Penge Green Gym / Friends of Winsford Gardens Open Day 2025

Make a diary date now for

Sunday 8th June 2025,

11am-3pm

our 14th annual Open Day at Winsford Gardens.

Penge London SE20

Until then, we'll be working over-thyme with groundwork to supersede our previous years.

Thistle be the best day ever. Lichen it to a bed of roses!

  

And then Poppy over to see us!

Penge Green Gym Autumn Newsletter 2024

 

See what's happening in Penge this week....

Penge Green Gym Newsletter   Penge Green Gym continues to be active every Wednesday from 11am-2pm working to improve and maintain Winsford Gardens. Arguably we are busier in the Autumn than over the summer. Here is a summary of our recent activities and plans for the future.  Using Leaves As gardeners we have a bit of an obsession with muck! Earlier this autumn we wheel-barrowed one year-old leaf mould onto the beds and borders across the garden. We have noticed a massive improvement in soil health over the years from adding this organic matter. Every week we sweep and collect more leaves helping to keep the paths clean and safe.  Repairing raised beds Several of our raised beds have begun to crumble. To address this, we’ve been sourcing new sleepers to replace the damaged ones in both our growing area and other parts of the garden. Raised beds are essential for growing plants that might otherwise struggle in our heavy clay soil. Many of the structures around the garden, including benches and signposts, are also maintained by volunteers in the most environmentally way plausible. With leftover wood we are making a new sign explaining the wildflower meadow.   Investing for Spring We have begun planting many more spring bulbs around the garden as well as planting out seedlings that started in the growing area. Most of the daffodils are in the ground and will continue with tulips, hopefully finished before the ground freezes. We have lots of hedges and shrubs around the garden that are loved by wild life but need pruning back. Despite mulching and using ground covers you cannot escape unwelcome weeds and now is a good time to get as much of the roots out as possible. A moments pause... The garden is looking particularly beautiful at the moment. If you have a few minutes to spare or need a restorative break, why not visit and see what’s growing? When I last visited a flock of coal tits was picking insects off the fruit trees as they started to drop their leaves. As well as the deep reds and autumn yellows, there are more subtle flowers like these autumn crocuses below and other shrubs.    Looking forward  We have several exciting projects planned for 2024/25, which we are currently discussing with our partners. These include the installation of bike racks and other enhancements to the garden. Interested in joining in? If you’re free on Wednesdays from 11am to 2pm and would like to volunteer, we’d love to have you join us! No gardening experience is necessary—there are tasks to suit a range of interests and abilities. Just get in touch or pop along to see us!

Penge Green Gym Newsletter May 2023

 

Penge Green Gym Newsletter   Penge Green Gym Open day 2023  This year's open day is nearly upon us.  All are welcome and don't forget to invite your friends.  There will be homemade refreshments, music and plants for sale! Spring projects   Early spring brought with it lots of digging.  The chilly weather didn't stop us from getting out and planting lots and lots of hedging.  Thanks to a grant from CPRE - The Countryside Charity - members of Penge Green Gym were able to plant hundreds of hedgerow whips in Royston Fields which is our neighbouring greenfield site close to Penge High Street.  Well done to the team for battling on in the freezing rain and mud!      We have also started to renovate the bog garden area so that the area that is now shaded by the large tree will be filled with logs and plants that are more suited to a dryer, shadier garden.  The bog garden is being relined and will be refilled with plants very soon.  Watch this space!    Donations If you would like to support the work that Penge Green Gym undertakes at Winsford Gardens and Royston Fields you can now use this QR code and your Paypal account.  Just open you Photo app on your phone to view the QR code and it will take you to Paypal.     Easyfundraising Easyfundraising is also a great way to support Penge Green Gym.  With Easyfundraising every time you shop, a small donation is made to Penge Green Gym.  If you would like to help us, go to https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/pengegreengym/ and sign up.  It's totally free and helps us with all forthcoming projects.  Many thanks.

Winsford Gardens Open Day 2023

 

COMING SOON…

Winsford Gardens

OPEN DAY 2023

A Penge Festival Event

Sunday 4th June

11am – 3pm

CHILDREN’s Activities

PLANT Stall

HOME-MADE Cakes and Refreshments

LIVE MUSIC from the Tuesday Ukulele Group

Website: PengeGreenGym.org.uk

Winsford Gardens, Garden Road (off Croydon Road, near the Travelodge) Penge SE20 7RN

Nearest Bus routes 176, 197, 356, 358, 75

Tram stop: Avenue Road National Rail: Kent House Overground: Anerley

Penge Green Gym Mobile Journalism Project

Last week we were visited by Ivaylo Statelov who made some video interviews of us working in Winsford Gardens for a mobile journalism project for the South East Londoner online newspaper.

