Category: News

We have received the following message regarding this important site in Shirley :-

MHA is  delighted to invite you to find out more out more about volunteering opportunities to revitalise our seven- acre historic ecological garden and deliver an exciting activities programme. We are having our first volunteer open days 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd April.

As you know The Wilderness was the original home on the site on Shirley Church Road, built by the Rev William Wilks, complete with a seven-acre garden designed by him on his retirement around the turn of the 20th century. It is now MHA Hall Grange Care Home for older people.

The site of the garden was formerly part of Shirley Common, or Addington Hills as it is known today. It includes natural heathland and the little pockets of acid grassland and heathland heather. One of the most interesting features is the sphagnum bog, which is home to some very rare plant species. In addition, the bog area is the only remnant of a once more widespread habitat in the area and means that The Wilderness is designated a Site Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation.

Wilks approach to gardening was non-interventionist and he sought to accentuate the natural beauty of the landscape rather than impose upon it. He managed The Wilderness and the work he put in to it is still visible today, albeit overgrown with many of the original paths and plant species either dormant or overtaken by more invasive plant species.  Our volunteers will help to develop a magical multi-generational outdoor experience for the residents of Hall Grange and of the local community through a range of conservation, restoration activities and tasks along with the promotion of the unique heritage of The Wilderness.

Join us to find out more about this exciting programme, the roles we have available, how we will support you and the benefits this exciting programme will bring to the local community.

We look forward to meeting you at the following open days: at MHA Hall Grange, Shirley Church Road, Croydon, CR9 5AL Please come to the main entrance of the Care Home.

Light refreshments will be served. We will be mainly indoors for a short presentation, meet the team and sign up opportunities.  Please bring/ wear suitable clothing and footwear for an outdoor tour.

Monday 1st April 2pm- 5pm-To find out more about Garden Conservation and Restoration

The main focus of this event will be let you know how you can help with practical gardening and conservation tasks as part of an exciting programme to Reclaim the Wilderness.

Tuesday 2nd April 2pm- 5pm- To find out more about Activities, Events and Green-care

The main focus of this event will be to let you know how you can help with the delivery of a range of informal and formal outdoor learning activities for residents of Hall Grange Care Home and the wider community. We will also be letting you know about how you can help us to deliver an exciting seasonal calendar of community events in the Wilderness garden

Wednesday 3rd April 2pm- 5pm- Outreach and Oral History Project

The main focus of this event will be to let you know how you can help with the delivery of an outreach exhibition inspiring people to engage further with the programme of Reclaiming the Wilderness. We will also be letting you know how you can help us take part in an exciting oral history project to capture the living memories of The Wilderness.

Please RSVP by emailing alice.henry@mha.org.uk or by calling

Head Gardener Alice Henry on 07966 232359

Supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund

We have been advised of two recent break-ins to cars parked on front drives, where car windows have been smashed to steal, one presumes, items left on the seats, or look for parking cash from the glove compartment, or perhaps to steal the car. It’s safest not to leave any items visible in the body of your car when parked … even an empty carrier bag may look tempting to a thief.

The planning application can be seen here …

http://publicaccess2.croydon.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=PACRIIJLJZ400‬

	In an emergency always dial 999. When non urgent please call 101.   Contact details for your local policing team are: 02087212469 Shirley.SNT@met.police.uk Follow us on twitter for further updates at @MPSShirley   You can anonymously contact crime stoppers on 0800 555 111.

	Residents of Shirley, please be aware there have been a recent increase in burglaries in the area. You are receiving this poster as the burglars are targeting houses near you! Since December we have had 26 burglaries and we fear this is rising. The method the suspects are using is accessing the REAR of properties, and smashing doors and windows open. Most of these burglaries are occurring on WEEKDAYS, late afternoon to evening times. The suspects appear to only be taking cash and jewellery, and the most recent burglaries this month have targeted vulnerable, elderly residents.
		–         Please be vigilant and call 101 if you see any suspicious activity/persons/vehicles in the area. –         Try and get Vehicle registrations if you spot suspicious vehicles and pass these to your local policing team. –         Ensure all doors and windows are locked, especially when you leave your address… THIS INCLUDES YOUR PORCH DOOR! –         Do not leave your bins next to your garden fence; this makes it so easy for suspects to jump over into gardens and garages/flat roofs. –         If you can try and make your address look occupied in the evening if you are not there. For example leaving a living room light on, or having lights flicker on and off on a set timer. –    Do not leave valuables on show. –         Do not leave keys on show through window, or leave them in doors.