Four walks planned for later in the month; for details see the Events page on this website.

Tuesday 26 May:  Tooting Bec Common’s Heritage Trees, 11 a.m – c. 1 p.m.

Report:  15 people turned up to the start of this event though only a minority endured the excessive heat and stayed to the end, c.130 minutes later.  We examined a European white elm (Ulmus laevis), said to be one of the Common’s special trees, and various oaks (Quercus spp.) and maples (Acer spp.), finishing by looking at a manna ash (Fraxinus ornus) grafted onto a rootstock of common ash (F. excelsior), believed to be the last remaining tree of five ‘white ashes’ planted on the Common in 1893.

‘Many thanks, on behalf of Friends of Tooting Common, for leading the very enjoyable tree walk yesterday.’

Wednesday 27 May:  Herbal Heritage, Battersea Park, 11 a.m – c. 12 noon.

Report:  Although 17 people had booked, some had to drop out and only 10 turned up.  After a sweltering day on Tuesday was good to meet in a cool corner of the Park beside the River Thames.  As usual we discussed common plants, starting with cleavers, a.k.a. goosegrass, (Galium aparine) and continued by looking at hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and so on … Participants seem to have enjoyed themselves and asked many interesting questions.

‘Had a great [birth]day – plant folklore walk in Battersea Park and dinner at Chez Bruce.’

Saturday 30 May:  Plant Folklore, two walks, one starting at 11.30 a.m. and the other at 2.30 p.m., Chiltern Open Air Museum.

Report: These walks attracted a total of c.36 people.  Once again it was extremely hot, so we concentrated on plants growing in the more shaded areas of the site.  Both walks continued for approximately 75 minutes; people seem to have enjoyed themselves, and several contributed interesting memories to the Archive.

‘We had such lovely feedback from everyone, and it was wonderful to have you with us.’

Images: upper, manna ash, Tooting Common, January 2026; lower,  Village Green, Chilterns Open Air Museum, near Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, May 2026.