• Apr 22, 2017 from 11:00am to 3:00pm
  • Location: Pond enclosure near the Winton Ave/Bidwell Gardens entrance at Albert Road Recreation Ground, Albert Road, N22.
  • Latest Activity: Apr 17, 2017

We have a ‘planting and plugging’ day at the pond enclosure at the Winton/Bidwell corner of Albert Recreation Ground on Saturday 22nd April, 11am - 3pm.

The pond was jointly planned by The Conservation Volunteers, (TCV) and Haringey Council back in 2012, work was organised by Froglife and carried out by Ponds UK in August 2016. Unfortunately, due to holidays, key officers on long term sick leave, very poor communication and the natural lack of growth over winter the pond enclosure remained neglected, looking like a muddy ditch surrounded by mounds of earth.

With the spring some wild flowers and grass has grown but we need to plant more and weed out what shouldn’t be there. The pond appears to have a leak. We are letting the water level drop and Alan Shearman from Froglife has arranged for the delivery of Bentonite clay to spread on the exposed area which will plug any gap when we will refill it on the same day, 22nd April. We will also be planting lily pads, oxygenating plant 'bombs', water mint etc and wild flower and grasses for the seating mounds.

Please bring along your garden tools (marked with your address), your wellies, your energy & enthusiasm! Alan will be providing information packs and education on the types of reptiles, bees, butterflies & birds that we are trying to attract.

The next stage is making sure that people know this area is open for young & old (but no dogs) and the grass and mounds are for sitting on – it’s an area for play and picnics. Later on we will also be planting hedges and native fruit trees to make it into a wildlife area.

We have a very small park on our doorstep & we are aiming to use every spare inch to maximise its use. 

Do come along on the 22nd if you have the time or inclination.

And let us know that you are coming so we have enough information packs for everyone.

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Comments

  • Thank you Sara
    Sounds a lovely pond. I'll check out your point about transferring tadpoles.
    The pond has now been filled with water and I'm hopeful that the project is getting back on track. Will update asap.
    Katy
  • Wonderful news to hear the pond has been filled today. I'm sure someone will be able to donate frogsbawn over the next week or two..
  • Good for Tadpoles!! and Robby and the Haringey Parks people, of course. I'm not an amphibian, and don't have any frogspawn - but was hoping to learn something about setting up a wildlife pond, which has been a longterm ambition of mine (somewhat put off by the considerable maintenance required, though ...).
  • Frogs fight back !!
    The latest update on the Frog pond fiasco is that Robby and the Haringey Parks people have filled the pond with water today. Tadpoles have moved in and are staging a sit in. Let's show the complainant that we value wildlife and bio-diversity by coming along to the planting session on April 22nd . Please bring frogspawn if you have any spare in your pond.
    Albert Road Rec extends a warm welcome to all amphibians !
  • Froglife are doing this after just one complaint from a resident? That doesn't seem right! I assumed that it took time for the pond to become wildlife-friendly.
  • Unfortunately the Frog Pond project is now under threat!
    It seems not everyone is keen to promote biodiversity and wildlife habitats in our park. Apparently a resident has complained about the state of the pond to Froglife who have now decided to fill it in. This is very sad as we had a planting and maintenance day planned for April 22nd with local residents keen to help. The Conservation Volunteers had also offered to assist in developing a healthy pond. It's unfortunate that such a promising project is now likely to be abandoned. While the pond area may look unfinished at present with a bit of local input it could have become a valuable asset to the park.
  • Oh dear, the pond lining can't be very good if it's punctured that soon!
  • Thanks Annabel - unfortunately the pond seems to have drained into the clay soil so trying to get Haringey on the case asap!
  • That's great - an ambitious project for Haringey Parks and FARRG! Yes, I've put myself down as coming along on the day.
  • As I understand - the pond was in the Haringey Park Management Plan but work was actually done by Froglife. FARRG is involved to try and ensure that the pond enclosure is properly finished, planted & maintained. It will be a great addition to the park eventually - and new habitats/biodiversity etc is part of our aim to improve and enrich the park. Come along if you can!
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Events and Activities


May - June 2025

 

 
What’s on in May at Karamel, 4 Coburg Road N22.

 

Events at All Good Bookshop this month.