Penge Green Gym Newsletter December 2022

 

Penge Green Gym Newsletter   Snow has fallen on Winsford Gardens This week has seen the coldest temperature in sunny Penge for quite a few years and not only is it extremely cold it is set to last for at least a week.  This has meant that much of our work, (which includes digging holes to replace our natural seating area benches) has been put on hold.  But it also means that the gardens take on a wonderfully wintery atmosphere which is being enjoyed by the volunteers and visitors. We are happy to make the most of the winter wonderland while it lasts!       A helping hand from Princes Trust volunteers Last week we had a visit from a group of students from Bromley College who are part of the Princes Trust Programme.  They helped us with leaf raking and also went to our sister site at Royston Fields and did a great job clearing the area of litter.  They then stopped and had tea with us and gave a talk about all the projects they have been getting involved in.  We wish them luck for their future endeavours. Christmas Lunch This week sees our volunteering year come to an end and to celebrate we had our annual Christmas lunch hosted at Melvin hall.  We had some lovely food and our Chair Brenda gave us a round up of all this years activities.  We certainly all left with full tummies!!  Thanks to Brenda and Jane for organising the wonderful spread and to Topaz for her wonderful homemade muffins. And so we look back on a year in which we were able to get back to full strength after the lockdowns and plan projects into the future.  This includes the refurbishment of the natural seating area, additions to the children's play area including new stepping logs and a revamp of the bog garden to reflect it's changing surroundings due to large trees growing over it.  We look forward to the year ahead.  We wish our volunteers and visitors seasons greetings and a very happy new year.    Donations If you would like to support the work that Penge Green Gym undertakes at Winsford Gardens and Royston Fields you can now use this QR code and your Paypal account.  Just open you Photo app on your phone to view the QR code and it will take you to Paypal.     Easyfundraising Easyfundraising is also a great way to support Penge Green Gym.  With Easyfundraising every time you shop, a small donation is made to Penge Green Gym.  If you would like to help us, go to https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/pengegreengym/ and sign up.  It's totally free and helps us with all forthcoming projects.  Many thanks.

Penge Green Gym Newsletter August 2022

 

Penge Green Gym Newsletter   Notification of AGM  Penge Green Gym/ Friends of Winsford Gardens annual AGM will be held on Wednesday 14th September 2022 at 12.30pm in Winsford Gardens followed by our annual summer lunch.  All volunteers and stake holders are welcome to attend.     Donations If you would like to support the work that Penge Green Gym undertakes at Winsford Gardens and Royston Fields you can now use this QR code and your Paypal account.  Just open you Photo app on your phone to view the QR code and it will take you to Paypal.     Easyfundraising Easyfundraising is also a great way to support Penge Green Gym.  With Easyfundraising every time you shop, a small donation is made to Penge Green Gym.  If you would like to help us, go to https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/pengegreengym/ and sign up.  It's totally free and helps us with all forthcoming projects.  Many thanks.

Penge Green Gym Newsletter July 2022

 

See what's happening in Penge this week....

Penge Green Gym Newsletter   Summer fun at Winsford Gardens After 2 years away due to Covid restrictions we were back with our annual open day and it was a roaring success.  We had never seen as busy and everyone stayed to enjoy the wonderful music performed by Musica Medioca, the refreshments that were supplied and baked by the volunteers and the plants grown at the park.  It was wonderful to see so many people and to hear how much they loved the park.  All the money raised will go back into keeping the park looking wonderful.   Fields in Trust - UK's favourite parks Fields in Trust is running a competition to find the UK's favourite park.  Winsford Gardens is going up against many large parks so if you love the park please vote for us  at https://www.fieldsintrust.org/favourite-parks/nominations/winsford-gardens-open-space  Fields in Trust champions and supports our parks and greens spaces by protecting them for people to enjoy in perpetuity.  Because once lost, they are lost forever.       A visit from a local cub group Cubs from the 1st Penge Scout Group visited Winsford Gardens on 4th July.  The Cubs are working towards their Naturalist Badge, and Penge Green Gym volunteers were on-hand to give the Cubs a tour of the gardens, pointing out a variety of trees and wildflowers. The Cubs will be visiting again during the coming months, and will be noting what changes they see in the trees and wildflowers. What's looking great right now Our roses, wildflower meadow and herb beds look fab right now.  With the temperature rising all of the plants need all the help they can get so we give them as much water as we can each week.  Come and enjoy some shade underneath the trees and smell the roses...   Donations If you would like to support the work that Penge Green Gym undertakes at Winsford Gardens and Royston Fields you can now use this QR code and your Paypal account.  Just open you Photo app on your phone to view the QR code and it will take you to Paypal.     Easyfundraising Easyfundraising is also a great way to support Penge Green Gym.  With Easyfundraising every time you shop, a small donation is made to Penge Green Gym.  If you would like to help us, go to https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/pengegreengym/ and sign up.  It's totally free and helps us with all forthcoming projects.  Many thanks.

