Burgess Park fishing lake was redesigned in 2012/13 and opened to the public along with the rest of the park after five years.
Nature and caring people have made the lake as you see it today with reed beds. The very tall reed is Norfolk reed mace. The shorter reeds are Phragmites. We also have Yellow Flag Iris, Bulrush and Water Mint in places.
In 2016 we received 6 rolls of coir matting which were planted with various water plants. These you can see between the bridge and the bird sanctuary. So have fun finding out the rest of the names of the plants for yourselves.
Birds
Mute Swans
Waterfowl or birds that live on the lake are Mute Swans, three different types of goose (Canada Goose, Greylag Goose and Egyptian Goose), Coots (black body, white beak and head dress), Moorhens (brown body, red beak with yellow tip), and Tufted Ducks (males – black and white and females – brown).
Egyptian Geese
Sometimes there are Common Pochard (grey body with reddish head), a pair of Great Crested Grebes (on Burgess lake in July 2018) and also the Little Grebe.
Coot
There are many other birds that visit the water to feed – Kingfisher, Grey Heron, Cormorant, Common Tern and different types of Sea Gulls.
There is as much that lives underwater as above. The most common plant seen is Blanket Weed, next is Najas Minor which is growing in the non-fishing side of the lake, and some patches of Silk Weed out towards the middle of the lake. The lake bed is made up of areas of mud, rubble and rubbish that have been covered in silt. In the pockets of silt can be found Bloodworm (larvae of the non-biting Midge – the little flies you see over your head sometimes) Dragonflies, Damselflies and other types of water insect, too many to list.
Friends of Burgess Park will be pond-dipping by the lake on Saturday 21 July, 4.30 to 6pm as part of London’s National Park City Week. Come and join us.
Fishermen at Burgess Park lake
Fishing
There are many fish in the lake. Carp is the main species found, Tench is next, then Bream, Roach, Rudd, Perch, Dace and Catfish. Carp can be divided into sub species Common, Mirror, Linner, Fully scaled, Ghost and Koi.
When fishing at Burgess Park lake you must have a rod licence before you fish. You will need to purchase a day ticket from the council web site. The Environment Agency, Southwark Council officers and community wardens come around regularly to check on licences.
While fishing you will need to have a landing net 36 inches minimum and unhooking mat as there is a chance of a large carp or more. You must fish from the swims only. Swims 1 to 6 are concrete. There is a dirt area at the side to put up a shelter and they are on the school and toilet side of the lake. Swims 7 to 10 are on the other side of the lake and are dirt covered.
If you’re lucky and catch a fish then you must return all fish back to the water.
All through June we doing #30DaysWild #wildaboutburgess part of the London Wildlife campaign. The perfect excuse to share your favourite photos @BurgessPk.
Saturday 21 July – 4.30 to 6pm Pond-dipping by the lake. Part of London’s National Park City Week.
Chumleigh Gardens
Daphne odora
In a corner of the English Garden you’ll find Daphne odora. As the name suggests, it has a gorgeous perfume.
Spot the frogs in the pond. There is some frogs spawn and probably more to come. Creep up slowly and you may hear them croaking. The tadpoles will emerge over the next 21 days. At first, they stick themselves to plants digesting the remaining egg yolk in their guts, then they swim about feeding on algae. As they grow, their diet expands to include other pond life and even plant material which they grind up with tiny teeth. By 12 weeks, they look like tiny frogs and at 16 weeks, they assume their adult shape and can leave the pond.
The Wattle tree which I think is Acacia gunii is just about to burst into bloom.
Between Chumleigh Gardens and St George’s Church
Alder trees
These are native trees that are usually found in boggy ground. Tap one of the yellow catkins and you will see a puff of pollen. These are wind pollinated plants that don’t need insects to fertilise them though you may see bees collecting the protein rich pollen to feed to their larva.
Alder tree catkins
There are male and female flowers on the same tree. The female flowers are much smaller catkins which develop into cones. You will find brown cones from last year still on the trees. The leaves are round with a notch cut out at the tip and the bark has small holes in it.
Alder trees fix nitrogen into the soil, so add to the fertility.
Because they grow in boggy conditions, their orange coloured timber will not rot in water so it was used in the foundations of Venice and for water pipes. Above ground, it will quickly rot.
Siskin, Redpol and Goldfinches eat the seeds, several moths feed on the leaves and the bark is used in medicine.
The Dry Garden
Hellebore flowers in The Dry Garden behind St George’s Church
Southwark Council will close the section on New Church Road that runs through the park. The road will no longer be accessible from Monday 4th December. Southwark apologises for any inconvenience caused. The new Quietway 7 cycle pathway which will cut through the park will be built as an alternative route. It is expected to open in spring 2018.
Consultations on the Burgess Park West new play area will take place on:
Tuesday 28 November 3.30 to 5pm Chumleigh Gardens play area, next to the Park Life café, off Albany Road. If the weather is poor the consultation will be inside the Chumleigh West building, which will be signposted from the play area.
Monday 4th December 6pm to 8pm Southwark Council’s offices 160 Tooley Street, SE1 2QH
Drop by to see the emerging design which has taken into account previous consultation results, and tell the designers your ideas and opinions.
