FRIENDS OF QUEEN'S WOOD February Newsletter 2023

www.fqw.org.uk

Sunday 19 March
2.00 pm: Geology walk
round the wood with Diana Clements, Geologist. Diana is editor of ‘The Geology of London’ and involved in the London Geodiversity project. She will show us the Claygate beds in Queen’s Wood and the effect of the nearby Finchley Glacier. Meet outside the café, off Muswell Hill Road.

Sunday 16 April
2.00pm: Wild Flower walk looking at flowers and other plants in the wood with Caroline Beattie, Botanist. Last year Caroline found a long list of plants. Will there be more or less this year? Meet at the café, off Muswell Hill Road.

Wood forgetmenots

Saturday 22 April
5.00 and 7.00am: Bird walks. Two early morning bird watching walks with David Darrell-Lambert. Essential to book a place at membership@fqw.org.uk. Families welcome.

Redwing - photo David Darrell-Lambert

FLOOD MITIGATION SCHEME
Previous newsletters have described how joint working on the proposed flood scheme in the wood stopped abruptly last summer. Analysis had apparently shown that the scheme would not provide the required benefits and it would need to be reconsidered. Despite the council’s avowed policy of ‘co-production’, the Friends have not been involved, issues then outstanding have never been answered and new requests have simply been ignored. This position is not acceptable and we will now be involving our local councillors.

The only thing we now know is that the Council is looking specifically at the role that the wall inside the Wood Vale entrance would play in any scheme. As part of this there is to be an investigation of the design, strength and condition of the wall and its foundations. This is expected to take place between 9 and 14 March. Several 1.2m deep trial pits will be hand-dug next to the wall. There will also be some nearby small boreholes to take soil samples for testing, using the rig in the picture.

Drilling rig
photo - Southern Testing

Retaining wall at Wood Vale entrance

In itself, this relatively small investigation should not cause significant problems to the users of the entrance. Nor, if it is shown to be adequate, is it expected that there would be problems with the continued use of the existing wall to reduce flooding.

However the wall has been overtopped before in very heavy rain such as that in July 2021, so in itself it would not give all the flood relief sought. Far more extensive works in this area may now be proposed, which could cause significant problems to the wood and probably be unacceptable to us.

CAN YOU HELP? As we try to protect the ancient wood, the committee increasingly face technical questions we are not always best placed to consider. If any members have a background in civil or structural engineering, surveying or hydrology and would like to help us, we would love to hear from you. Please contact David Warren at janedavidwarren@blueyonder.co.uk.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
We do hope that if you have not already renewed your membership or pay by standing order that you will do so now. For now, everyone is still receiving our mailouts but renewals will be needed. If you are not sure please contact membership@fqw.org.uk.

NEWS FROM THE WOOD

Haringey has obtained a grant for rewilding the ancient woods in the borough including Queen’s Wood. This is aimed at protecting the soils and encouraging regeneration in selected areas. These areas will be fenced off with chestnut paling in the spring so that further compaction and soil erosion does not continue. Notices will be erected explaining the situation. We are working with the council on developing the full scheme. A limited number of areas (shown in the plan) are being considered as a first stage for more immediate implementation.

Halo

You will have seen that volunteers have put protection round some of the roots of large vulnerable oak and hornbeam trees. These circles or semicircles, known as halos, need to remain in place so please respect them where you see them.

The wood anemones will probably be late in emerging this year after the cold winter. Pictures will be put up to mark their emergence so please avoid trampling the new growth.

Wood anemones

Voluntteers protecting wood sanicle
Photo Lucy Roots

What a change from last year, when there was concern that everything was emerging too early, but the bird song is getting stronger by the day and our volunteers continue with the monthly working parties. We are very glad to be working alongside TCV volunteers as they have equipment to deal with larger jobs. We are glad too to have a number of younger volunteers – more are always welcome.

THE CAFE
We are all missing the café with its drinks, food and lavatories. Although the Lodge looks rather sad at the moment we are encouraged by a notice recently put up to say that it will re-open at Easter after some refurbishment, though we don’t know details yet.

Lodge cafe

Snowdrops outside cafe
.

AVIAN/BIRD FLU
Members will be aware of the bird flu epidemic. If you encounter a dead or sick wild bird in the wood, do not touch it. Call the Defra helpline on 0349 335577 or report online at https:www.gov.uk/guidance/report-dead-wild-birds and please let us know at info@fqw.org.uk.

Photos by Michael Johns except where otherwise stated

WORKING PARTY DATES

26 February
26 March
30 April

Meet at the Lodge at 10.30. Tools are provided but please bring your own gloves and, if possible, a mobile phone to keep in touch with the working party leader.

YOUR COMMITTEE:

Chair John Dorken
Treasurer Michael Johns
Membership and Newsletter Alison Watson
Ecology Lucy Roots
Infrastructure David Warren
Arts events Jane Warren
Conservation and Management Plan
Sarah Graham-Brown
Social Media Laura Dekker
Volunteering Jonathan Samuels
IT support Thunder Raven-Stoker