Showing posts with label Welsh Harp. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Welsh Harp. Show all posts

Friday 9 February 2024

Let's go Wild at the Welsh Harp Half-Term activities

 

 

From Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre

 

Let’s Go Wild at Welsh Harp!

Come join us and explore the Welsh Harp Reservoir this February half term for FREE activities at the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre. These activities are part of the Community Roots Project (Brent) who are working in partnership with Thames21, Action for Silk Stream and supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

The Community Roots project (Brent) focuses on engaging with the local community (specifically non-users) living within 1km of our waterways and improving their perceptions of the water to feel safer, happier and healthier by the water. We champion the many benefits that our waterways offer and encourage more people to use and enjoy them by offering them free wellbeing activities in the area.

Let’s Go Wild at Welsh Harp! | Eventbrite

We have 3 different activities to have a go at – take a look at the booking link to see details.

Reservoir Explorers

Join us at the Education Centre for a guided walk to the Welsh Harp Reservoir to explore different plants and animals. Invite the tree spirits to play by making a clay face on a tree and create other woodland friends in our woodland craft activities. Ages 5-12.

Wonderful Water

Discover what lives beneath in the wondrous water environments at the Education Centre. View creatures living in our little brook then dip your net into the ponds to find out what swims below in our pond dipping adventure. Ages 5-12.

Shelter building and marshmallow roasting

Gather round a camp fire in the woods to roast marshmallows. Build a forest shelter and see if you can make it water proof! Ages 7+.

Sunday 31 December 2023

Drained Welsh Harp reveals its secret river - and a lot of rubbish.


 

After several grey days of leaden skies and rain it was great to escape to the Welsh Harp and Fryent Country Park today when there was a glimmer of something that resembled sunshine at times. Of course I got caught in a thundery shower with hail stones on the way home but that's the way the pickle squirts. 

The Harp is being drained to enable maintenance works to be carried out on the dam. The low water level has enabled volunteers  to collect litter and other materials dumped in the waters. Today a volunteer swan rescue group were checking out the swans now confined to the original river that was dammed. Its meandering course can be clearly seen.

Fish have been removed and the reservoir will be restocked once works are completed

 The danger of sinking in the treacherous mud is real - keep off.

 

The meander visible here


The river from Cool Oak Bridge, West Hendon


Debris under Cool Oak Bridge



Flooding at Cool Oak Lane

Philip Grant has also visited the Welsh Harp recently and has kindly given me permission to post these photographs from the Neasden side:


 The view from Neasden Recreation Ground looking towards the dam and sailing club

Mid reservoir view from the south bank to the rural looking north bank


 Looking towards the controversial West Hendon development


 The meander from the south bank

Thursday 5 October 2023

Maintenance work to start at the end of the month on Welsh Harp Reservoir - including fully draining it and fish rescue

 

The Welsh Harp (Brent Reservoir) from the dam

From the Canal and River Trust

Towards the end of October, we are planning to carry out a five-month programme of essential maintenance work at Brent Reservoir Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), also known as the Welsh Harp.

What will this include?

The reservoir works, which are supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery, will include repairs to the chains and rods that operate the reservoir's sluices; and repainting the Valve House Tower from where the sluice gates which control the water levels in the reservoir are operated.

To complete the statutory works, which are required under the Reservoir Act 1975 and were identified during an inspection in 2021, the reservoir will need to be fully drained.

A fish rescue will be carried out whilst the reservoir is being drained. As well as employing our own dredging contractor to clear debris from the reservoir, we are planning to work with volunteers and our partners to clear the rubbish that is expected to be revealed when water levels are reduced.

A significant urban wild space

Ros Daniels, our director for London & South East, explains: “The Welsh Harp, with Brent Reservoir at its heart, is one of London's most significant urban wild spaces. We are planning to carry out these essential statutory repairs to the reservoir's structures over the winter months so as not to impact nesting birds, including great crested grebes.

KEEP YOUR CHILDREN OFF THE MUDDY DRAINED AREA

“The Reservoir will remain open to the public throughout the works, but signs will be up warning people not to walk onto the Reservoir's drained area and mud.

