Please do not park your car in the middle of our park

The latest in an occasional series about people who park wherever they feel like in Brockley. Tom writes:

"I live near Hilly Fields and love the park. I went for my evening run yesterday and came across these guys. I'm not normally one to get involved in moaning on internet but thought this didn't seem right to me.

"I'm all for using the park for a picnic, drinks, general socialising, it's a fantastic spot for this but my main issue was the car on the park...so they could play music. A bit of a liberty from my perspective and I'm guessing completely against park rules."

Flat Fields

It's been a while since we've had an historical postcard of Brockley to look at. Here's one of Hilly Fields, which somehow contrives to make the park look flat.

Hilly Fields & Montague Avenue #Brockley #SE4 pic.twitter.com/ZLwGEFdZnq

— @SE23LDN (@se23ldn) May 2, 2017

Hilly Fields Evening Walks

Michael writes:

Hilly Fields early evening walks have started again.

Come and enjoy the views, the setting sun, the company and some gentle exercise!

We meet on Mondays 6.30pm at the benches outside Frances Drake Bowls club, near 484 bus stop (24 April – late October). The walk group is led by volunteer walk leaders and we walk for 30 -45 minutes.

For more information: Jenny Budd: Healthywalks@gcda.org.uk

... Or you can just turn up or register on

www.walkingforhealth.org.uk/walkfinder/lewisham-healthy-walks

The Lewisham 3 Peaks Challenge – 16 July

The Lewisham 3 Peaks Challenge is a sponsored walk taking place on 16 July 2016, starting at 11.00am in Hilly Fields Park, SE4. It will follow the route of the new 3 Peaks Green Route, which links up the hilly parks of Hilly Fields, One Tree Hill and Blythe Hill with the shops and cafes of Crofton Park, Honor Oak and Ladywell.

A group of local residents has produced an illustrated map and guide to the walk with funding from Ladywell Assembly. The 5-mile circular route passes through parks and historic cemeteries, as well visiting some popular shopping streets, with plenty of pubs and cafes for refreshment stops.

The guide includes interesting historical information and suggests what to look out for along the way. For people coming from outside the area – or who want a short cut - there are plenty of transport links to join the route.

To launch the new walk, residents have teamed up with the Stephen Lawrence Trust and For Jimmy. A sponsored walk on Saturday 16 July will ‘christen’ the circular route and raise money for the charities.

Money is also being raised from the donations received for the maps and from sales of a special limited edition ‘Lewisham 3 Peaks Challenge’ t-shirt. This has been designed by Guardian cartoonist and local resident, Martin Rowson.

Further information available on Facebook or Twitter. You can also sign up to raise money for the charities at: bit.ly/1OBS7rN

Boost recycling in Hilly Fields

Chris has launched a petition to persuade Lewisham Council to improve recycling rates in Hilly Fields. He writes:

Lewisham council has a terrible reputation for recycling. This is worse in its parks where the council no longer even separates waste for recycling. There are not enough bins already and they are not emptied often enough.

We need more bins that should allow us to separate out recyclable rubbish so that cans, glass and cardboard can be kept apart from food waste. And we need those bins emptied before they overflow. I volunteer to empty bins in Hilly Fields so I know how often people have separated out their recycling and put them in different bags next to already overflowing bins.

The Friends of Hilly Fields support this campaign.

Please sign the petition and let's see some action.

Jazz rags on Hilly Fields

Local artist Alex will be making these Eric Carle-alike trees during performances in Hilly Fields Cafe for the rest of June. Alex says:

My Jazzy Trees are made using coloured Nepalese paper on South Indian Khadi paper, both handmade from 100% recycled cotton rags.

If you like these pictures, want to buy one or want me to make a special one with the colours of your home, please write to myjazzygarden@gmail.com

Colours for children and grown ups, they will bring you the summer.

The Brockley Midsummer Fayre, June 18

Stalls at the 2015 Fayre

The Brockley Midsummer Fayre takes place this Saturday, June 18th, midday-5pm on Hilly Fields.

By now you hopefully all know the deal: Food, craft and jumble stalls, inflatables, land-train, birds of prey (awesome) and jolly people with microphones whipping up a bit of audience participation in things. You won't believe you're in Zone 2 London.

Head along and pray for sun.