If you cannot attend either session and are still interested in the play area design, please get in touch with Pippa Krishnan pippa.krishnan@southwark.gov.uk
Listen to the fascinating podcast audio adaptation of the Animated Walkfrom the Friends’ Zeppelin 1917 season. It tells the story of the Zeppelin Raid on Camberwell, in the industrial and residential area that existed before the creation of the park itself, and puts the tragic events of that night into the context of local life at that time. Read about the Animated Walk.
The sculptures
Plans and production of the houses for the Silent Raid sculpture installation by Sally Hogarth. Photos by Alexander Christie
Wednesday 17 October 2018 from 5.30-7pm
Sally Hogarth will unveil her new art work memorial ‘Silent Raid’. The installation was commissioned by Southwark Council and has been a year in the making. The art work commemorates the Zeppelin raid on Calmington Road (now part of Burgess Park) in 1917 with ten replica houses representing each of the people killed in the attack. Read Sally Hogarth’s blog about creating the sculptures on the Southwark Heritage website.
Meet at Theatre Delicatessen, in the Old Library on Wells Way, for a walk around the locations for the memorial, with speeches, refreshments, a poem by Koko and more. To book tickets for the launch event, please see the Eventbrite page.
Take part in the drop-in family art workshop by Art in the Park.
Refreshments
2.30 pm Camberwell Community Choir sing songs from the First World War
3.15 pm History walk to view the art installation of memorial houses including Q and A with the artist Sally Hogarth
4.30 – 5.30 pm Performance of THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER
The Unknown Soldier is a moving show, often humorous, but above all thought provoking. It looks at the First World War from a new perspective, through the eyes of a man who has survived the carnage but who finds it hard to return home. A story of comradeship, betrayal and of promises both broken and kept following the carnage of World War One. Official EdFringe 2016 sell out show by award nominated writer of Casualties.
FOBP have just won the Mary Boast History Prize, organised by the Camberwell Society. Copies of our winning essay will be available at the events, and you can read more about the Prize here, or read the essay here.
2017 events: Revealing the impact of World War I on people’s lives and society
Southwark News reports on the FOBP Zeppelin 1917 project
Almost one hundred years ago, on the night of 19th October 1917, a Zeppelin bomb landed in Calmington Road, Southwark. It killed 10 people, injured 24 more, and destroyed a fish and chip shop, a doctor’s surgery, and many homes. The Friends of Burgess Park project “Zeppelin 1917” will uncover the stories of local heroes and piece together the dramatic raid right over what is now Burgess Park.
Jon Pickup and Andrew Pearson, from Friends of Burgess Park are leading the project supported by a successful £9,800 Heritage Lottery Fund award. Jon Pickup said “We’re looking for people to volunteer, get involved and during the summer we’ll be visiting the Imperial War Museum and Southwark Heritage Library to look into archive material about the people who lived in the street. This is a fantastic opportunity to do some original research and uncover hidden stories. We’re also delighted that Southwark Council are funding an art piece for the park to remember this event.” Sally Hogarth has been appointed as the artist.
The project kicks off over the summer. Volunteers will find out more about the Zeppelin and the lives of ordinary people who took heroic action as part of the war effort. In September, children’s workshops led by Art in the Park will take place at the Creation Trust, Giraffe House.
During October 2017 a festival of events at Theatre Delicatessen, in the Old Library, Wells Way, will showcase the work created by local residents. John Whelan will bring together the historical research with volunteers to tell the story of the raid through an animated walk. Stephen Bourne, local historian, and author of Black Poppies, will talk about the armed services as well as men and women who stayed at home and played a role in the civil defence.
The Zeppelin 2017 festival will feature:
Exhibition – A timeline of the raid and archival display – open Saturdays during October 2017, with opening talk by Zeppelin expert Ian Castle on Saturday 7 October.
Hidden Heroes – Talk by Stephen Bourne, author of Black Poppies, on the black community and the Great War, Saturday 14 October 2017.
Animated Walk – Created by actors using research by local volunteers, to animate the history of WW1 and the Zeppelin Raid on Calmington Road in October 1917, on Saturday 21 October.
Family events – Drop-in family events including art workshops with Art in the Park, Cuming Museum object handling, stories and rhymes with Vanessa Wolf, Saturday 7 and Thursday 26 and Friday 27 October.
* This will be lead by the head of the Library and Archive at the National Gallery Alan Crookham and historian/ archivist Jane Ruddell from the Mercers.
* It will be an introduction into archives and how best to use them and where and how to look for history/ archives.
Session 2:
Thursday 31st of Aug. 7-9pm. Theatre Deli.
* This will be a handling session of historical artefacts from WW1 from the Cuming Collection.
* It will show how artefacts and ephemera are really important resources in animating the past.
* It will also highlight the Southwark collection from WW1.
Session 3:
Saturday 9th of September. 12-2pm. Southwark History Library.
* This will be lead by Dr Patricia Dark and Lisa Soverall.
