Wildlife Field
Wildlife Meadow: Two Ponies and a Pond
In 2006 the ponies had gone. The large area of ground next to the social club had been their home for many years. It is believed that the ponies were owned by a Mr. Boxall who had florists and vegetable shops, one at 18 Lower Addiscombe Road and the other one near Mayday, now the Croydon University Hospital. At first it was thought that this area could be used for additional plots, but it be came apparent that the ground was frequently flooded and the cost of installing the necessary drainage would be both financially and practically impossible. Nor could it be used as an additional car park for the same reasons.
First thoughts were that it should be used as a memorial garden. The committee under Margaret Menezes decided on a wildlife garden. Now, as you walk around it is a place of calm and tranquility a place for meditation away from everyday worries and an opportunity to remember old friends who have left us. Today it has a new lease of life, birds, butterflies, and other insects now thrive where the ponies once grazed. Hilary Waterhouse, who took a prominent role, sketched out an idea of how the meadow migh t look which Malcolm redrafted to emphasise its potential as a wildlife meadow.
The first job was to clear six years of growth. The scrub was placed at the edges and burnt. Next a circular pathway had to be cut using a brush cutter. By now, there were twenty five volunteers working on this venture. As with stripping a wall for paperin g, all the old layers are best removed first. As many of us have discovered there are often many more layers than first thought. The longer they have been there, the more difficult it is to remove them. When this was completed, it was noticed that there w ere no anthills, a sure sign that there was little life. Looking back over the hundred years since this society was born, when expert knowledge has been required, it has been found. Malcolm Bridge, a former headmaster with a lifelong interest in such matte rs, supported by Margaret and the committee became the leading light in this venture as he continues to be today. His knowledge of butterflies and meadow fields is extensive, and he has become its epicentre. Cometh the hour, cometh the man.
In 201 2 it w as decided to construct a pond of between one and three feet in depth. Some butterflies, meadow buttercups and cow parsley appeared but only one piece of purple knapweed. After cutting the meadow, yellow rattle was broadcast which denies the nutrients the grass needs. Oxeye Daisy was plug planted in July. Various flower beds were cut and planted out with gifts from allotment holders. The pond was completed with suitable aquatic plants It is now home to frogs and a large variety of insects, especially dragonflies.
Every March Alfred Menezes continues to cut the grass and paths, a long and painstaking task. Large perennials are moved from beds to meadow. Rudbeckias, Echinacea and Miscanthus grass have been introduced over the last four years. The Primroses come into flower and frog spawn is in abundance, with a grey heron a constant visitor. Butterflies come out of hibernation: Yellow Brimstone, Peacock, Comma and Small Tortoiseshells appear. Moths such as Toad Flax Brocade, Small Ranunculus and Jersey Tiger have been seen since 2014. In May dragonflies appear including the brilliantly coloured Emperor, damsels, and mayflies. In June and July, the meadow is at its best a display of flowers, and shrubs with wildlife everywhere. Birds such as the long tailed tit and a green woodpecker are seen daily. Interestingly, when the meadow was first started, there was only one abandoned anthill, there are now eighty five active ones.
In 2017 during the final consultation phase of the Croydon Council’s Local Plan in response to planned removal of the AWSLG allotments Metropolitan Open L and Designation Jen Tapping and Malcolm Bridge suggested to the National I nspector that an Ecological Study of the AWSLG site should be conducted; this was granted and resulted in the whole site not only retaining MOL but AWSLG being recognised a Site of N ature Conservation Importance (SNCI in the final Croydon Local Plan in 2018.This decision was largely influenced by the Wildlife Meadow.
Since 2015, in the area between the hal l and the hospital two blocks of young woodland have been planted: Viburnum, Crabtree, Dogwood and two Pussy Willows. There is a second block of woodland of: Hazel, Field Maple, Cornus, and Blackthorn. The h azel stems are coppiced (cut back to ground level when they are 3cm or more in thickness. They provide excellent supports for climbing beans Michael Steward constructed a bug hotel offering a variety of habitats using bamboo pieces, slices of tree stumps, lime mortar and a splendid sense of humour.
For a feature of only 10 years old, this wildlife garden has proved to be an outstanding success. One of the three principles laid down by our forebears a hundred years ago that all work should wherever possible, be conducted by volunteers has stood t he test of time. Enormous credit and thanks should be given to every single person who has helped it become the place it is today. From two ponies to a pond.