Cafe Culture

More wall murals going up, this time Hilly Fields. So lucky to live in such a creative community @BrockleyCentral pic.twitter.com/pSprDiirTM

— Ellie O'Mahoney (@Ellieomahoney) June 3, 2016

Under-11s Fun Fair, Hilly Fields

The Lewisham 3 Peaks Challenge

One of the best things about a walk up to Hilly Fields is the view out across to Lewisham's other green peaks when you get there. So this charity walk is a stroke of genius. The team explains:

Meet Lewisham's very own 3 Peaks Challenge in support of For Jimmy & The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust. Saturday 16th July Hilly Fields Park, SE4 - 11.00am Join the launch of the new ‘3 Peaks Green Walk’ and take part in a sponsored walk in aid of two charities supporting young people. 

A new five mile circular walking route links local green space (Hilly Fields, Ladywell Fields, Blythe Hill and One Tree Hill) with cafe-and-shop-lined streets. The walking route is designed to encourage anyone to explore and enjoy the local neighbourhood. For Jimmy and the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust are joining with local residents to promote the very first fun hike along the new route. Our message is that our streets and parks are for everyone to enjoy, and we all benefit from making our neighbourhood a safe place for children to grow up in.

To find out more and get involved, click here.

Action For Refugees Walk, May 7th

Chloe writes:

I'm a marketing volunteer for a local charity, Action for Refugees in Lewisham (AFRIL), and we're organising a 'mini legal walk' - to raise funds for AFRIL walkers at London Legal Walk 2016 - in Hilly Fields on 7th May.

AFRIL support refugees and migrants in the Lewisham area through a range of practical and holistic advice services that help them to rebuild their lives. This includes the weekly Rainbow Club for primary school aged children, English Language classes and an advice service providing support around housing, employment and immigration.

To raise funds for the advice service AFRIL are walking London Legal Walk on 16th May, a 10km fundraising walk around London to raise funds for legal advice organisations supporting vulnerable people. This is a big event with thousands of walkers from law firms and legal advice charities taking part.

Our Just Giving page for the Legal Walk, which also has some background info about the event, is http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/AFRIL

Through the mini walk in Hilly Fields on 7th May at 2pm we're hoping to raise awareness for AFRIL and the London Legal Walk among people in the Brockley and Lewisham area. So far we have over 10 AFRIL volunteers walking and are inviting members of the public to take part too. The walk will start at 2pm at The Francis Drake Bowls Club at the bottom of Hilly Fields.

I have done my share

In the month that scientists produced evidence of the gravitational waves predicted by Einstein's theory of general relativity, Brockley's Nobel street artist, Lionel Stanhope, has produced this portrait in Hilly Fields.

Thanks to Fintan for the photo.

Big Bird Watch, Jan 31

The Friends of Hilly Fields are holding a Big Birdwatch event this Sunday 31 January from 10.30 - 12.30 to coincide with the RSPB national event.

Join a guided walk or grab a bird ID sheet and go round by yourselves. Activities for children include making bird feeders and fat balls. The RSPB will also have a stall.

Click here for details.

The Independent tries the Hilly Fields Parkrun

Indy journalist Genevieve Roberts has written about her experience of joining the 'ominously named' Hilly Fields parkrun. Much has already been said on these pages about this excellent institution, but Roberts' article is a good guide for anyone who's been thinking about trying it in 2016. She writes:

Emma Malcolm, 44, a charity worker for Rethink Mental Illness, is organising today's run. She is one of the 10,000 volunteers who help out each week... Emma is joined by a team of volunteers including John Barron [no relation], 60, from Blackheath. When he isn't running, he volunteers... and is so enthusiastic at cheering others on that he's a big deal round Hilly Fields, credited for many regulars' record runs...

But he warns me: “This is one of the hardest courses. Lots of people come from other runs to improve their times on their home course.”

As we set off, I regret not having been running since the summer – and even then I was only going for little jogs. I also regret having not picked up the clue in the name Hilly Fields. I am swiftly overtaken by a man with a pram. I can hear my breaths draw heavily, but each time I consider halting, a volunteer is shouting encouragement and it keeps my feet moving.

As I complete my last lap around the park, and approach the biggest hill, I slow down on the treacly incline. John Barron springs into action, running up with me, telling me I can do it. His encouragement carries me the last paces to the top and around the corner to a running finish. I come in at 113th – towards the back of the pack at just over 30 minutes – but I'm elated to have completed the course and am determined to come back and improve.

I join crowds who have drifted into the park's café to get drinks. Since the first parkrun 11 years ago, cafés close to each event have become part of parkrunners' Saturday culture. 