Wednesday evenings from 14 May to 17 December – new 5 and 6-a-side Football League at Christ’s College, East End Road (where it meets the North Circular), East Finchley N2 0SE, 8-10pm. Leisure Leagues.

Saturday 17 May – NLOG Plant Sale at Carey Hall, Winchmore Hill Baptist Church, N21 3PA, 10am – 10pm.

Saturday 17 May – Sewing Machine Workshop: next steps, sew a summer skirt with Stitch! At Holy Trinity Winchmore Hill, on the Broadway of Green Lanes, Winchmore Hill, N21 3RS, 10.30-1.30pm.

Saturday 17 May – New Alexandra Triangle Residents Association Info. Session at Palace Gates Triangle (junction of Palace Gates and Crescent Roads), 11am-3pm.

Wednesday 21 May – Stress Management: relaxation and breathing exercises workshop at Hornsey Parish Church Hall, Cranley Gardens (bottom of), N10 3AH, 1.30-3pm. Speaker: Kheiran Ponteen of Haringey Talking Therapies.

Wednesday 28 May – The Culture Club: children’s art workshops for half-term at CUFOS next to Alexandra Palace, Top of the Avenue N10, 10am. For ages 7-12years.

Saturday 14 June - New Alexandra Triangle Residents Association Info. Session at Anderton Gardens (junction of Palace Gates and Alexandra Park Roads N22), 11am-3pm.

Saturday 14 June - Lunchtime Concert at St. Andrew’s Church, Alexandra Park Road N10, 1pm.

Sunday 29 June – Famous Local Garden open for charity at 5 St. Regis Close, Alexandra Park Road N10 2DE (near St. Andrew’s Church), 2-6.30pm.

Saturday 12 July - Lunchtime Concert at St. Andrew’s Church, Alexandra Park Road N10, 1pm.

Sunday 3 August – Famous Local Garden open for charity at 5 St. Regis Close, Alexandra Park Road N10 2DE (near St. Andrew’s Church), 2-6.30pm.

Thursday 10 July – Bowes Park Community Choir: 15 Years of Harmony at Alexandra Park School (entry via Rhodes Avenue), 7.45pm.


Ongoing courses and activities

Gi Fumdamentals Course (BJJ Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) on Tuesday evenings in May at Alexandra Park School, 7pm.

Museum of Homelessness will be open from 17 April to 1 November, at the Manor House Lodge, inside Finsbury Park, Seven Sisters Road N4 2DE 12.30-4.30pm.

Illustrating Children’s books, course for adults on Wednesday mornings at The Green Shed, 1 Tetherdown N10, 10-11.30am. April 30 – July 9.

Geekstraveganza – regular boardgame meetup on these dates at Karamel, 4 Coburg Road, Wood Green, 1-6pm.

Em Power fitness classes – Monday and Friday mornings in OR Tambo Rec, 9-9.30am (term time only). The main focus is on core and legs.

Life drawing sessions – alternate Saturdays during term time at Rhodes Avenue Primary School, 1-3pm.

Painting for Pleasure – Thursdays at CUFOS Community Centre (the old railway station), Top of The Avenue N10, 10-12.30pm or 1.30-4pm. Jan 9th - March 27th.

Fortismere Community Symphony Orchestra rehearses Tuesday evenings during term-time at Fortismere School, 7-9pm. Get in touch for more info.

Fortismere Community Choir rehearses Wednesday evenings during term-time at Fortismere School, 7-9pm. Get in touch for more info.

After School Sewing Club on Fridays at Stitch crafts, 2 Hazelwood Lane Palmers Green, 4.30-6pm. Term time.

Bowes Park Community Choir - Thursday evenings during term time at Bounds Green School, 7.15-9.15pm.

Salsa Wednesdays – Wednesday evenings at Bounds Green School, Bounds Green Road N11 2QG, 7-8pm. 

V&J Ensemble: Vocal group for ALL Singers on Wednesdays at St. Andrew's Church, Alexandra Park Road N10 (corner of Windermere Road), 6.50-8.30pm.

 

All Good Bookshop has many regular events - book groups of course, also music, writing, yoga - and special events .... at 35 Turunpike Lane.

Many Music and Art events are held at Karamel, including Collage Kids performance events on Saturday mornings at 11.30am. At 4 Coburg Road, 

Wood Green N22 6UJ.

 

 

 

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