* It will look at their extensive document and picture collection around WW1 and the Zeppelin Raid and train participants in how to best use this resource
Thursday 11 January 2018, 4.00 -7.00pm at Burgess Park Community Sports Centre, Cobourg Road, SE5 0JD
Southwark Council with match funding from Parklife Funding Partners (The FA, the Premier League and Sport England) are presenting draft design proposals for developing the community sports hub. Who will run the new facility? Will there be more fencing of sports’ fields? Will Cobourg Road and Neate Street be closed? What will the provision be for access to Cobourg School? Will there be through routes for pedestrians and cyclists? What about parking? Will trees be cut down? Please come along and say what you think about the new plans. Download a pdf of the latest plans.Email your comments to Southwark by 19 January 2018.
2016 plans for Cobourg Road and the Sports Centre development
Southwark Council are proposing a major redevelopment of the Community Sports Centre on Cobourg Road. Friends of Burgess Park are concerned that the plan will fence off more of the park, reduce accessibility, cut down mature trees, increase pedestrian/cyclist conflict and cause parking problems. Read the Friends of Burgess Park submission.
The Living Streets charity for everyday walking studied four paths shared by cyclists and pedestrians in London, including Burgess Park.
The study found that pedestrians experience more conflict than cyclists and there is a disproportionate impact on disabled people. Cycle speed is the key issue for pedestrians and cyclists should be slowed down. Where sharing is unavoidable, signage should make the situation clear. Improving alternate routes may help to diffuse the pressure and tension.
The specific recommendations for Burgess Park are:
Focus on designing an on-road facility for the Southwark Spine cycle route, e.g. along Wells Way rather than through the park
Introduce a small amount of signage to alert park users to the presence of cyclists.
Encourage slower cycling speeds in the park.
Continue to prioritise the destination function of Burgess Park and the leisure facilities.
In the longer term, it is suggested that improved facilities for commuting cyclists be provided on the Old Kent Road, Walworth Road and surrounding roads.
“Because of cyclists coming up behind me, I am always having to look over my shoulders”
“Burgess Park is essentially a giant cyclist interchange, and the [proposed] spine route will make it even busier”
“Are park users pedestrians in the classic sense? People strolling in parks wander around slowly, they turn, walk to the sides… There are also people walking with children and dogs and they are disproportionately affected”
Friends of Burgess Park were consulted for the LIving Streets study.
The application includes plans for a new Quietway for cyclists shared with pedestrians across Burgess Park West. The new route will be lit and will have some changes of surface at key points. (Further details in No. 5 of 24 and No. 9 of 24 of the planning documents).
You can respond by filling in the online form, or via email to planning.enquiries@southwark.gov.uk or via post to Planning Department, Southwark Council, PO Box 64529, London SE1P 5LX. If you comment by email or post please remember to quote the reference number which is 16/AP/3165.
FOBP will be discussing the application at the Tuesday, 6 September meeting at 7.30pm, Sports Centre, Cobourg Road.
Meeting: Wednesday, 11 May, 18:30 to 19:30, Old Library, Wells Way, Burgess Park
Burgess Park West is the new name for the Burgess Park Southern Entrance project. At the meeting Southwark will be presenting feedback from the previous consultation as well as updated plans, and will also outline the next steps for the project.
Plans and a survey will also be available online from 9 May to 5 June at www.southwark.gov.uk/burgesspark
A public exhibition will be held from 9 May to 5 June at the Sports Centre showing the plans and designs . There will be the opportunity to leave feedback.
An additional exhibition will be held at Chumleigh Gardens at weekends and during half term (weather permitting) where Park Ambassadors will be available to show visitors the plans.
Commuter cycling routes through the park
FOBP are very concerned about the Southwark’s plans for new routes through Burgess Park specifically aimed at commuter cyclists.
The park is an amenity in an area of ‘hard-pressed families’ and ‘urban living’ as defined in the Southwark Cycling Demand Study. Local people value the park as a space for play and relaxation and driving designated cycle routes through it is not appropriate. Living Streets, the national charity for pedestrians, discuss this issue in its policy document regarding cycling and walking. “Changes to pedestrian or cycle use of parks should ensure that the primary use of parks is as a recreational space. Our parks must remain a quiet haven for all, rather than cheap ‘easy wins’ for cycle routes.” Pedestrians and cyclists should not be put into conflict with one another.
There is also research which suggests that increased bike use targets people of wealthier incomes who are benefiting at the expense of people who could be walking in the park. Living Streets are concerned that “For more vulnerable pedestrians such as disabled people, older people and children, walking safely and easily is often impossible. Walking rates are in serious decline and whilst this is in part down to change in busy lifestyles it is more symptomatic of the lack of priority given to pedestrians on our streets.” The charity encourages children to walk to school and we should do nothing to discourage children using what should be safe and healthy routes through Burgess Park to get to the numerous schools around the park.
FOBP pointed out to the consultation regarding Quietway 7: “We have experience in Burgess Park of the quiet route which runs along the Surrey Canal Walk. This is now dominated by commuter cyclists. Pedestrians are forced off the path, and a route which should provide a safe and less polluted way for children to get to school has become hazardous for them.
“The Friends of Burgess Park are concerned that all users of the park are considered when new features are designed which will have such a long-lasting impact on the park.”
Coming consultations
FOBP have been informed by Southwark Council that there are more consultations about planned cycle routes through Burgess Park.
“The council intends to make a decision on the entire Quietway 7 route (excluding section in the Burgess Park) once consultation is completed for the entire route. This is likely to be around end of March / April 2016.
Consultation for the detailed design of the Burgess Park section the route is scheduled to commence late February 2016 with a decision made around May 2016.
The routes affecting Burgess Park are currently under review and one update to the maps published will be made in spring next year.
Regarding the specific confirmed routes: The Quietway from Kennington Park to Trafalgar Avenue has a proposed alternative — St. Georges Way and this is currently subject to TfL accepting the cost of the route before any outline design can be looked at. There will be early engagement on this locally in the New Year.
The Southwark Spine route is going to commence with the section south of Burgess Park so that the Master Plan and Aylesbury re-development are further established before officers undertake a review of the ‘level of service’ needed and desired routes north of the park.
There is also going to be a high level study to establish a preferred link from this southern section of the Spine to Quietway 7 which does not involve a route through the park. This will include looking at the use of Wells Way.”
Both FOBP and Southwark Cyclists support improvements to Wells Way to green the route and improve conditions for cyclists and pedestrians. Read Joe Parker’s presentation on Southwark Cyclists’ Wells Way proposal. At the meeting, FOBP members proposed working together with Southwark Cyclists to lobby for these improvements including linking with Quietway 7 (QW7 Elephant and Castle to Crystal Palace).
Abigail Tripp of Wheels for Wellbeing advocated a better crossing on Wells Way linking Burgess Park East and West so that adapted cycles for disabled children and adults could travel across all of the park. At the moment, these cycles are unable to use the underpass which is too steep for them. A better crossing is also needed on Trafalgar Avenue to access the Community Garden and Surrey Canal Walk section of Burgess Park.
Wheels for Wellbeing provides cycling sessions for disabled children and adults in south London parks. Abigail also hoped to find a Burgess Park base for a fleet of the specially adapted cycles for these sessions. She will be attending the cycling festival at the BMX track on Saturday, 14 Nov 2015.
Friends of Burgess Park are hosting an event in Burgess Park led by Alastair McKinlay from TCV (The Conservation Volunteers) on assessing woodland condition.
This is a practical hands-on session using the newly-developed assessment template developed by TCV and London Wildlife for London-wide work on woodlands.
Dawn chorus walk Friday 29 March 2024
Hear the birdsong early in the morning (6 to 7:30 am) on a walk to help identify the many species in the park. This event will be led by local ornithologist Dave Clark who does a seasonal bird count for Burgess Park. More information onEventbrite.
Birdwatching in Burgess Park
Great Crested Grebe (Laura Kor)
A hugely enjoyable guided walk took place on 27 Jan 2024 when 39 species were seen or heard on a stroll around a variety of habitats. The loud, distinctive call of a Cetti’s Warbler, a Song Thrush singing beautifully and a sighting of a Greenfinch were some of the highlights.
The annual RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) Central London Local Group’s January walk in Burgess Park was led by two of its members, Dave Clark and Czech Conroy, and was co-organised with the Friends of Burgess Park. Read the fascinating blog by Czech Conroy and Alison Gibson describing the discoveries on the walk with great pictures by Laura Kor and the list of bird species compiled by Tom Rogers.
Burgess Park woodlands activities winter/spring 2024
Butterfly habitat management project in the Albany Road woodlands
On Saturday 27 Jan 2024, our woodlands maintenance volunteers were clearing brambles and coppicing to enhance the glade in the Albany Road woodlands. This was the first phase of the works organised by Southwark Council.
The second phase will be run by Big City Butterfly Project who will employ a contractor to de-turf, remove roots and sow the area with a meadow mix within the glade FOBP are creating.
This is part of the Friends of Burgess Park healthy woodlands project. We have also been awarded funding from the Southwark Council Cleaner Greener Safer fund for a new pathway. Read more about the woodlands in Burgess Park.
Flowering meadow
The Head Gardener of Burgess Park, Gregory Smith and his team have been developing a flowering meadow along Albany Road. His latest blog describes sowing seed in the area and what has resulted. “We can introduce a wider range of wild native plants by sowing seed, but often nature knows best and will try to find its own natural balance of plants over time … so then our job is to gently adjust this balance so it remains suitable for a busy park.”
To mow or not to mow
Gregory Smith, Head Gardener of Burgess Park has written about being a gardener and an environmentalist. He is concerned with what grows naturally, as well as which human-planted or sown, native or non-native plants can be added in order to create more diversity, food sources and habitat for wildlife. With a multi-layered approach to grass cutting, all kinds of wild plants can appear and lawns can become useful habitats. These will link all the intentional planting in the park to create a more complete ecology. Find out more about what the gardeners have been doing and experimenting with by reading his blog on making meadows.
Celebration 26 March 2023 Passmore Edwards bicentenary
Celebrate the Grade II listed building and its benefactor Passmore Edwards
This year marks the 200th anniversary of Passmore Edwards’ birth on 24th March 1823 and Friends of Burgess Park are joining with others around the UK to celebrate the Passmore Edwards 200 Festival. We’ll be holding a programme of events based at the old library, baths and washhouse on Wells Way on Sunday 26th March. There’s an exhibition about the man and his legacy, children’s activities, a commemorative tree-planting, a reading by local author Jacqueline Crooks from her new book, refreshments and more.
