Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park
Description
Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park is the most urban woodland in London.
Historically it's one of London's Magnificent Seven cemeteries and was closed to burials in 1966, that same year being re-designated as a Park by Act of Parliament. It is now a designated Local Nature Reserve and Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation.
Ackroyd Drive Green Link is one of a several green space additions, along with Scrapyard Meadow on our southern boundary included under the Cemetery Park's Local Nature Reserve status. It runs between Bow Common Lane and Burdett Road E3 and it is a series of 4 green compartments divided by an allotment site. Each compartment has it's own unique character and the Friends aim to manage the Green Link as windows to the main Cemetery Park. We aim to exhibit in a smaller space all the wonderful things that can be seen in the Cemetery Park.
The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park were set up 1990 and have the day to day care and management of the site and undertake all the work across its 3 broad themes of wildlife, people and education. The practical nature conservation projects involve over 3000 volunteers every year.
Whilst it is a place of remembrance and local history, the existing monuments now stand romantically amongst mature broadleaved woodland and wildflower meadows. The hard work of volunteers under the guidance of the Friends has made this inner City nature reserve home to a number of rare and endangered species of plants and animals. The Park boasts 60+ bird species, 27 butterfly species (making the site the richest for butterflies in urban London), along with UK rare bumblebees, flies, spiders and beetles. It is also home to an over subscribed education service that works with 8500 school children every year using the Park as the classroom as part of National Curriculum linked environmental workshops. Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park is a vibrant place filled with life and a hub of activity and fun!
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facebook.comJoin us a free tour on the third Sunday of every month to learn about the fascinating history, fauna and flora of this beautiful urban nature reserve. This month, botanist Terry Lyle talks about Plants in Autumn. All welcome. FREE (donations always welcomed). There is no need to book. Meet at the Soanes Centre, Southern Grove E3 4PX
Back by popular demand...
Join members of the Friends and the East London History Society in recording grave inscriptions and researching the untold stories of the people of the East End and City of London. This event is open to all with an interest in history and genealogy. If your family are buried here you can also attend to share your knowledge about their stories for the historical record. Free, no booking required. Please wear warm clothes and sensible shoes as we usually spend some time outside.
Please vote for us in the Green Flag Award People's Choice 2017. You have until the 30th September to show us your love. We'd really love to get in the top 10 this year. To vote, simply click on the link below and then click the 'vote' button. And once you've voted, don't forget to encourage others to get involved too! #LoveParks Thank you. http://www.greenflagaward.org.uk/park-summary/?park=1831
Jo the Earthwhisperer ran the first of these events on Saturday and the feedback was great - "I absolutely loved the course" "Great session" "I found this very freeing". Booking now for the next session on Sunday 24th, hope to see you there.
Join outdoor educator, Jo Goldsmid, on this half-day experiential workshop. We'll be using our senses, memories, imagination and intuition to reconnect with a child-like wonder and appreciation of the natural world. Expect mindful meanderings and silent games off the beaten path and under the tree canopy. You won't learn lots of facts about the wildlife - there are plenty of other courses where you can do this - but you will come away with a renewed sense of vitality and a deeper sense of belonging on this beautiful planet we call home... Suitable for 16 years + About the course leader Jo is an environmental facilitator and guide who works for the RSPB helping London children connect to the nature in their school grounds. She also runs her own workshops and rural retreats in the UK and Ireland enabling adults to deepen their relationship with nature. She has trained with the Animas Valley Institute of Colorado, Ecodharma Centre in Spain, and Tariki Trust in the UK. www.earthwhisperer.wordpress.com What participants say 'I rediscovered that childhood sense of awe, wonder and connection to nature that I was longing for and since the workshop I have been making a concerted effort to spend more time outside.' 'The day made me see the extraordinary in the ordinary. I loved every minute.' 'The workshop was led with a lot of sensitivity, care and awareness.' 'The sessions gave me simple but really effective ways to connect with nature, discovering what is there right in front of me.' 'Inspirational, adventurous and transforming.'
We are looking to improve how we engage with our supporters and the wider community, so we are doing a short survey to find out your views on what we do well, what we could do better, and how to focus our resources over the next few years. It takes only around 5 minutes to complete, but also gives you the chance to write more if you wish to. As an added incentive, when you complete the survey, you have the chance to win a signed copy of a fantastic young people's novel featuring Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park - The Turnkey by Allison Rushby. Click on the link to start the survey https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/FOTHCP1
Vote for us in the Green Flag Award People's Choice 2017. You have until the 30th September to show us your love. We'd really love to get in the top 10. To vote, simply click the on the link below and click the 'vote' button. And once you've voted, don't forget to encourage others to get involved too! Thank you. http://www.greenflagaward.org.uk/park-summary/?park=1831
'Inspirational, adventurous and transforming' - feedback on Jo Goldsmid's beautiful mindfulness in nature workshops. Booking now.
Your presence at this AGM is a powerful vote of support for the Charity, and is your chance to hear what we are up to. Bring your enthusiasm, comments and voting hands! The short AGM business is followed by a fascinating talk by local history enthusiast Jeremy Batch on the history of the London Docks. Free, no need to book. Please let us know if you have access requirements.
In Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park’s most atmospheric guided tour, join Cemetery Club on a lamp-lit tour to celebrate the lives of the quarter of a million people buried here. Marvel as the lamplight flickers over the graves of heroes, villains and mavericks as we simultaneously step back in time to explore Victorian customs associated with Hallowmas, and taste authentic Soul Cakes, made from a recipe from the time of old Queen Vic herself. It’ll finish on a song, too – a long forgotten ditty that many of the people buried here would have known and sung themselves. With a choice times, the tours will start at the War memorial, by the Soanes Centre. Please wear suitable footwear and wrap up warm: All Hallows Eve can be chilly! Tickets £12/£10, booking essential.
In Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park’s most atmospheric guided tour, join Cemetery Club on a lamp-lit tour to celebrate the lives of the quarter of a million people buried here. Marvel as the lamplight flickers over the graves of heroes, villains and mavericks as we simultaneously step back in time to explore Victorian customs associated with Hallowmas, and taste authentic Soul Cakes, made from a recipe from the time of old Queen Vic herself. It’ll finish on a song, too – a long forgotten ditty that many of the people buried here would have known and sung themselves. With a choice times, the tours will start at the War memorial, by the Soanes Centre. Please wear suitable footwear and wrap up warm: All Hallows Eve can be chilly! Tickets £12/£10, booking essential.
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