Petersham Trust Newsletters

February 2004

Message from Graham Ball. Chair

The Trust has been very active over recent months on environmental improvements and in planning the next major projects. Full details are given below. The Trustees were gratified to hear a leading landscape architect say recently that the Meadows have not looked so good for at least 50 years. The Trust is well on the path to achieve its aims but funds are still urgently needed to enable us to hand on this special part of London to future generations in good order. I hope that you will support our exciting fund raising programme to bring the achievement of our aims ever closer

Fund Raising

The main events for 2004 are outlined here.

June 20: Chris Brasher Memorial Run.

Chris Brasher died last year, and it is appropriate that a 10k memorial run, with additional mile races for children will be held in Richmond Park on June 20 in celebration of his life. It was exactly 40 years ago that Chris Brasher bought a house in River Lane, Petersham. The area had plenty of appeal to Chris and his family, close to Richmond Park where he enjoyed running, only 12 miles from London, yet cows grazed on Petersham Meadows and the pleasure of the historic view from Richmond Hills.

There will be a Pre-Run Dinner with a Charity Auction at the Richmond Hill Hotel on June 19. A number of famous sports stars are expected to be present including Sir Roger Bannister and Sir Christopher Chataway. Proceeds from the two events, which are organised by Hugh Brasher, son of Chris, will be donated to the Petersham Trust. Chris was Chairman of the Trust until his death and the Trustees have cooperated and advised on the two Events. Chris Brasher gave generously of his time and money, together with other local residents, to preserve the special amenities of Petersham for generations to come. The Trust is committed to carry on this ideal and money is still required complete the work to Petersham Meadows. It is hoped that many local residents will wish to take part in the run and attend the Dinner. The Children's races will be only for those resident in Boroughs bordering Richmond Park - Richmond, Kingston and Wandsworth. Age groups will range from 10-16 years with special prizes donated by the Chris Brasher Trust for individual and schools participation.

March 6/7.

Petersham Nursery, just behind St. Peter's Church off the Petersham Road, are mounting a special display of 7,500 crocuses and are donating the entrance fee of £2.00 to the Petersham Trust. This will be a spectacular event open from 10.00 -16.00 and well worth supporting.

May 29/30.

The Trustees have persuaded homeowners in Petersham Village to open their gardens to the general public. The cost of the £5.00 ticket will allow entry to all participating gardens, some grand - some not so grand - but all interesting. All proceeds to Petersham Trust. Full details will follow.

Buildings.

Many of you will have seen that the dilapidated 1920s barn and ancillary buildings have been demolished and plans are in hand, with a leading Conservation Architect practice, to restore and conserve the unique Milking Parlour. The Trustees are anxious to press on with this project as quickly as possible. Full details will follow in the next Newsletter.

Tree Strategy.

The Meadows still show signs of the neglect of tree stock and hedgerows over several decades. The Trustees plan, this year, to plant several landmark trees to enhance the view from Richmond Hill. These will include Oaks, Cedars of Lebanon and London Planes. The work will also involve extensive hedge planting and repair with the same objective. The effect of last year's substantial remedial work will become more evident as this year progresses. The regular maintenance programme continues.

Fencing, Gates and Paths.

The work on replacing the fences with high quality chestnut post and rail is well advanced and will be finally completed this year. The new gates giving improved access, especially to wheel chairs and push chairs have been a great success. The Trust hopes to reach agreement soon with Richmond Council on the re-surfacing of the public footpaths.

The Cows.

The usual herd of ten cows will be back at around Easter with this year's ten new calves and they will remain on the Meadows, as usual, until well into the autumn.

Volunteers.

The Trustees will be arranging a volunteer day on a Saturday in April to help in clearing unwanted material from the site and cutting back years of neglect to the hedgerows. Would those wanting to contribute in this positive way to the environmental improvement of the meadows, please contact the Trust?

Data Protection

As a matter of policy, the Trust does not share its address list with anyone nor would it divulge any data without first asking permission. Should anyone like to be removed from the mailing list, please advise us at:-

The Petersham Trust, 18 Breamwater Gardens, Ham, TW10 7SQ
Telephone/Fax: 0208 255 6628
Email address:- info@petershammeadows.org