Bike Tour 2–4pm We’ve also organised a short Bike Tour around three of Passmore Edwards’ south London buildings, guided by a renowned local architect. You can book now for the bike tour 2pm to 4pm onEventbrite – places are limited to 25, so book early!
Commemorative Tree Planting 4.00–4.30pm Across the country Rowan trees are being planted to celebrate the Passmore Edwards bicentenary. Join us from 4pm for the tree planting and reading by local author Jacqueline Crooks from her new book Fire Rush, and refreshments.
Exhibition 1–5.30pm – Find out more about Passmore Edwards with an exhibition on loan from the Passmore Edwards legacy. Plus more about the old library bath and washhouse building, its history and future role, benefitting local people.
Friends of Burgess Park held a 12 day long festival to launch the Burgess Park Woodland in 2023, a project aiming to improve our woodland through better management and community engagement.
On Saturday 26 September the festival launched with the Albany woodlands pop-up walk and family woodland arts at Chumleigh Gardens playground.
Tackling litter
Michael Faraday primary school art work for anti-litter banners Thank you Year 3 pupils (summer 2022) and for helping litterpic. See the banners in Albany Road near Giraffe House and Wells Way near the old library.
FOBP weekly litterpic every Monday morning 8am to 9am
FOBP provide litterpicks, gloves and bags. Meet at Chumleigh Gardens – in the gardens behind the behind the cafe.
Woodlands wildlife
Friends of Burgess Park received a Highly commended London Urban Forest Award
Highly Commended Our woodlands campaign to protect Southampton Way woodlands against development pressure was highly commended with a London Urban Forest Award at the London Tree and Woodland Awards 2022. Thanks to all local groups and park users who have supported us.
The Awards ( #TreeOscars) are organised by the Forestry Commission and supported by the Mayor of London. They aim to raise the profile of London’s trees and woodlands and their need for active management. The awards showcase the work taking place all over the city to protect and increase London’s urban forest (urban forestry guidance).
Southwark Civic Awards for FOBP: Mayor’s Discretionary Award 2022
Mayor Hargrove with Friends of Burgess Park
Thank you Southwark Mayor Cllr Barrie Hargrove for the 2022 Discretionary Award for Friends of Burgess Park’s “ongoing and successful commitment … thinking of the park’s welfare first and foremost” presented at Southwark Cathedral.
Massive thanks to all our volunteers, past, present, and more importantly, future ones. Join us!
Plans are being developed for the regeneration of Phase 2B of the Aylesbury Estate on Albany Road next to Burgess Park, the area that includes the Wendover 241-471, Winslow, Padbury and Ravenstone blocks.
Public open day Saturday 16 October 2021, 12 noon – 3pm Surrey Square Primary School, Surrey Square, London SE17 2JY
Drop in any time to meet the team, view updated designs in a family-friendly environment and give your feedback on plans for Phase 2B of the estate regeneration. Members of the design team, Notting Hill Genesis and Soundings will be on hand to listen to feedback and answer questions. This event is free and open to all.
Drop in exhibition and stakeholder evening workshop Monday 18 October 2021 Drop in exhibition 4-6pm; workshop 6-8pm Upper Hall, Pembroke House, 80 Tatum Street, London SE17 1QR
Drop in to view the plans between 4-6pm. An early evening workshop will discuss public space, access and circulation. Email aylesbury@nhg.org.uk or call 07920 466133 if you would like to take part.
Online public workshop Tuesday 26 October 2021, 6-7.30pm An online evening to discuss the revised plans. Email aylesbury@nhg.org.uk or call 07920 466133 to take part.
Congratulations to Kye Whyte at Peckham BMX
Kye Whyte won a siver medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Many congratulations to him, his family and Peckham BMX Club.
The Peckham Club started at the Bird-in-Bush park track and then moved to the Burgess Park track.
Burgess Park’s woodlands are vital for local wildlife and they are a precious resource in an urban area. Current plans for tall buildings on the edge of the woodlands will reduce the sunlight and change the habitat.
To understand what impact tall buildings would have, we need an independent wildlife report to present to Southwark’s Planning Committee. The goal is to raise £1500 by the end of May 2021 to commission an ecology report from the London Wildlife Trust. Find out more and make a Crowdfunder contribution here.
Unable to run our usual annual bird count in the park due to current restrictions, we explain how you can still get involved from home with the RSPB survey, as well as identify bird songs, and take a soundscape walk around the park. Find out more.
The Southampton Way entrance to Burgess Park has an area of derelict land used for what was supposed to be temporary scrap yards and car washing.
The land has been designated as part of the protected Metropolitan Open Land of Burgess Park for over 30 years as the council steadily CPO’d (Compulsory Purchased) the various bits of privately owned land selected to be a park in the original Abercrombie Plan after WW2.
However, a developer has bought an option on the site and is suggesting that a 6-storey residential tower-block be built on designated park land.
