Friday 18 June: Pavement Prowl, a walk along Sistova Road, Balham, London Borough of Wandsworth,  examining pavement weeds, starting at 11 a.m. and continuing for c.90 minutes.  Last year we found 54 species; which ones are still there, and will there be any additional ones?

Report:  As this was a pavement walk the number of participants was restricted to five; three people booked, one apologised that she was unable to attend, and two, both regulars, turned up.  We were lucky in that the torrential rain which fell before and after the walk stopped for  the 60 minutes or so we spent walking along the road, trying to identify the plants which we found.  Several species recorded last year were not present, but a number of new species were found, bringing the total to 72.  It is hoped that a follow up walk can be held in the autumn.

Saturday 19 June:  Herbal Heritage, two walks on Woolwich Common, one starting at 11 a.m. and the other  at 1.30 p.m.

Report:  32 people in all turned up and each group spent about 90 minutes meandering around the Common, discussing common plants and their uses.  At the end of each walk good number of people recorded their plant-lore memories and knowledge.  Thank you!

Image: purslane, Portulaca oleracea,  native to the Mediterranean region, a well-established pavement weed in Sistova Road.