Enviromental Fair 2011

 On Bank Holiday Monday the Beddington Farm Bird Group (BFBG) made its inaugural appearance at the Carshalton Environmental Fair. The Fair is a major local event, which brings together a wide spectrum of groups involved in conservation issues and sustainable living. Some 10,000 members of the general public attend the Fair, now in its 20th year. For the BFBG, therefore, this was an opportunity to help others learn more about the site, its wildlife and to also garner support in our aim to create a major urban nature reserve at Beddington Farmlands. In view of the threat facing the site, due to proposals contained in the South London Waste Plan - which has included the Farmlands as a potential home for a permanent waste disposal facility - this event proved highly successful in raising awareness amongst local residents as to this hidden natural haven.

 
For those of you reading this who we met on the Bank Holiday and who either went away with a BFBG pamphlet or added your name to our mailing list, thank you. As most of you will know, the Farmlands is a working site, with very limited access arrangements, but we do run a series of guided walks, throughout the year, which I hope a number of you will be able to join and see the site for yourselves. We also offer associate membership of the BFBG, which provides further, regular opportunities for site visits. Alternatively, there is public access along the bridle path from Beddington Park to Mitcham Common, with several points along the route where the northern and southern lakes can be viewed.

  Written by Keith Millar, Chairman of the Beddington Farm Bird Group