Friends of Wandsworth Common

14/08/2026

Job done!

Our trees are struggling. We have several volunteers out watering on , with watering cans and a few bowsers.

Please get in touch if you’d like to help. If you’re already watering, let us know where. We can team you up with others nearby.

Every little helps in this weather. You can even do it while walking the dog!

Thank you
🌳🌳🌳

24/06/2026

On the hottest day of the year so far, moments of cool calm on our beautiful

Newly hatched tufted ducklings are in a prime location to cool off in the lake…..

The small copper and Essex skipper are emerging …… some of the 30 species of butterfly we have

…and plenty of stag beetles to see around dusk

What will we find in our moth trap on Saturday morning?

07/06/2026

Thanks to all those who came on our litter pick today. An enthusiastic bunch of all ages going to the far flung corners of the Common, which we don’t get to on our regular Monday morning picks.

Thanks to Lou, John & Cathy for organising everyone.

If you’d like to join our ‘litterati’ mailing list for future picks, e-mail us at [email protected]

30/04/2026

The Lawn Bowls season is in full swing on the green.

Give it a try and help preserve the last public bowling green in Wandsworth.

Social bowls sessions organised by Friends of Wandsworth Common Friday evenings 5.30 to 7.30. Basic tuition provided, no previous knowledge required. Play with whoever turns up. Refreshments available for a small donation.
What’s not to like!!

Bookings at other times through on a ‘pay and play’ basis

15/04/2026

In March, we unveiled a Wandsworth green plaque to Doreen Evans, a leading local racing driver based in the Bellevue garage, just the other side of Althorp Road.

Doreen’s racing career was short, starting in 1933 at the age of 17, as soon as she got her driving license, and ending in 1936. But it was no less prestigious for that - with many notable 1sts on the circuit with record breaking speeds and times.

During the Brookland’s International trophy, her car suddenly caught fire, leading to a crash on the Member’s banking. She managed to slow the vehicle enough to leap out with only minor injuries, though her car was a writeoff.

The garage on Bellevue Road was an MG outlet, and these were the cars she drove.

Her MG N-type, registration BLL 492, was one of the most famous custom MGs ever made.

After marrying she moved to the US and became a pilot!

Her MG N-type, after being off the road for several years, finally followed her, when it was bought and restored by Brenda Benzar, who now displays it at MG meets in the US

15/04/2026

We recently held our annual quiz night, hosted again by local comedian, author and broadcaster Jason Hazeley.

This year we broadened the theme to include all of Wandsworth. The back room of the Althorp was packed.

Feedback suggested some of the questions were quite challenging but everyone enjoyed it, with the Battersea Society team carrying off the prize hamper.

We’ve already started compiling next year‘s questions. Join the Friends for more information.

15/04/2026

We held a walk to mark the arrival of the fourth of our Heritage Information Boards on the Common. The walk started on North side, near the edge of the former Black Sea lake, then moved to Skylark, the side of the old Neil‘s farm buildings, then over to the Three Island pond, the oldest surviving heritage feature on the Common, and ended back on the Scope, where the former Craig telescope once stood.

We will hold further walks based on the boards later in the year.

Find out more about the history of Wandsworth Common and our Heritage group on our website or from [email protected]

04/04/2026

Join our Heritage group to find out more about how the Common and its surrounds used to be.

This year we’ve had talks on the Falcon Brook - the river that still runs under Northcote Road on the way to the Thames, and used to flow through the extensive back gardens of the imposing ