Sophy Tayler of Camberwell Trees & Green Spaces outlines the summer programme
Thanks to a small but vital grant from the Camberwell Society, this year’s Trees & Green Spaces summer programme is free for everyone to enjoy. From tree heritage to butterflies and bats, the season is packed with ways to explore nature, meet neighbours, and discover the green heart of SE5. Where bookings are needed, we use the SE5 Forum for Camberwell page on Eventbrite.
May – Medicinal Trees Walk, Myatt’s Fields Park
We begin on Saturday 9 May, 2.00–3.30 pm, with a gentle guided walk through Myatt’s Fields Park. Many of us think of medicinal plants as herbs, but many tree species have been used in traditional medicine. Led by Greg Packman, treescape curator for the Royal Parks, this relaxed afternoon introduces local trees and the cultural traditions connected to them. The walk ends with calming limeleaf tea and a chance to chat with neighbours.
June – Mulberry Concert and Picnic, Burgess Park
London Climate Action Week returns to Camberwell on Saturday 20 June with a mulberry-themed concert and picnic on the lawns of Chumleigh Gardens. With Southwark Council’s newly planted avenue of 21 mulberry trees and a veteran tree nearby, it is a perfect spot for celebrating Camberwell’s growing mulberry heritage. We are planning live jazz in partnership with JazzLive at the Crypt, free scones with mulberry jam, and Turkish lemonade. No need to book, just bring a picnic and settle in for a joyful afternoon.
July – Camberwell Butterfly Safari
On Thursday 4 July, 10.30–12.00, join the Big Butterfly Count, starting at St Giles’ Church and ending at the SE5 Forum market stall. We will visit three local green spaces, spending 15 minutes counting butterflies in each one. A free butterfly cupcake awaits our participants at the finish.
September – Pipistrelle Bat Walk
We close the season on 3 September, 7.45pm, with a twilight bat walk led by ever-popular Dr Iain Boulton from Lambeth Council. Using bat detectors, participants will hear the “hidden chatter” of pipistrelles as they swoop through Green Dale and Dog Kennel Hill woods. Free but limitedto 35 places, so book promptly. We plan to give away some bat boxes to participants to encourage bats in other locations.
Get involved – greenspaces@camberwellsociety.org.uk If you would like to volunteer – whether for stewarding, baking, photography, or helping plan future events – the Trees & Green Spaces Group would love to hear from you.