It is crucial that this land which has been blighted for so long, be landscaped and included in the park next to the recently improved wildlife site.
Please sign the petition calling on Southwark Council to oppose any planning application for building on this site and call on them instead to fulfill their promise to CPO and incorporate this piece of the Burgess Park jigsaw.
Park art tour
Take a walk, virtual or real, around Burgess Park to view artworks that have been placed here over the years. The Park Art map can be found on the Friends of Burgess Park’s Bridge to Nowhere heritage website which investigates the history of the park that emerged from the streets of south London.
The concrete skate bowl will take over a section of the park next to the BMX track and unfortunately an estimated 3,000 square meters of grass will be lost due to its construction. Friends of Burgess Park object to the replacement of a green area with concrete, one of the worst producers of CO2 . This is the narrowest part of the park, which has been traversed with paths and cycle routes, with tall buildings planned to the north and possibly south, pouring concrete all over it is not an improvement. It is in fact turning this green area into an urban environment not a refuge from it.
Some ideas are already being implemented and Friends of Burgess Park were out looking at opportunities to improve active travel around the park.
We are promoting the Burgess Park Orbital, a protected route, to take cyclists who want to travel securely and efficiently around the park through the neighbourhood so they don’t have to cross the park. The park is very busy at the moment with people socialising and exercising. Some cyclists simply want a straightforward way to get to the other side without interfering in park activities. Some want another place to exercise. Some want an alternative to cycling through the park in the dark winter months.
Using routes around the perimeter means that there will be adequate street lighting rather than trying to light the park and contributing to light pollution which must be controlled according to the National Policy Planning Framework (NPPF).
Click the links below and give each a thumbs up, bottom right. Let’s show support to get these improvements.
Litter-free Mondays and Thursdays July – September
Weekly litter pick Mondays 7:30-9.30am and Thursdays 6:15-8pm July to September 2020. Meet at the picnic benches at Chumleigh Gardens. Gloves and litter pickers provided or bring your own. More information here. Read the blog.
Launch of Southwark nature action conservation volunteers
Dave Clark provided online training in recognising birdsong. He has an MSc in Ornithology from Birmingham University and is particularly interested in the interaction between birds and humans. Read his blog about birds in Burgess Park From Africa to the Old Kent Road and follow him on Twitter @daveclark77.
Burgess Park contains a mosaic of locally important habitats including areas of rough grass, wildflower ‘meadows’, hedges and patches of bushes, scrub and trees; and a lake and some small ponds with reeds.
Regular visitors include House Martins, Swifts, Blackcaps, Reed Warblers and Whitethroats. Other birds include House Sparrow, Starling, Greenfinch, and typical garden species like the Robin and Blue Tit. The lake has several different species of waterbirds, including three species of geese – Canada, Egyptian and Greylag.
Tuesday 3 March 2020, 7pm, Theatre Deli, Wells Way SE5 Book ticket.
Help with species’ habitats and nature conservation in Southwark parks: carry out surveys, help with planting, dig ponds, map wildlife sightings to target habitat action, photograph wildlife and habitats etc.
Launch event includes talks from Simon Saville, Butterfly Conservation and Jon Best, Southwark Ecology Officer, films and discussions. Find out more.
Come along to the Big Garden Birdwatch
at Chumleigh Gardens on Sunday 26 January 2020 11 am – 12 midday
All ages welcome Free event Free bird ID sheet
Hot drinks and cake
Identifying wildlife at Burgess Lake
We put up signage at the lake and on the bridge about the waterfowl and fish in the lake. We hope this will help park users know more about wild-fowl, fish and plants and how the lake works as a habitat.
Find out more about what Friends of Burgess Park have been doing at the lake with help from children at Cobourg School.
Friends of Burgess Park AGM
Tuesday 12 November 2019 7 pm at Theatre Deli, Old Library, Wells Way, SE5 0PX
All welcome to hear about Burgess Park Past, Present and Future
Speakers, Q&A: Diana Cochrane, Walworth History Society, Burgess Park and Beyond heritage Jason Leech, Camberwell Society, Camberwell plan Guy Robinson, Camberwell Fields Residents’ Association, Metropolitan Open Land Plus: Elect new committee, approve accounts, review constitution, priorities 2020.
October monthly meeting changed
The next FOBP meeting 1st October 2019 is being transferred to the council planning committee so that we can comment on and object to the sports centre application. The planning meeting is open to the public Tues 1 October from 6.30pm, 160 Tooley St. SE1 2QX. Planning committee agenda and report.
The planning committee meeting was cancelled at the last minute because a report from Sport England had not arrived. The next Planning Sub-Committee B meeting is now scheduled for Tue 29 Oct 2019 (to be confirmed).
FOBP objections: 1. Loss of Metropolitan Open Land 2. Impact of the new pitches and spectator mounds on the surrounding park. 3. The design of the new sports centre does not fit with the character of the park or the Cobourg conservation area, or achieve environmental standards.
Wild Burgess: birds, butterflies, moths and crows
Find out about the latest wildlife sightings in Burgess Park. Ornithologist Dave Clark is thrilled to find more Burgess birds than 10 years ago. Guest blogger Simon Savile of the Butterfly Conservation organisation tells us where to look for butterflies and moths in Burgess Park. Regular FOBP blogger Jenny Morgan urges us to appreciate crows and the more subtle changes in the park.