“Sadly we are expecting to see a lot of rubbish again when the Reservoir is fully drained, just as we did back in January 2021, when we partially drained the reservoir to inspect the dam and Valve House.

“We’d like to work with volunteers and our partners to take the opportunity to clear as much of the rubbish that will be revealed as possible, and we are planning to launch a Crowd Funding campaign to help support that work”

A joint vision

Also known as The Welsh Harp, Brent Reservoir was built in 1835 to supply water to the Grand Union Canal. Today, surrounded by buildings and fast roads, it provides valuable green open space for people and wildlife.

Made up of representatives from us, the Greater London Authority, London boroughs of Brent and Barnet, London Wildlife Trust, Thames21, the Welsh Harp Strategy Group was formed in 2019 to work together to create a Joint Vision for the future of the site as a place for wildlife and people. The group is planning to publish its Joint Vision for the site on 28 July.

Timeline

Monday 25 September

We started two-week programme of reed marsh habitat improvements at the East Marsh, using our specialist contractor Land & Water Services.

Monday 2 October

Our Crowd Funding campaign is live, and we're asking for your support for rubbish removal once the reservoir is drained.

Monday 30 October

We plan to start draining the reservoir ahead of statutory maintenance works, including repairs to the chains and rods that operate the reservoir’s sluices and repainting the Valve House tower.

Wednesday 1-3 November

Our contractor Rothens will begin a three-day programme of debris removal from the reservoir.

Friday 10 and Wednesday 22 November

We are planning some volunteer clean-up events. People will be able to sign-up to take part via our Eventbrite links.

Around mid-November

We will carry out a fish rescue.

People's Postcode Lottery - Earth Trust

Sunday 10 September 2023

EuroBioBlitz at Welsh Harp September 30th - walk + training in making records via iNaturalist

 

Welsh Harp EuroBioBlitz Biodiversity Walk

Help us put the Brent's biodiversity on the map! 

 

Brent Parks Forum & Brent Young Wildlife Recorders are running a biodiversity walk around the Welsh Harp to try and record as many organisms and species as we can!

 

Where: Meet at Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre

When: Saturday 30th September, 2-4pm

 

Bonus info:

- hedgehogs may make an appearance

- pretzels will be provided.

 

This is our little event to contribute to the Europe-wide event running from the 29-30th September 

 

For more information about the EuroBioBlitz: EuroBioBlitz 2023 | 29 - 30 September | The Natural History Consortium (bnhc.org.uk) 

 

And check out the iNaturalist project: EUROBIOBLITZ 2023 · iNaturalist 

 

SIGN UP

 

iNaturalist 


 


 

Friday 11 August 2023

Residents urged to write opposing threat to Welsh Harp SSSI


  Route of new bridge across north marsh wetlands as they were in 1990s (IMAGE: COOL OAK)

Ben Watt, founder of the the Cool Oak group (Welsh Harp) has written a disturbing blog post LINK about the proposed 200 metre long steel and concrete footbridge across the Welsh Harp from the private estate that has replaced the West Hendon estate. 

This goes straight through the north marsh threatening breeding species and may also endanger the area's  SSSI (Site of Special Scientic Interest Status).

Ben Watt points out that this undermines the Joint Vision for the Welsh Harp that Barnet Council and Brent Council and other agencies have recently signed.

Brent Parks Forum is urging everyone to write to Barnet Council along the lines below:

Email Councillor Alan Schneiderman, Cabinet Member for Environment & Climate Change for Barnet Council at cllr.a.schneiderman@barnet.gov.uk, and Anne Clarke,  London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden at anne.clarke@london.gov.uk

Dear Cllr Schneiderman and Cllr Clarke,

We object to the new bridge due to be built over the North Marsh of the Welsh Harp by Barratt PLC. We understand Barnet Council has statutory powers under s.97 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to stop this. The Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 clearly states: "It is an offence to intentionally or recklessly destroy or damage the listed features of a SSSI or disturb its listed fauna, without reasonable excuse".

