Monday, September 10, 2007

Planning applications for HLF work submitted

1. The planning applications have been submitted for the long-awaited works to be carried out under the Heritage Lottery Fund grant. These include "Demolition of existing cafe and erection of a new cafe, temporary marquee area, children's play area, improved access and car parking with various tree and woodland management, erection and repair of built features (including walls and ornamental structures), repaving and replanting." Also for “Felling of and works to various trees within Chiswick House Conservation Area”
System Reference: P/2007/2738. Planning Reference: 00176/E/P13
System Reference: P/2007/2739. Planning Reference: 00176/E/L14
System Reference: P/2007/2773. Planning Reference: 00176/E/TA3
The current status of these applications is that “The appropriate publicity has been carried out and where appropriate neighbours have been consulted. Please note not all types of application include Neighbour notification.”
These applications were received on 23 August and you have 21 days in which to make any comments. You can find further details at http://planning.hounslow.gov.uk/planningv2/planning_search.aspx

2. Open Day Sunday 16th September, 1-5pm
The last chance this year to come and visit the walled gardens. Of course you can still come and do some gardening (see below for work sessions), but if you just want to enjoy the beautiful and productive sight of enormous pumpkins and other vegetables, the stunning pink and orange dahlia beds, and the greenhouses bursting with melons and peppers, this is the time to make time. Bring some friends and come for a cup of tea and a cake too. This opening is part of the National Garden Scheme, and we are proud to be considered good enough for the famous ‘Yellow Book’.

Meanwhile the kids can enjoy the surreal Magic Forest, with its treasure trail of fairytales and strange objects, and the herbal maze. We look forward to seeing you there.

The NGS opening means all proceeds go to various cancer and motor neurone disease charities, so we will be charging £1.50 per adult (kids free). One of our founder members, Carole Weale, succumbed to motor neurone disease one year ago this week and is sorely missed.


3. Duke of Edinburgh sessions at the Kitchen Garden
These sessions, for teenagers will kick off on 17th September, 4.30-6pm. If you can’t get there at 4.30 sharp, that’s fine, come as soon as you can. We have room for about 10 students, and work is varied and – we would say that wouldn’t we – quite fun and satisfying. We carry out the sessions rain or shine, since we always have work that needs doing in the greenhouse. From half term sessions are held on weekends as the park is dark after school. You can start any time, so if you can’t make it on 17th September, no problem, you can slot in later. You are also welcome if you are not working towards an award, but just want to learn about gardening or do some environmental work. Please get in touch with Annette us at info@kitchengarden.org.uk to let us know you are coming, or to find out more information.

4. More helpers needed
We always welcome more helpers, and you can always come, without notice, to our monthly drop-in sessions. We are especially to hear from anyone with book-keeping/financial skills, since we will need a new Treasurer from late October.

5. Mid-week and weekend work sessions
From Tuesday 2nd October we will be launching a mid-week drop-in session. It would be good to know roughly how many people might come, so if you could let us know whether you might be interested… It would probably be some time between 10 and 4pm, with anyone welcome to come any time between those hours. All ages welcome, but any children to be supervised.

The next drop-in weekend work session is Sunday 7th October, 1-5pm.