We have recently applied for a grant to perform a much-needed ecological survey of the Common which will be used to direct our efforts on future projects.
We have also applied for funds to install more seating and some metal information panels in the Common to provide details of the ecology and history of the site.
In late July 2020 we were informed that our grant for new interpretive signage and seating was successful! Just over £8,000 will be made available to the group – thank you to those involved in making this grant and to the Greenwich Neighbourhood Growth Fund for accepting our application!
We’re in the process of doing audits of the wildlife on the common, including tree and butterfly audits, which we hope to publish here soon.
Do you have any expertise in recognising and auditing our flora and fauna, and have some time to help us on the Common? If so, get in contact!
John Denton has kindly completed a tree audit, which is available from our downloads page.
Fly tipping has become an almost nightly problem on the lower parts of the common which are easily accessed from Circular Way. Vans are able to quickly dump hazardous waste including sharp material, chemicals and asbestos over areas of the common used daily by commuters, walkers, dog owners and by families taking their children to the nursery.
Circular Way is already a no-through road and traffic flow in the area would not be affected at all if it was blocked off. Indeed, blocking off Circular Way would save countless resources and time from the council waste services, the MoD and the Friends of Woolwich Common volunteers who all strive to clean up the common against the ever increasing odds. Residents want a clean common which they can use safely and be proud of.
The common is an example of acid grassland which is rare in London and under threat nationally. The grassland provides the right conditions for a very wide range of insects, birds and plants, including some which are very rare. This simple step would make all the difference to protecting the common.
You can sign the petition for the closure of Circular Way here
Update: Greenwich Council’s Highways Committee chaired by Aidan Smith recommended an experimental closure of Circular Way at Ha Ha Road.
Update October 2019: Greenwich Council have now closed Circular Way to traffic!
Woolwich based art workshop / venue / cafe: artFix worked with members of the Friends of Woolich Common to transform unsightly litter collected during our monthly litter-picks into art, a fantastic sculture that was displayed to the public at the Woolwich Centre.