Birmingham was once described as ‘a town ringed by blossom’ as it was surrounded by gardens with blossoming trees. We are working with residents, schools and community groups to create a new, symbolic ‘ring of blossom’ and bring more blossom to Birmingham. This winter, thanks to support from the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, more than 500 blossoming trees will be planted around the city’s iconic Number 11 circular bus route.
Kings Heath Park is on the no 11 bus route so the Friends of Kings Heath Park were delighted when our application for ten cherry blossom trees was successful! Volunteers met with Dave, Graham and Kevin from the Horticultural team to plant the trees on 17th January. The trees have been planted in an area near the Thrive garden, in front of the wood, to give lower chance of disturbance with maximum visual impact. We look forward to watching them grow, and enjoying the blossom in the years to come.
Since the donation of the cherry trees from the National Trust, we were fortunate to acquire some apple trees from Thatcher’s Cider, as part of their Community Orchard project. We met on Monday 3rd April and planted them next to the cherry trees, so that we will have two types of blossom to look forward to in the spring!
The new website at kingsheathparktrees.uk is a project of the Friends of Kings Heath Park aimed at cataloguing the trees in the park. Photographs are being published along with a location and identification of a tree and it is hoped to cover as many trees as possible. Information about the trees is included and a blog records changing information such as when particular trees are in bloom.
The site has links to maps showing where trees are located so that trees of particular interest can easily be found.
There is an opportunity, via the blog, to leave comments on articles and should people wish to contribute articles or photographs an email is included; kingsheathparktrees@gmail.com
Dean, the Ranger who works with Friends of Kings Heath Park, has posted some interesting nature info for the Bournville Park Forest School, and an invitation to share pictures.
This is something that anyone can do individually in our gardens or local open spaces, so it would be fun to encourage the children we know to join in!
If you’re signed up to Facebook, you can link to the Friends of Kings Heath Park Facebook page here:
Nothing can stop Bournville Forest School… join our virtual forest school with Ranger Dean!
WEEK 1: WORMS 🐛
Worms have been around for 600 million years. They were one of the first insects on the Earth. Charles Darwin put them at number one – the most amazing creature on the planet! They only travel around 50 metres in 4 years. They eat the leaves/matter in the ground and make worm poo. Very important word – worm poo! Everyone loves it.
Please look for worms and pick them up. Then take a photo of the longest worm you find and share it on our Facebook page so we can all see them!
Remember that worms were around when the dinosaurs walked the Earth
(2) SUNNY DAYS
With the sun high in the sky and the temperature rising, we will start to see BEES and WASPS appearing and if you’re very lucky – a BUTTERFLY. Pollinating wasps and bees evolved from parasitic wasps due to flowers being a new food source of food, producing pollen and nectar.
Bees and wasps are one of the most important insects on the planet.
Count how many you see in your garden and post your drawings or photos on Facebook so l can see them!
Hope you are all well and I look forward to hearing from you,
Ranger Dean
Bournville Virtual Forest School
Making your garden more fun for wildlife!
Part 1: Making a wild flower bed
Do you have a part of your garden where the soil is very dry and nothing much grows? Then this is perfect for a wild flower bed. Wild flowers grow all over the world and require very little care and watering. They prefer soil with little or no nutrients and some sunlight.
As the flowers grow they will provide food for wildlife and fill your garden with beautiful colours and smells.
Follow the instructions on a packet of wildflower seeds, sit back and enjoy watching them grow!
I would also love you to write a list or draw the flowers in your garden and mark on a map where they come from. You will be able to explore the world from your own back garden!
Please share your pictures and photos on Facebook so l can see them!
Ranger Dean
TRAP DOOR – Bournville Virtual Forest School
Have you ever wondered what happens in your garden at night when you’re asleep or when you’re out and about playing? Find out what mini beasts live and move around your garden by making a trap door!
Dig a hole and place a plastic container into the ground. This should be level with the surface. Then put one or two leaves in it. Finally, find a board and cover it over. You might want to decorate your board. I called mine “Trap Door” and drew a spider on it!
Leave the container loosely covered overnight and see in the morning who has been in your garden. You can print off the bug sheet and record your findings!
Please post pictures and photos of what you find, l would love to see them!
Ranger Dean
COLLAGE – Bournville Virtual Forest School
If you have still got some Mother’s Day flowers in the house, or you can find some dandelions, daisies or buttercups growing in the grass, why not use them to make a collage?
A collage is a piece of art made by sticking various different materials onto a picture.
You might also want to add leaves or sticks for extra texture.
Why not create a collage of an animal or a mini-beast? Use your imagination!
Please post your pictures as l would love to see them!
Ranger Dean
STICK FAMILY – Look around your garden or local park and find sticks to make a stick family!Use string or wire to hold their arms and legs together. Dress them using leaves or household objects. Then create a home for them in your garden! Please send in your pictures and drawings, l would love to see them!Ranger Dean
JOKES & DRAWINGS – Bournville Virtual Forest School Every day Ranger Dean walks to work in Kings Heath park. On the way he looks forward to seeing someone’s jokes and drawings. Make the world a happier place by leaving pictures or jokes for people to read as they walk past your house. Please post your photos for all to share!Ranger Dean
Why not get out of the house and have a walk in the park?
We are so lucky to have our park, a beautiful open space in the middle of the big city. It is an ideal place for exercise walks and runs during the Coronavirus crisis. Try and avoid busy times, though, and don’t forget to keep your distance from other people.
Unfortunately, the Tea Rooms, the toilets and the playground are all closed at the moment to help prevent the spread of Covid 19.
Great news! A very generous individual donated a large amount of money to us which has enabled us to purchase some new equipment for the playground at Kings Heath Park. The purchase and installation of the equipment was arranged through Birmingham City Council.
It has been lovely seeing the children climbing up , sliding down and playing imaginative games on the two new pieces of equipment!
A message to the generous donor on behalf of all the users of the playground – THANK YOU!
We were very excited to welcome Santa and Mrs Claus to Kings Heath Park on 14th December!
They received young visitors in the garden house of the TV Garden, thanks to the generosity of the charity ‘Thrive’ .
The whole event was organised by the Cartlands Tea Rooms, and the tickets started with a festive tea in the tea rooms. The Friends of King Heath Park and Ranger Dean helped to host the visits to Santa after tea.
A good example of co-operation between four groups in the park.
Volunteers helping to maintain our beautiful park.