From Africa to the Old Kent Road: Bird species in Burgess Park Wednesday 19 June 2019, 9 am – 10.30 am meet at Chumleigh Gardens Dave Clark, ornithologist, will lead the circular walk (approx 1.3 hrs) finishing at Chumleigh Gardens café for further informal discussion. FREE – Donations to FOBP welcome. Read Dave Clark’s blog
Read about Burgess Park in the Camberwell Quarterly
It gives a tremendous picture of the park from the Community Garden at one end to the tennis courts at the other celebrating the wide range of activities in-between – rugby, BMX, children’s nurseries, play groups, art clubs, theatre groups to name a few. It is all enabled by park workers and many dedicated volunteers.
2019 Development planning
Southwark Council is holding the next Old Kent Road Forum on open space on Saturday 19 January 2019 from 11am to 1pm at Christ Church Peckham, 676-680 Old Kent Road, SE15 1JF
Sports Hub consultation 20 November 2018
Help shape the future of Burgess Park – Southwark Council wants your views on the sports centre hub. Come along to the drop-in session (20 November) between 4–7pm at the Burgess Park Sports Centre SE5, or have your say online.
London is home to a diverse range of animals, including everything from bats to reptiles, and Southwark Council is trying to find out which species can be found where in Southwark.
On the Council website you can click on an interactive map, zoom to the location of your sighting and an email link will appear on the left. Enter your email address and click send.
Your records will help the Council to manage wildlife in Southwark and gain a better understanding of what lives where.
CK Flash with brothers Tre and Kye Whyte were interviewed by the BBC about the value and benefits of the BMX club. See the BBC video shot at the track in Burgess Park. The brothers are both in the British Cycling Academy and Kye just won silver at the 2018 European Championships.
Wednesday, 17 October The new art work by Sally Hogarth commemorates the Zeppelin raid on Calmington Road (now part of Burgess Park) in 1917 with ten houses representing each of the people killed in the attack. Read Sally Hogarth’s blog on creating the sculptures.
Supported by Southwark Council, the Friends of Burgess Park and Theatre Deli. Photos of the sculptures by Alexander ChristieInstagramTwitter
Friends of Burgess Park win Mary Boast History Prize
We had great news on 30th September 2018! The Mary Boast Prize, which is organised by the Camberwell Society, has been won by an essay from some of the Friends of Burgess Park ‘Zeppelin 1917’ team. A big thank you to all the volunteer authors including the essay editing team of Judith Barratt, Joan Ashworth and Susan Crisp. Find out more here.
First World War Victoria Cross commemorative stone unveiling
Monday 3 September 2018, 11am, Old Kent Road entrance, Burgess Park
Jack Harvey, was born at 2 Canal Grove (just off Old Kent Road) in the old borough of Camberwell. This is why the site chosen for the commemorative paving will be the Old Kent Road main entrance to Burgess Park.
Southwark Council is holding the next Old Kent Road Forum on Saturday 20 October from 11am to 1pm at Christ Church Peckham, 676-680 Old Kent Road, SE15 1JF The theme for this forum will be Transport with ward councillors – Evelyn Akoto, Michael Situ and Richard Livingstone and Johnson Situ (Cabinet Member for Growth, Development and Planning). Find out more about the development schemes in Old Kent Road.
37-39 Parkhouse Street (Hunnex site) is a proposed mixed use scheme of commercial rented accommodation including on-site 50% affordable housing. This substantial site backs onto Burgess Park.
Old Kent Road redevelopment continues with plans for the ARGOS and DFS site opposite Burgess Park OKR entrance. Details of proposals include a hotel, cinema commercial, tall private block and rented housing. Comments wanted by the end of July for a planning application in the autumn.
This episode is an audio adaptation of the Animated Walk from the Friends’ Zeppelin 1917 season which ran throughout October 2017. It tells the story of the Zeppelin Raid on Camberwell, in the industrial and residential area that existed before the creation of the park itself, and puts the tragic events of that night into the context of local life at that time.
And if you subscribe(it’s free), you will also receive future episodes automatically, as soon as they are released.
Any day now, the Lime trees (Common Lime or Linden, Tilia Europea) will come into bloom. They perfume the air with one of the most delightful scents of summer. Walk along the main avenue by the tennis courts … Read more about the flowers, the butterflies and bogs of Burgess.
Burgess goes wild about waterfowl
Despite the terrible weather (28 April 2018) the Friends of Burgess Park were out at the lake finding out how much people knew about the birds on the lake; their names; what they eat and the problems of feeding bread to the ducks. Read about the birds we saw and counted and what we should be feeding them.
The identification session was part of the international City Nature Challenge with 70 cities competing to see who could make the most observations of nature, find the most species, and engage the most people in the worldwide 2018 City Nature Challenge.
Unleash your wild side
Find out more about the wildlife in Burgess Park over the next few months.
All through June we are doing #30DaysWild #wildaboutburgess part of the London Wildlife campaign. The perfect excuse to share your favourite photos @BurgessPk.
