Half-Term activites for children 6-11 at Welsh Harp Environmental Study Centre Thursday October 31st and Friday 1st November

 

I am not sure why Brent Council's logo is not included but the activity is taking place in Brent at the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre, Birchen Grove, NW9

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

Activities suitable for ages 6-11.

Afternoon activity 2-3.30pm – We will be pond dipping to identify what is living in our 2 freshwater ponds. We will also make some bird cake for you to take home and feed the birds now the weather is getting colder.

Book here: Action for Silk Stream – Welsh Harp Half term fun – Thames21 Limited (plinth.org.uk)

Evening activity 4.30-6pm – We have a spooky Halloween trail for you to navigate through the woods, ending with a marshmallow roasting campfire.

Book  here: Action for Silk Stream – Welsh Harp half term fun – Thames21 Limited (plinth.org.uk)

 

Further info:

• An adult must attend & supervise children throughout activities.
• You only need to reserve one ticket per child and no need to print, we have your details once you book.
• Places are limited and booking is essential, please cancel your booking if you can no longer attend.
• Children and adults should wear comfortable outdoor clothing and shoes that may get dirty as we will be walking on woodland pathways. Please bring a waterproof jacket if it is forecast to rain.

Location:

Meet at Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre (Google Maps link)

Birchen Grove, NW9 8RY. Follow the signs towards the Birchen Grove Garden Centre.

Any Questions?

Deb Frankiewicz, Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre

Email: welshharpcentre@thames21.org.uk

Ph: 07711 701 694

Helen Cardy, Action for Silk Stream

Email: Helen.Cardy@thames21.org.uk

Ph: 07743 927799

Staples Corner-Dollis Hill will see major changes under the Growth Area Masterplan currently in consultation

 

Brent Council is currently consulting on the Staples Corner Growth Area Masterplan which would see major changes in the Strategic Industrial Land  (SIL) areas in Dollis Hill, new housing, a designated high rise area and better  connections  with green spaces.

The Council claims:

Staples Corner will be transformed into a higher quality and intensified industrial area sitting adjacent to a new urban community. Regeneration and growth will support a rich ecology of industrial and co-located residential uses to create an exemplary 15-minute neighbourhood where people live, work and interact. Intensification will deliver a new and varied supply of modern industrial premises for London’s strategic and local business needs, as well as commercial space, social infrastructure and an improved public realm to support a mixed use residential community.

 

Staples Corner will be enhanced as an attractive, prosperous and sustainable place,

supporting new industrial business and employment growth, as well as welcoming new residents to the neighbourhood.

 

 

Protecting and intensifying the majority of the industrial land solely for industrial

purposes, but allowing some either for a mix of uses incorporating some industrial or for

residential led development, will deliver:

 

• Modern, fit for purpose industrial spaces for local businesses including logistics,

light industrial units and affordable workspace;

 

• Opportunities for employment, skills and training for local people;

 

• A minimum of 2,200 new high quality homes, including affordable homes and

family sized-dwellings;

 

• A range of new local services and community spaces that support interaction and community cohesion;

 

• New open spaces, incorporating play for a range of ages, and public realm

improvements particularly along the North Circular Road and Edgware Road;

 

• A high quality environment that is safe and accessible to everyone;

 

• An industrial movement network that keeps HGV and large vehicles to the

strategic road network, with other streets encouraging walking and

cycling over private motor vehicles, and better connect Staples Corner to the

surrounding area;

 

• A place that achieves the highest standards of sustainability to support a

low carbon circular economy.

The plans include a tall building zone off the Edgware Road with some taller 'marker buildings':

 

The West Hendon redevelopment in neighbouring Barnet with its 'marker' tall building was opposed by Brent  Council because of its impact on the Welsh Harp but it was argued at the time that it would set a precedent that could lead to development close to the banks of the Welsh Harp encouraged by the Council.  The comment included in  the above image 'building masses should consider the setting of the locally listed Welsh Harp reservoir, and also respond sensitively to suburban streets to the south' will be key for many local people and will the impact of tall buildings on the flight paths of breeding and migrating birds.

I can only include a basic outline of these massive detailed documents that can be found on the Council website HERE.

One adopted the Masterplan will used as the framework for future planning decisions in the designated Growth Area area and so it is important to comment now.

CONSULTATION MEETINGS

 

 

June 12^th 12-3pm Bellissima Ristorante

 

June 18^th 10am-2pm Stables Cafe, Gladstone Park

 

June 27^th 12-3pm Bellissima Ristorante

 

July 3^rd 5.30-7.30pm Millennium Business Centre

 

July 10^th 6pm-7pm online

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+.

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

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.

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 

 

 

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.

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

 

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.

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.

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.

 

 

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.