Lisa Power is drinking coffee with her father, Sean, 68, and five-year-old son Joseph. They live locally, and Joseph has done junior parkruns 30 times. Lisa started running in 2013. “I got into it to escape my children,” she says. “They love it too. I get half an hour to run to myself. The camaraderie is incredible: within six months of parkrunning, I knew more people in London than I had in 10 years of living here. I see my progress because it's timed; I have achieved something by 10am on a Saturday; and now, when I walk down the street, I find I know people.”

Her enthusiasm seems to be shared by everyone in the café. Tien Wilde, 42, from Lewisham, has run more than 100 times. “No competition,” she says, “It's just against yourself.” She took part in a zero-to-five kilometre running course after having her son Noah, now six. “He's done 12 parkruns now, and he's faster than me,” she says.

Margaret Glover, 54, comes to parkrun with her husband Eric, aged 60. “PE lessons were dreadful when I was at school, and it put me off exercise.” she says. “This has turned me around. People are encouraging, even if you're not good, and it all makes a difference.” She walks briskly as she has a bad knee, clocking a time each week of around 43 minutes.

Each year, every parkrun has the option of holding extra events on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. At Hilly Fields last New Year, a runner had a heart attack. Two doctors running the course helped first-aiders keep him alive until an ambulance came. They saved his life, and he continues parkrunning in Peckham. The British Heart Foundation provided a defibrillator that now hangs inside the door of the café...

For the full article, click here. If you want to join the Hilly Fields parkrun, click here (or turn up on the day!). Thank you to Naomi for the spot.

Armistice Day in Hilly Fields

By Lionel Stanhope

Free bike maintenance and advice on Hilly Fields

Nestor writes:

I'm a local resident and I'm going to be offering Bike Doctor maintenance and advice workshops on Hilly Fields, every Saturday (weather permits) during warm months.

The proposed time of the session is between 11am and 3pm. The workshop will run as a one-to-one "Fix Your Bike" session where you'll have a chance to offer your bike TLC and fix most common bike problems under guidance of a experienced bike mechanic.

Bike safety and maintenance advice will be provided, and if the job is bigger than what "Dr Bike" can offer, you'll be given a scope and advice on what needs to be done. The bike stand, a set of tools, disposable materials and some spare parts will be provided. The sessions are free. No booking is required, just turn up at the park with your bike at the said time and look for a bike stand and sign for "Fix Your Bike".

The location is likely to be near the Tresillian Road. entrance to the park.

I'm an avid cyclist and cycling enthusiast and I like to promote cycling and help the community. I have been involved in a similar scheme while living in Edinburgh and that was one of the most rewarding things I've done in my life. Being a qualified bike mechanic and having a couple of hours of free time a week I could not have thought of a better pastime.

Stay safe and happy riding!

Overspilly Fields

The Friends of Hilly Fields need your help to keep the park tidy. Chris writes:

Morning park users will have seen rubbish strewn by foxes who pull bagged waste from open bins in search for food scraps. The first volunteers have begun emptying the bins just before dark to try to prevent this. More volunteers are needed.

Saturday 15 August was the first night. Two volunteers started at the Bowling Green and cleared the bins up all the way along Cliffview and Vicars Hill to the café and the play area. On the first night we managed to empty 12 bins.

On the second night, taking a trolley and some bungees to enable us to carry more bags, we managed 15 bins.

What we really need is more volunteers. Ideally we need volunteers who can come in and empty the bins on the way up from

• The corner of Adelaide Avenue and Montague Avenue.
• The corner of Hilly Fields Crescent and Montague Avenue
• The lower entrance (steps) off Vicar’s Hill
• The top of Vicar’s Hill
• The Bowling Green entrance

That would make each volunteer’s workload very small – perhaps ten minutes each. With a few volunteers rotating – and we only need to do this on sunny summer days during school holidays – each of us would only need to empty the bins perhaps 15 or 20 times a year. Get in touch via the contact page if you’d like to help. We have litter grabbers and lots of bin bags.

Father of the Year: Shaun

Shaun wins Father's Day in Brockley this year. Nice try everyone else. Better luck next year. With thanks to Maria and Fintan.

The Hilly Fields Midsummer Fayre 2015

Hilly Fields: A moo point

This is a view of Hilly Fields in the late 19th century, courtesy of Lynda on Streetlife. She also reckons that this shot is of Hilly Fields, but there are obviously few visual clues to base that on. If anyone can prove that this cow was in Brockley at the turn of the century, we will award them grazing rights in Greater Brockley.

 With thanks to Fintan.