Winter tidy up in Kings Norton Park.

Tidy for Winter 

(and next meet)

Thanks to everyone who turned out to tidy up the shrub beds ... we extend a very warm welcome to our new active member, Uncle Albert who saw himself in one of our display photographs in Kings Norton Library and thought he should get involved.  The photograph is the one featuring our last park keeper.   

Having been weeded and turned over, the soil is now aerated and gullied to provide some drainage.  The beds are full of winter interest demonstrating why the original design was award winning.  

Well we ought say, three beds are, the fourth, the crescent shaped bed at the end, although supporting a beautiful slender silver birch is otherwise failing.   We hope to plant this up with plants and grasses that are very water tolerant at our next work out which is, as normal, the first Friday of the month, the next being the 7 December, usual time, 11.30 am.   We will also mulch.

Hope to see you on 7th if not before!

This fungi was found growing next to the car park.. any ideas what it sis?

PLEASE NOTE:  

Next Committee meeting has been moved from Sat 24 Nov to Sat 8 December at 11.30 am at Kings Norton Library.   There is farmers market on the Green and book fayre at St Nicolas place that day... please visit too.   

Please join us if you want to share a cuppa and plan your Park ideas. 

Urban Walkout to Clent (10 miles)

Chosen and organised by Dee Whittle of the National Trust, to highlight  the partnerships and off site work happening that connect the Clent Hills and Millennium Green/ Three Estates - including Friends of Kings Norton Park.

We joined an urban walkout which mirrors the activities of the National Trust Founder, Octavia Hill 1838-1912 who was a great social reformer, who used to lead mass walks from urban areas into the surrounding countryside, believing passionately, that;

“The need of quiet, the need of air, the need of exercise, and…the sight of sky and of things growing seem human needs, common to all men.” 

Setting off at 10.15 am from Millennium Fields Kings Norton, a group of about 40 people, from various groups in and around Kings Norton, walked a rural route down the tow path of the Birmingham and Worcester Canal, alongside the meandering River Rea, over the wondrous Wasely's, up to top-o-scope of Clent Hills and down to visitors centre, greeted by warm fires and refreshments.



A unique networking opportunity and a first country experience for some.


Many of us never having previously walked a distance of 10 miles felt extremely accomplished, forgetting our aching feet as we boarded the bus home.  

Hopefully, the future will see many more events in Kings Norton as the groups link up and expand their ideas and resources.




Thanks to everyone who either volunteered, organised, drove the portable toilet, prepared refreshments, were stewards or first aiders... and took part.

Perhaps you would like an urban walk out?   Drop us an email.

Want to join a walking from Kings Norton Park?

There is an organised rambling group (South Birmingham Ramblers Assc) who meet regularly in Kings Norton Park and offer a variety of walks  http://www.sbramblers.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/


Northfield Environment Forum have organised explorer walks in the constituency ... there is a walk on Saturday 15 December meet at 11 am at Rowheath for a guided stroll around Bournville, led by Maggie Sweet.    http://ncef.btck.co.uk/LocalExplorerWalks/NORTHFIELD

History walks guides by the Kings Norton History Society are available too from St Nicolas Place.

 A Living Walkway

Willow constructing at Millennium Green training courtesy of the National Trust Gap Project with Catch 22 and Positive Futures.

Thanks to Mandy's great idea and joint organising with Dee, and Alf Dimock's environmental training skills a small group, in a beautiful setting under blue skies surrounded by bird song and butterflies created a living walkway - from a few strips of willow, one year's growth which is about 10 -12 ft long (the fastest growing tree)  and a couple of rubber bicycle inner tubes; a group of around 16 volunteers and just 4 hours.

A mathematically challenging feat, because we chose to erect it over a wet path, as willows absorb vast amounts of water so have the ability to dry up areas, that stands in full sunshine but was on a sharp bend. 

We calculated a 1 (inside of path bend) :  2 (outside of path bend) ratio of willow frame stakes which were bent to meet each other and joined to create a series of arched frames.  After weaving a lattice formation, to give added strength, we tied in 2 parallel spines along the tunnel top.    

The result an attractive and very robust structure which will grow its own roof and sides over the next 12 months.  With a little trimming periodically this will produce an interesting interactive feature which will by enjoyed by all ages and hopefully heights!

A great day, a great lesson. 

Now we have the know how... if you have the will we can find a way to build something in our park.    This would need to be done between October and March time, allowing time to source materials and funding.  Contact me if feel this would be a good activity and you would like to take part.   info.foknp@gmail.com