Gas works

The area around the junction of Dukes and Broughton Avenues has been plastered with red plastic barriers for several weeks marking work on the gas main. 

New benches on Ham Village Green

The incremental changes to Ham Village Green continue with the addition of two new benches alongside paths that cross the Green. They are markedly different to the curved bench that was added in 2019. On the plus side the new benches are higher off the ground which makes it easier to get on and off them but on the negative side they look more suited to a station than a village green.

Logs

I am always a little saddened when I see fallen trees, especially ones as large as these, and I try to reassure myself that the people who cut them down knew what they were doing both in the felling of the trees and the leaving of the remains to provide habitats.

My only real concern is whether, overall, more trees are planted than are cut down in the area and I am not sure that is the case and there is certainly scope for planting many more substantial trees.

Wild planting in The Plats

It is not that long since The Plats at Ham House were a festival of bulbs and now it is the time for the wild flowers to shine. It is because of the regular and imaginative changes the gardeners are making, added to the natural changes of the seasons, that make the gardens at Ham House well worth a regular visit.

More grey

The last time I posted a picture of this major redevlopment in Burnell Avenue it was to comment on the grey roofs and this time it is to comment on the grey windows. Colour-wise these are less out of keeping than the roofs, which makes the colour a small negative and not a positive, but their design is not to my liking - I think that the windows in the top right corner are much nicer.

Abandoned hoop

This basketball hoop has been long abandoned, judging by the encroaching brambles, and it waits patiently for a new generation of children to come and play. It may be a hopeless wait.

Wild island

The little island in Ham Pond has changed over the years through both natural and human forces and at times it has looked quite barren, as in this example from 2014. This spring it is the opposite with a covering of thick vegetation. It is a healthier look.

Sitting Buddha

There are a few Buddhas decorating houses and gardens in Ham but I have been a little remise in sharing them. I will try to fill in the gaps and here is one above a door in Ashburnham Road to start things off.

Ormeley Elephants

The latest addition to the delightful and interesting gardens at Ormeley Lodge is this pair of bamboo elephants which I was able to enjoy at Ham Open Gardens. Ormeley Lodge is open again on Sunday 3 July and is highly recommended.

The most famous local elephants can be seen any time from the top of a 65 bus and other elephants at Montrose House can be seen at Petersham Open Gardens.