What a month! It started well, but now normal activity is
suspended for the foreseeable future to minimise the spread of coronavirus.
Notices appeared on the Common stressing the importance of 2 metre social
distancing, the closure of playgrounds, fitness equipment, toilets etc –
everywhere where the virus could potentially be transmitted. A new rule states that
dogs must be on leads at all times, to prevent their owners getting too close
to each another. Follow the links to the relevant Council advice.

Before the lockdown, we held a swan and duck food bagging
session to get us up to Easter. Jess Stocks, who sadly has now left Enable to
work for another London borough, kindly led a spring tree walk. A small group
of volunteers helped rake over some of the newly cleared patches of the Scope to
encourage the spread of meadow habitat with native wildflowers – perfect for
butterflies. And Nick Rutter’s first official bird walk for Enable attracted about
30 people. Nick has subsequently reported that kestrels are nesting on the
Common, in the large box in the black poplar on the path by the railway track
running north from the Hope Tavern. The Heritage group held a successful virtual
meeting. Sadly that’s what we’re confined to for the time being.

Keep well everyone and follow the social distancing rules
when you’re on the Common. We look forward to meeting up again when we’re allowed.