Fields In Trust UK's Favourite Park 2022

Winsford Gardens has been nominated for Fields in Trust UK’s Favourite Parks 2022!

You can show your support by voting online before Thursday 18th August 

Vote for Winsford Gardens in Fields In Trust UK’s Favourite Parks 2022 at:

https://www.fieldsintrust.org/favourite-parks/nominations/winsford-gardens-open-space

We are relying on your votes!

WINSFORD GARDENS OPEN DAY SUNDAY 12th JUNE 2022

Welcome Back!

Our Winsford Gardens Open Day this year will be on Sunday 12th June, part of the 50th Penge Festival.

We haven't been able to hold our Open Day since 2019.

This year there will be children's activities with Froglife and live music from Musica Medioca, as well as our popular plant sale and homemade cakes.

From 11am to 3pm.

At Winsford Gardens, Garden Road, off Croydon Road SE20

Further details on the flyer.

 

Penge Green Gym Newsletter - Happy Easter from Winsford Gardens

 

Penge Green Gym Newsletter   Happy Easter from Winsford Gardens Spring is well under way in the gardens and with all the new growth comes lots of jobs! We had some little helpers arrive from Blue Pear nursery this month.  They often come and play in the park but this time they came with seeds and tools and got to work planting up one of our raised beds.  They come regularly to see if the seeds are coming up.  Fingers crossed we'll see them very soon!   Our spring display is truly glorious thanks to this year's MPGA grant and bulbs for London.  Each year our display gets more colourful.   We have been building new bays that will hold wood chip, compost and anything else that we need for coming projects. It is quite the engineering marvel and hopefully will last for years to come.   And finally, we had to show you this wonderful picture taken by our volunteer Lynda of a pair of Slow Worms warming themselves under a piece of roofing felt that we leave specifically for this purpose.  They are the most wonderful creatures and we are lucky to have them in the gardens.        Donations If you would like to support the work that Penge Green Gym undertakes at Winsford Gardens and Royston Fields you can now use this QR code and your Paypal account.  Just open you Photo app on your phone to view the QR code and it will take you to Paypal.     Easyfundraising Easyfundraising is also a great way to support Penge Green Gym.  With Easyfundraising every time you shop, a small donation is made to Penge Green Gym.  If you would like to help us, go to https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/pengegreengym/ and sign up.  It's totally free and helps us with all forthcoming projects.  Many thanks.

Penge Green Gym Newsletter - Autumn visits, Christmas celebrations and a New Year's surprise.

 

Penge Green Gym Newsletter   Autumn visits, Christmas celebrations and a New Year's surprise.  In the autumn term the children from St Anthony's Primary school in Penge came to visit the gardens.  Our volunteers Brenda, Diane and Jane showed them around and spoke to them about the gardens and the work that we do there. Jane and Diana created some materials for the school visit. These have now been adapted for more general use and can be found in the display boxes at each of the entrances to Winsford Gardens and on our website at https://www.pengegreengym.org.uk/10th-anniversary-events-and-announcements/childrens-activity-sheets-for-colouring-in/.   We think they had a lovely time and were very pleased to receive letters from many of the children telling us of their time here and what they enjoyed.     Even though there were ongoing issues due to the pandemic we were lucky enough to be able to celebrate christmas thanks to the outside space at Melvin Halls.  We sat outside and ate a wonderful meal put together by our volunteers (special mention to Jane for organising) and had a lovely time.  Thankfully the weather was kind to us!       AXA Community grants In early December, we were pleasantly surprised to learn that one of our regular visitors to Winsford Gardens who works for AXA Insurance had nominated us for one of AXA's Community Grants.  Grant nominations are selected by AXA,  and voted-on by AXA employees. In the New Year, we were delighted to learn that we are one of just 28 local causes across the UK to be awarded an AXA Community Grant.  The money from this grant will go towards projects such as the repair of our natural seating area, restocking the bog garden and wildflower meadows and other areas of the gardens that will improve the biodiversity and natural habitats.  A big thank you to AXA for your support.       Winter in the Gardens The gardens continue to look great from autumn into winter.  Much work has been done to clear all the leaves from the grass and collect them for this years mulching.  This is also a time for maintenance and cutting back although we like to leave seed heads for the birds and other creatures in the gardens.  We still have a large and enthusiastic crew maintaining the gardens even in the coldest and wettest days.  We have also been to Royston Fields to 'scallop' the briars to encourage new growth and increase biodiversity.       Donations If you would like to support the work that Penge Green Gym undertakes at Winsford Gardens and Royston Fields you can now use this QR code and your Paypal account.  Just open you Photo app on your phone to view the QR code and it will take you to Paypal.     Easyfundraising Easyfundraising is also a great way to support Penge Green Gym.  With Easyfundraising every time you shop, a small donation is made to Penge Green Gym.  If you would like to help us, go to https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/pengegreengym/ and sign up.  It's totally free and helps us with all forthcoming projects.  Many thanks.