NATURAL ELTHAM


time for my Review of the Year. We’re so lucky in Eltham


having such a crop to choose from, I’ll divide my awards into categories.


www.naturaleltham.official.ws


And the Winner is .......... It’s


Mammals: Step forward the bats I saw on Shooters Hill, common and soprano pipistrelles. My award goes to the Bat Conservation Trust for organising a walk with bat detector boxes.


Insects: Take a bow the flying ants which this year over-populated our pavements with a spectacular numerical outburst and this year just pipped the stag beetles for the award.


Wildflowers: Must be the pyramidal orchids, at a site I can’t reveal in detail on Bexley Road. A close call, given the quantity of hay meadows we now have across SE9 which host a range of colourful arable weeds, but the gorgeous pure purple pyramids looked a treat this year.


in America. She took first place in the International Fitness Championship, and second place in the Grace and Physique Class.


GI Jane scoops First Prize Sarah


Donohue triumphed in November’s Tri-Fitness


At the age of 40 Sarah is still peaking and says she feels better than ever and looks better than she did in her 20’s. Sarah is keen to showcase her successes and promote ‘older women taking more notice of health and fitness, I’ve had many set-backs, and if I can do it, I’m sure there are more women out there that can also do it! Coming back and winning is incredible. I was happy just to be able to compete, I didn’t think I’d get a medal, or 2.‘


Due to an injury, Sarah had been unable to compete for two years. Merits big congratulations to Sarah. Proof that hard work can give great results, and that almost anything can be overcome. I took all this as a personal challenge. Master


30


Birds: Did I hear you say pheasant at Pippenhall? Or water rail at Woodlands Farm? Good shots but my ornithological mind tells me that the increasing frequency which the little egret is seen at Sutcliffe Park must take the prize; it’s a sign of warmer things to come, like the


SEnine Jason Gr Jason GreenJason Green


hoopoe spotted near Kidbrooke station. Butterflies/moths: Eltham’s


new


arrival in a mixed season for butterflies was the Jersey Tiger moth. Up to a dozen each night were caught; interestingly, it’s the yellow hind-wing form which is most common. This gets the prize, although there are reports of a white- lettered hairstreak as well.


Habitat: The new butterfly garden at The Tarn. Amazingly created from a piece of abandoned woodland, the Tarn friends group have created a brand new lake-side habitat with a range of wildlife-friendly planting. Shows what can be done with a bit of determination and hard labour.


Prospects for 2011? The new Eltham Nature Club! Come and celebrate the natural wonders of Eltham. Watch this space or email Patrick O’Sullivan at St Mary’s Community Centre (stmarys-eltham@fsmail.net)


my fitness.


I’ve done


it before and truth be told, kick myself more often about not maintaining it, than I rue not actually being fit. Once you are there, it is relatively easy to stay there. So I shall start by shoehorning running into my schedule. I do love a good run. Bracing way to start the day. I just too often feel an extra hour in bed will do me more good. But I’ve been both inspired and reminded of how far I’ve declined. The only way is to just do it.


Story by Beattie Slavin


Next month, I plan to add some gym work. Master those painful plyometrics and heavy weights that Sarah had shown me. And in the mean time if you see me running (feels like I’m a gazelle, though maybe I shuffle more like a penguin) through Eltham, applaud my ability to get off the couch and master my own timekeeping.


Take a walk in the Pleasaunce


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40