Unless the bridge is cancelled or the route altered, all of the signatories to the newly published Joint Vision for the Welsh Harp - which includes Barnet Council - will be party to the partial destruction of one of the oldest and most famous SSSIs in the UK.

Sign off with full address for your objections to be lodged with the Councillor.  Keep a record of the email. 

It is also important that Brent Council, as a signatory to the Joint Vision, also opposes the plans.

Wednesday 26 July 2023

Children, 'Let's Go Wild!' at the Welsh Harp in August. Lot's of exciting activities

 Let's Go Wild at Welsh Harp!

Come join us and explore the Welsh Harp Reservoir this Summer for FREE activities at the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre. These activities are part of the Community Roots Project (Brent) who are working in partnership with Thames21, Wembley Central Big Local and supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery. 

 

The Community Roots project (Brent) focuses on engaging with the local community (specifically non-users) living within 1km of our waterways and improving their perceptions of the water to feel safer, happier and healthier by the water. We champion the many benefits that our waterways offer and encourage more people to use and enjoy them by offering them free wellbeing activities in the area.

 

 


 

Junior Bird Watchers Walk

 

Join us at the Education Centre for a guided walk to the Welsh Harp Reservoir on a bird spotting adventure! Feed the birds and see how many you can identify. Ages 5-12.

 

Dates

 

Friday 4th August - 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Friday 18th August - 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

 

Pond Dipping & Mini-beast Hunt

Dip your net in the ponds at the Education Centre to see what creatures live underwater and venture out into the wild woods to see what mini-beasts live there. Ages 5-12.

Dates

Friday 4th August - 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Friday 18th August - 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m

Activity Detail

 


River Detectives

Help our rivers by becoming a river detective. Spot possible signs of pollution at the Kingsbury Brook at the Education Centre and see how much pollution there is in the water in our simple and fun science experiment that will turn water blue! We then go for a short trip to the Welsh Harp reservoir to test the water there too. Ages 5-12.

Dates

Friday 11th August - 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Saturday 26th August - 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (amended date)



Tree ID, Plant Art and Clay Faces on Trees

Guided walk to the Welsh Harp reservoir to explore different types of trees. We will create beautiful plant art and clay faces on trees. Ages 5-12.

Dates

Friday 11th August - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.

Saturday 26th August - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. (amended date)

Booking is essential for all activities so please register for all activities you wish to attend.

Location

Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre

Birchen Grove

NW9 8RY

LINK FOR BOOKING ALL ACTIVITIES

 

Wednesday 19 July 2023

Join in an amazing biodiversity activities-based afternoon at the Welsh Harp on Saturday July 29th 12-4.30pm


 From Thames21

 

Join us for a series of workshops and events at Welsh Harp - all designed to improve awareness of biodiversity and the environment as well as benefiting health and wellbeing.

 

Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre, follow the signs toward Birchen Grove Garden Centre
Birchen Grove,
London, NW9 8RY 

Get involved with offerings from: Let's Grow Brent (with activities running from a stall - come along and join us for potting, talks, demos and more), Forest & Family Stories by Moonlight, Brent Friends of the Earth, a biodiversity walk, Climate Fresk, Brent Scouts, Brent Body Balance tai chi, Brook Way Biodiversity Project talk, Lulubell's Wildlife Rescue, Brent (Young) Wildlife-Recorders, Harrow Nature Heroes and Friends of Welsh Harp.

To sign up for the individual activities, please choose from the add-ons. Spaces are limited for most events so be sure to book a place!

 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/welsh-harp-biodiversity-event-tickets-666747157697

Meet us at Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre - follow the signs towards Birchen Grove Garden Centre using the postcode above. Birchen Grove is a minor road off Blackbird Hill with traffic lights at the junction. Drive/walk all the way to the end of Birchen Grove and straight through the big green gates, following the signs to the Birchen Grove Garden Centre. Continue along the road a short way and the classroom building is on the left before arriving at the Garden Centre.

Public Transport:

83, 182, 245, 297, 302 busses pass within a ten minute walk of the centre. Nearest tube station is Wembley Park.

Anyone with known allergies to bits, stings, must advise us in advance via Eventbrite ™ - and bring their steroid pumps on the day.

