NEWSLETTER 23 - Autumn 2025

In my last newsletter I finished by saying that there was just two more work parties before the summer break. Unfortunately neither of those took place, one was cancelled because of extreme temperature and the other because of heavy rain. In over 10 years of organising work parties we have only missed one or possibly two due to inclement weather and the undergrowth certainly took advantage. Last month the volunteers made excellent progress in clearing our first planting site. An upside to this years weather is the abundance of fruit, nuts and berries which the pesky squirrels will be gorging on and maybe they won’t feel the need to attack our trees next spring.

A meeting had been arranged with a new Trees and Woodland officer to discuss how best to manage the stricken Ash trees in the Beeches, the meeting was cancelled at the last moment as was a subsequent one. We are now left on our own to manage this problem, but a start was made during our October work party to remove those trees which were already or likely to block our paths.

Most members won’t recognise the name Chris Harman, but he was a very valued Committee member and regularly attended work parties. Sadly Chris died very unexpectedly earlier this year, and his presence is greatly missed. Chris was also our Webmaster as he was to many other local organisations which means that our website has not been maintained during the last six months.

Now more positive news, Cat Dubber, known to most users of the Beeches has recently been co-opted onto the Committee and has taken over as our Webmaster. Cat has started to update the site and I am sure more changes will follow. If you haven’t checked it out recently, please do so, there is a lot of information there, I was rereading the history of Purley Beeches and it is fascinating.

At the time of writing we have two small Oak trees in plastic tubs tucked safely alongside our Green Room, waiting to be planted. They were kindly donated by a Member and probably by the time you read this they will have been planted out. Also as I write there will be a delivery tomorrow of a substantial English Oak that has been paid for by another Member in memory of her mother. The Committee had agreed, at the beginning of the year that we should buy three Oak trees, so these lovely donations have saved the FoPB a lot of money.

Not a FoPB event, but the annual Cakes in the Park organised by Ladies who bake in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support was so successful they sold out of cakes within the first hour. The final sum raised was well in excess of £1,000, Very well done all involved

Our bank balance is quite healthy, but mainly, as already said, we haven’t had to pay for any trees. A big thank you to all who have already paid this year, but if you feel you may have missed a year’s subs please don’t hesitate to catchup and then set up a standing order, with a recurring date of December 1st. The family subscription remains at £5, but larger amounts are very welcome and another thanks to all that have opted to pay more.

Payments and Standing Orders to: Barclays Bank, Friends of Purley Beeches, Sort Code: 20-43-47 Account: 83577643

Website; www.friendsofpurleybeeches.co.uk

Email;    friendsofpurleybeeches01@gmail.com