Brian up the hill

I was having a permitted exercise outing today and was saddened to see that someone has been at the wild garlic in Sydenham Hill Woods. It hasn't even had a chance to flower yet, however the main clump has been trampled and it is obvious that much of what is left has been picked. It is such a shame that it hasn't been left for everyone to enjoy, especially as the woods are such an amazing sanctuary for everyone at the moment. What can I say?

No milk or eggs in addition to everything else that has been stripped bare in the last couple of weeks. Fruit and veg in short supply too. I agree that Sainsbury's management seem incapable of showing some leadership and guts by enforcing rationing of those items which are being bought in a frenzy of panic. However, they are not alone there as Bozo is missing in action too. Or lack of action. At least if these item were rationed and the policy enforced, everyone would stand a chance of having what they need. Maybe they are scared of alienating those who are grabbing what they can, leaving everyone else to go hang. I fear that when the crisis subsides, there will be an unprecedented amount of food thrown away as the greedy and selfish clear out their stockpiles.

In reply to TE44, as volunteers we care deeply about conserving the woods and we most certainly do not avail ourselves of the wild garlic. It grows in the sames area as the native bluebells and as I said, trampling does immense damage. We have put some fencing and dead hedging in the area but sadly that does not deter everyone and some people criticise this policy as being too restrictive. We have fenced off some areas to allow them to recover from trampling. Unfortunately, it is the more vulnerable native plants which are most sensitive to trampling and this allows tougher more invasive species like bramble and ivy to take over. The wild garlic in the woods is quite limited in extent and is certainly nothing like the rampant growth you would see in an area like Gower. It is best left where is grows so everyone can enjoy its brief appearance. I did see picking bluebells mentioned and the same applies to those. Please don't! Many thanks to the appreciative comments. We are very lucky to have such an amazing place on our doorstep and together we can all keep it like that.

Being a volunteer in Sydenham Hill Woods, we work very hard to keep them in shape. We maintain the paths, pick up litter, remove invasive species, survey the wildlife and many other tasks besides. We would ask that no-one picks wild garlic in these woods. Not only is it illegal but trampling causes permanent damage to the ecosystem there. This is especially so now the ground is sodden by the enormous amounts of rain we've had. There is a noticeable deterioration in the state of the main paths from the extra footfall resulting from the closure of Cox's Walk bridge. We are doing our best to address this but please do not exacerbate it by trampling over sensitive areas in search of wild garlic. Furthermore, the areas where is is found are also important for our native bluebells and trampling will cause serious damage to these as well. Please don't.

Thanks to Penguin68 for the petition link. Yes, Kiera is right about the London Wildlife Trust objecting. It is worth remembering that LWT is a charity and is responsible for everyday management of the wood, including the mundane tasks like litter picking and dealing with dog mess as well as making the paths safer and mitigating excessive mud by building new paths and boardwalks. To do this, it relies on unpaid volunteers to give their time and efforts freely. As they abut a public right of way. ie Cox's Walk, the trees are earmarked for felling by Southwark Highways Department. The issue is not that the bridge needs to be repaired, it does. Also it is an historical landmark due to its link with Pissarro. The issue is that the trees do not seem to be the direct cause of structural damage and they could be retained, especially as they form an important aesthetic grouping as sentinels for the bridge. Furthermore, their removal will have a dramatic effect on the balance of groundwater in the immediate area. Ground stabilty could be affected as it adjusts to the increased weight and pressure of water which otherwise would have been taken up by the trees and released back into the atmosphere as transpiration. There should be a way to rebuild the abutments without removing the trees. If you agree, please sign the petition as linked above if you have not done so already.

There is a proposal by Southwark Council to fell two mature oak trees in Sydenham Hill Wood. They are on the western (Dulwich) side of the Cox's Walk footbridge. The reason given is that major repairs can be carried out to the bridge's abutments and the bridge itself. Although there is no doubt that these repairs are necessary, the question arises as to why the trees need to be cut down. It would seem that the bridge was rebuilt in the 1980s when the trees were already mature, so it is doubtful that they are the cause of the damage to the structure. Extensive root ingress by ivy seems more likely to be the cause. Removing the trees could cause heave to destabilise the cutting slope as water which would have been take up by the trees, remains in the soil. Furthermore, the main reason for removing the trees would seem to be allow easier access for Southwark Highways Department, an issue which did not seem to prevent the rebuilding works in the eighties. Oaks are vital to the woodland ecosystem, especially mature oaks like these. Surely a more ecologically sound way could be devised of making the repairs, without felling two important trees like these?

I can confirm that it was the rent increase courtesy of the landlord that persuaded Jamie to pack up and close. This is what he told me. He is offering home cuts but will be coming up from the Kent coast so I presume he will do this in batches once he has enough to justify the trip. If I'm allowed to give out his number, it is 07973 469631

Having used the gym regulary (1-3 times a week) since October, I have always found the staff, both in the gym and on reception very polite, friendly and helpful. I do admit it seems odd that the water fountains have been out of action since December but as I also use a gym near work which is in the London Fitness Network, I have to say that Dulwich knocks spots off it! I have never had a problem with machines although evenings can be very busy - as they are in any leisure centre or gym. The only problem I have is that I can't swipe my card and have to wait for the gate to be opened for me by the reception staff but invariably the queue grows as the front customer asks an increasingly long and inane set of questions - naturally, oblivious to those waiting behind them. All in all , I think the new gym a real asset to the area and I value having it close by.

Pip Torens the actor - for many years now in DKH. Jenny Eclair - natch - also saw her in GBK in Lordship Lane.