If you have any known food or drink allergies, please bring your own snacks and drinks. We will have milk in flasks for hot chocolate at the last event at 3pm Stories by Moonlight, and also in the classroom tea area. Please take care to avoid consumption or contact. We will also have coco -chocolate and coconut milk powder that contain malto-dextrose. This may be an allergy trigger to those sensitive to these ingredients.

Dogs Welcome: Must be kept on leads and under control at all times within the main activity area. No more than two large dogs and four small dogs at any one time within this area. We reserve the right to ask an owner to remove their dog if it is not under control or suffering undue distress. Water provided: Please bring your own bowls.


Wednesday 15 February 2023

The Wembley Heron has not been seen since Thurday - please keep a look out

 

Barn Hill pond this afternoon with notice to the public

With many groups and individuals looking out for the grey heron that has material wrapped around its beak, I am sad to report that as far as I can ascertain it has not been seen since Thursday. Checks have been made at the various places it is known to frequent, including Barn Hill Pond and the Welsh Harp Reservoir.

If any readers do see it, please let us know with a comment below or tweet to @WembleyMatters.

If you see it use the rescue numbers below and give time of sighting and the precise place seen.

Many thanks.



Tuesday 14 February 2023

Brent Council places Tree Preservation Order on trees at Reservoir Cottage, Welsh Harp

 

Reservoir Cottage after removal of vegetation

 

The cottage and surrounding trees (Google Earth)

 

Wembley Matters drew attention to what looked like possible preparations for development at the Georgian Reservoir Cottage back in December 2022. LINK Some vegetation had already been cleared. There was concern at the possible loss of green space and habitat at the site.

Earlier this month Brent Trees Officer, Julie Hughes, made a Tree Protection Order (TPO) on a number of trees on the site. The Order said:

  • We have made this order because the trees are of significant amenity value and:
  • Contribute to the attractiveness of the area adjacent to Welsh Harp Open Space and car park.
  • Are important for their contribution to biodiversity directly adjacent to Welsh Harp SSSI.
  • These trees should be retained in any future redevelopment of the site.
  • Enhance the value of the street scene of Birchen Grove, views from the Sailing Club and the Welsh Harp car park. 

The temporary order remains in force for 6 months during which the Council will decide whether it should be given permanent status.

The Order means that no one is allowed to cut down, top or lop without Brent's permission any of the trees described in the 1st schedule of the order and include a willow, yew tree and 9 oak trees.

 


 


Saturday 10 December 2022

What's happening at Reservoir Cottage, Welsh Harp?

 

Reservoir Cottage om Birchen Grove, next to to the Wembley Sailing Club and the Welsh Harp itself, has been hidden from view for many years by trees and vegetation.


In fact on the way to my Birchen Grove allotment I have in the past found delivery people wandering around searching for the entrance.

That changes in July ths year when the cottage was sold by auction. The first bid was £425,000 but that quickly rose to £50K and £60k finally being sold for £644,000.

The cottage itself from pictures on the auction site LINK is not in very good condition but the site is quite large as this image shows - the border is in red.


 


The clue may be in this statement on the auction site:

This property / site may be suitable for redevelopment subject to obtaining the necessary consents. Prospective purchasers should rely on their own enquiries with Brent Council: 0208 937 5210 or https://www.brent.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning

 

Work has already started on clearing the trees and vegetation. Compare the picture above with this view taken today:

 


 Brent Council told me on Friday that removal of vegetation did not require planning permission but it appears that trees are involved. The Council also said that no planning application had been received for the site.

The cottage is a locally listed building. This designation has not saved other Brent buildings. In fact, Symal House redevelopment is coming up at Planning Committee next week. Despite being noteworthy for its 20th century construction method officers are recommending acceptance of the planning application that will see it demolished.

The entry in Brent's Local List recognises Reservoir Cottage's historical importance:



The 'dam keeper' would monitor water levels and operate the sluice gates on the dam as needed.

Any development has the potential to impact on this currently quite green space which is opposite the Birchen Grove allotments and the entrance road to the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre and the Garden Centre, and the side road to the Welsh Harp Open Space car park.

