We’re doing our bit to encourage biodiversity on the Common. The tree planting season concluded with volunteers planting 90 oak whips to form a hedge around the area between Skylark and the playground. Earlier in the month the flower bed was planted with wildflower turf, which is already starting to flower. The idea is to make this a more natural looking area in keeping with the Common and to encourage pollinators. Meanwhile, the MAC fielded a team of volunteers in the Scope to continue the work to repair damage caused by last year’s increased footfall, with a focus on reducing informal paths (desire lines), which disrupt wildlife corridors. We also resumed our small group bird walks with Nick Rutter and Barbara Littlechild.

Appetite whetters for the 150th anniversary and forthcoming book continued with two virtual talks. The first, ‘Down with the Fences’ by Philip Boys, took its title from the rallying cry of the campaigners for the 1871 Wandsworth Common Act, and told the story of the fight to save the Common from further encroachment. The second, by Ros Page ‘Read all about it’ uncovered some of the literary characters described in our new book ‘The Wandsworth Common Story’ available to buy in May. All our recorded talks can be watched here