pruning, removing leaves/rubbish etc? We possibly need
a team of volunteers - one of whom may wish to take a coordinating role to
organise everyone. Jill has very kindly offered to do a handover to explain
what she's been doing and what's coming up, and she will continue to maintain the new raised bed in the Cambridge Road Wildlife corner.
We really need a hand to get all our new bulbs in before Christmas so if
you'd like to join us, please let us know as soon as possible - many hands make
light work!
Thanks again for all your support.
Friends of Cottenham
Park Comittee