Sunday 23 October 2022

Friends of the Welsh Harp launch fundraiser for a bee garden and refurbished public bird hide - details

 

From Friends of the Welsh Harp 


The Welsh Harp is a Local Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest. It's a beautiful and wild blue-green gem hidden in North West London. For so many years it was largely neglected... but not any more!

 

Friends of the Welsh Harp is excited to announce our latest projects for the Welsh Harp:

 

1. BEE GARDEN

 


 

This small site is currently frequented by rats and owing to the compacted soil, can't support any plants. Our plan is to transform it into a beautiful bee garden.

 

Imagine this... 

 

A sloping bee bank, taking advantage of the site’s south facing position, that provides a habitat for wild mining bees and friendly wasps. To the left, a log pile. Dead and decaying wood provides vital habitat for a range of wildlife. To the front of the bee bank, native plants such as Knapweeds, Wild Carrot, Field Scabious, Chicory, Musk Mallow, Weld etc provide ground coverage and floral interest, whilst some Common Gorse provides native shrubbery at either end. Informative, simple signage explains these features and why they’re important. All this has transformed a dead patch of land into a thriving habitat for insects, birds, and small mammals. Plus, it's gorgeous to look at!

 

 

2. BIRD WATCHING HAVEN

 


 

The public bird hide at the Welsh Harp is subject to graffiti, littering, and loitering. The resulting space is intimidating for many. We want to provide a welcoming, exciting space for everyone to enjoy. Our solution is: huge street art 'stickers', a bin, gabion baskets at the entrance, and signage to increase footfall and awareness.

 

Imagine this...

 

A 'secret' birdwatching hide, nestled away from a busy urban environment, that looks out over a wetland which is home to many exciting birds. Sitting on the inviting bright red bench, and looking around, you can see a lot of cool street art - but with an ecological twist. Cormorants, grebes, terns and other bird of the Welsh Harp adorn the walls. There's always been graffiti here, but this new stuff is not offensive or rude, it's informative, interesting, and edgy. More and more people end up bringing their flasks of tea and coffee here, while they try out birdwatching with a pair of old binoculars. Others bring their children, hoping to stir within them a wonder of the natural world. Everyone agrees the birdwatching hide is a special place, and can't believe such a place exists in London! Outside of the hide, the street art 'stickers' are made from wildflower paper, so when it rains, it spreads seeds over time. Gabion baskets have been placed at the entrance, which adds to the invitation.

 

Thank you if you've made it to here. If you think the Welsh Harp deserves some love, please hit the 'Give Now' button. We welcome contributions of all sizes!

 

GIVE NOW
 

Saturday 20 August 2022

Swan rescued in Welsh Harp but two found dead. Cause not yet confirmed.

 


 

Pictures Lulubells Rescue

A sick swan was rescued yesterday at the Welsh Harp by Lulubells Rescue and taken to a Swan Sanctuary approved specialist vet. The alarm was raised by Welsh Harp volunteers.

A dead swan was discovered on an island nearby and unfortunately  (see below) another was found dead this morning close to Cool Oak Bridge.   This has given rise to speculation that the cause may be botulism caused by algae and other factors but has not been confirmed.  Dead fish have also been found.  See Defra notes on Avian Botulism HERE.

A spokesperson for the Lulubells Team told Wembley Matters:

Our team have attended and managed to catch a swan yesterday  Our team searched the area and noticed several fish and small birds deceased 


On inspecting this swan our belief is it is botulism.

This swan is doing much better but it was touch and go as our team raced across London to get the treatment it needed urgently on route he had several mini fits due to dehydration and starvation. 

I would like to mention a special 'Thankyou' to Leila who contacted Lulubells rescue. Leila asked us to attend to rescue this swan who was clearly in distress.  Our team who are all volunteers James, Denise, Violet, and Lorraine,  attended and collected the swan 

We will do everything we can to help wildlife at the Welsh Harp and help the local community,

The Canal and River Trust  and Brent Council have been informed and there is a suggestion that the bodies be cremated to stop the spread of any disease.