The 2026/27 tree planting season is upon us and today was our first day in the field. 

We are filling in some gaps in the areas planted up two years ago at New Cottage Farm. Inevitably, not all the whips survived, a combination of very wet ground whilst planting, sharp frosts shortly after and a long hot and dry spell after was too much of a challenge to some. 

Over the next few weeks, we shall be planting a total of 2,000 new trees, a mixture of species; 

Field maple 

Alder 

Birch, both silver and downy 

Cherry, both wild and bird 

Hornbeam 

Dogwood 

Hazel 

Spindle 

Hawthorn 

Crab apple 

Scots pine 

Aspen 

Blackthorn 

Buckthorn 

English oak 

Dog rose 

Goat willow 

Elder 

Rowan 

Gelder rose 

Small leaved lime 

Today, fourteen of us ventured out and made a good start, planting a total of 356 trees.

Well done to all.

Andrew

Chuma. Ralph. Sue. The Mayor. John. Andrew. Paul.

The photograph above shows six of the Friends of Enfield Chase volunteer team with Cllr. Emma Supple the Mayor of Enfield.

Enfield in Bloom Awards Ceremony on 28th October 2026 at Chickenshed Theatre.

Friends of Enfield Chase last night received their gold certificate in the Best Environmental/Wildlife Garden/Meadow category.

Enfield in Bloom is a long-running, volunteer-led borough-wide gardening competition that celebrates not just attractive gardens, but biodiversity, sustainability and the people who look after many of Enfield’s green spaces.

In 2026 the competition included fourteen different categories and two special awards covering everything from front gardens and flower beds, to schools, public and communal grounds, growing spaces, wildlife gardens and community projects.

Volunteer judges visit entries in June and July, assessing factors including planting and design, maintenance, wildlife value, environmental practices and the challenges of each site.

Recognition through Enfield in Bloom helps demonstrate that this is both a large-scale landscape project but also that, at its heart, it is a community project sustained by volunteers. We are greatly supported by Enfield Coucil, its officers and local partnerships.

The restoration is transforming the historic Chase landscape through new woodland, wetlands, wildlife habitats and improved public access.

James, John, Lilly, Ossie Ardiles (legendary ex Tottenham Hotspur player)

In 2024 Enfield Chase was awarded gold for the category Best Environmental/Wildlife Area.

Rain… and more rain… for the first time in weeks! Last nights rain, followed by a sunny day gave Ralph and Lynn a real great opportunity to see how FOEC’s joint hard work has developed. Ralph and Lynn spoke to several folk who seemed pleased with what has been achieved.

Woodcroft Wildspace is a nature conservation area run by volunteers for the education and enjoyment of the people of Enfield. Please respect the wildlife, take photos only, and do not drop litter. Bins are provided.

Woodcroft Wildspace is officially recognised as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC).

As this is a free event, a small donation towards the upkeep of Woodcroft Wildspace would be greatly appreciated before we leave.

Bob will take us around the former Recreation Ground. You will see his water siphon, underground water tanks, ponds, teaching areas, composting toilet, quirky art, hand built structures, dens, climbing frame, irrigation system, orchard, solar panels, volunteers etc.

Dear John.

Many thanks for bringing the Friends of Enfield Chase along to see what Woodcroft Wildspace is all about and delighted to hear that you all enjoyed it. Everyone is welcome to visit again anytime, we’re open 9 to 5.30 daily, earlier closing once the clocks go back. Many thanks for everyone’s generous donations of £79, which will contribute to the earth bags reservoir project. Thank you all.

One of the things that we have started to do is outreach to spread the Woodcroft word and ethos. The idea being to offer what we do to other parts of the Borough e.g. schools, by offering “Woodcroft Wildspace at ……………….” where volunteers from the destination work with us for a while, take on board what we do and replicate it elsewhere.

We also discussed the Friends of Parks forum, which quite a few FoPs have felt for a while that it serves the Council more than FoPs. We noted the forum seems to have folded anyway. The idea is to get FoPs working together more closely, exchanging ideas and experiences to mutual benefit. Again the idea here is to visit each other, as you did yesterday, more often and create a Friends to Friends communication channel that actually benefits us all. This not to cut the Council out of matters, far from it, some parks rely on Council hands on to function at all and some aspects are specifically Council responsibilities and not those of FoPS, but to get a greater interaction, use of best practice and community going between us. To that end a visit to Enfield Chase would be very welcome.

Many thanks again

Bob