News April 2014

We have published our latest newsletter. The text is below and the PDF is available via the link at the bottom of the page.

Blooming fantastic

Many local residents have commented on how lovely Highlands Gardens is looking this month. The bulbs which were planted by all our volunteers in the autumn are now flowering. We've seen crocuses, snowdrops and iris. Daffodils are nodding now and we have alliums and fritillaries to look forward to.

Barnet Council contractors have been keeping the Gardens looking neat and tidy, with a mulch of wood chip on many of the beds and regular coats of paint on the old toilet block.

The Friends Gardening Club met for the first time in March to plant some new shrubs and small trees around the pond, which will continue the exotic feel there in years to come. They will be meeting again on 1st Saturday of each month from 10am. Any queries contactHelen on 07788 577159.

Spring Party Saturday 26th April 2014 2pm

Please come along on Saturday 26th April from 2pm to our Spring Party.

• Come and see the results of the bulb planting last November.
• Drinks and nibbles will be provided.
• There will be family games, a garden Treasure Hunt, another amazing
• Duckling Race and the traditional chaotic Tug of War.
• Bring chairs or rugs to sit on and bring all your friends and family.

Fish!

On 22nd March Ian released five fish into the pond. The first fish to swim in there for many years. They are only about 10cm long at the moment, but could grow quite large eventually. Next time you are there; see if you can spot them. About a dozen people gathered to see them swim free and got hailed on by a large cloud! Good weather for fish?

Friends Group Update

The Friends of Highlands Gardens Committee met in February and the complete minutes are available on our website. We talk about maintaining and improving the gardens. We have concerns about the stream, which is not running. Since the meeting we have heard from the Green Spaces Team at Barnet that it appears that the 100+ year old 80 metre cast iron pipe carrying water from the pond to the top of the stream is leaking severely and it will have to be investigated prior to repair. So at the moment the pump (which also needs a service) cannot be left on as all it does is drain the pond. We will then have to either replace the pipe or insert a new sleeve.

Over the next few months contractors will be repairing the stream bed and also resurfacing the remaining paths. Sometimes the gardening contractors are over zealous in pruning, so Helen and Charles plan to put labels on as many interesting plants as possible and then ask Barnet not to prune these. Helen will be standing down as Treasurer at the AGM - if you would like to volunteer or join the team please let us know.

Autumn Planting Party Report

We had a fantastic autumn celebration where approximately 100 local people visited the gardens and helped plant a few thousand bulbs, follow the tree trail and enjoy the gardens as a community. It was wonderful to see the park full of life and to hear everyone chatting, meeting new people and enjoying themselves. A duck race took place and this is intended to be repeated at the Spring party. We also cut a splendid waterfall cake. And everyone fell over with a Tug of War competition!!!!

Notice Board

Take a look at the Notice Board in the Gardens for up to date information on our very successful working parties (first Saturday of month from 10am -noon) and other activities.

AGM Date

The next AGM is at 8pm on Tuesday 6 th May at 18 Abbotts Road. Please come along and have your say on Highlands Gardens and find out more about what we are doing to inspire the community. We are very friendly and always happy to see new faces, whatever your skill set.

Thank YOU

A big THANK YOU to everyone who uses Highlands Gardens and picks up the litter left by less tidy people.Please also continue to use the Dog Waste bins to keep the area as clean and safe as possible. Anything we can do to keep our space looking good and feeling welcoming can only benefit us all.

S.N.T.

Don't forget the Met Police Safer Neighbourhood Team: Office 020 8721 2846, Mobile 07887 633343 for reports of any anti-social behaviour. The general number for non-urgent calls is 101.

Don't Forget

We hope to see you at the Spring Party - Saturday 26th April from 2pm.