Saturday 21 July – 4.30 to 6pm Pond-dipping by the lake. Part of London’s National Park City Week.
Monday 22nd October 2018 7-9pm Assemble from 6.45pm at St Philips Church Hall, Avondale Square, SE1 5PD, near Asda on Old Kent Rd. Help to improve existing neighbourhoods and existing communities’ health and wellbeing. * Cllr Rebecca Lury, Council deputy leader and Cabinet member for Culture, Leisure, Equalities and Communities * Cllr Johnson Situ, Cabinet Member for Growth, Development and Planning * Professor Kevin Fenton, Strategic Director of Place and Wellbeing, the Chief Officer for the new Council department, which has brought together planning, regeneration, public health and community engagement. Please register through eventbrite here: https://bit.ly/2KYEA1M Organised by the Southwark Planning Network (SPN)
Southwark Council are looking at ways to improve the streets south of Burgess Park, with a view to making the area safer and healthier for all road users.
Workshops to help Southwark design the future look and feel of these streets.
Session 1: Tuesday 30 January 6pm
Session 2: Tuesday 13 February from 3pm
Session 3: Wednesday 21 March from 5.30pm to 8pm
At St Luke’s Church Peckham, Chandler Way, Peckham, London, SE15 6LU.
First session: for residents and road users to tell us what the issues are in these streets.
Second session: Walking tour of the area to look at the some of the issues identified and co-design workshop where residents will work with a specialist street design team to come up with ideas for improving the roads.
Third session: local people will have a chance to comment on the design proposals and help make further changes.
Further information, or contact highways@southwark.gov.uk, call 020 7525 2347, or write to FREEPOST RSCT-BHXK-SCAJ, Highways Division (Transport Projects) Floor 3, Hub 2, Southwark Council, PO BOX 64529, London, SE1P 5LX.
New sports centre and pitches consultation
Thursday 11 January 2018, 4.00 -7.00pm at Burgess Park Community Sports Centre, Cobourg Road, SE5 0JD
Southwark Council with match funding from Parklife Funding Partners (The FA, the Premier League and Sport England) are presenting draft design proposals for developing the community sports hub . Who will run the new facility? Will there be more fencing of sports’ fields? Will Cobourg Road and Neate Street be closed? What will the provision be for access to Cobourg School? Will there be through routes for pedestrians and cyclists? What about parking? Will trees be cut down? Please come along and say what you think about the new plans. Download a pdf of the latest plans.Email your comments to Southwark by 19 January 2018.
WWI Centenary Memorial
A new public art installation is being planned for Burgess Park. Ten small replica houses will be placed close to the site of the 1917 Zeppelin bomb. More details and locations are on the application for planning permission. Friends of Burgess Park Zeppelin 1917 project.
Burgess Park West closures
New Church Road is being permanently closed from 4 December as part of the Burgess Park West project. Lighting on New Church Road is being switched off as well as the lighting on the pathway that leads from Albany Road to New Church Road. This is for safety reasons as Southwark do not want people to follow a lit route from Albany Road into the park since it is a dead end. Southwark urge you not to travel through the park after dark until the new lit pathway is open. The new Quietway 7 cycle pathway which will cut through the park will be built as an alternative route. It is expected to open in spring 2018.
Trees earmarked for removal in Site A (see map) will be felled in the week starting February 5th.
This is the latest stage in the implementation of the Burgess Park Masterplan. More information on the project can be found here: www.southwark.gov.uk/burgessparkwest or contact John Wade (020 7525 0141) or Pippa Krishnan (020 7525 5133).
Consultations on the Burgess Park West new play area will take place on:
Tuesday 28 November 3.30 to 5pm Chumleigh Gardens play area, next to the Park Life café, off Albany Road. If the weather is poor the consultation will be inside the Chumleigh West building, which will be signposted from the play area.
Monday 4th December 6pm to 8pm Southwark Council’s offices 160 Tooley Street, SE1 2QH
Drop by to see the emerging design which has taken into account previous consultation results, and tell the designers your ideas and opinions.
If you cannot attend either session and are still interested in the play area design, please get in touch with Pippa Krishnan pippa.krishnan@southwark.gov.uk
Burgess Park Café
A new catering company will be taking over Burgess Park Café. The café will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, 30 and 31 October 2017. Southwark Council apologise for the inconvenience and thank Prestigious Catering Ltd trading as Park Life Café who will cease operations on Sunday, 29 October 2017. A Fuorvito & Sons will take over on Wednesday, 1 November 2017.
Friends of Burgess Park Meetings
First Tuesday of each month All welcome from 7-9 pm Burgess Park Community Sports Centre, 106 Cobourg Road, SE5 0JV.
Bridge to Nowhere history project
The Bridge to Nowhere heritage project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund involved loads of people to learn more about the history and heritage of Burgess Park. The project included the Wells Way underpass artwork – a reminder of the main feature of the area which lead to the creation of the park – the Grand Surrey Canal. And we have launched the new Burgess Park Heritage Trail. Look out for the blue plaques around the park.
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Burgess Park fishing lake was redesigned in 2012/13 and opened to the public along with the rest of the park after five years.
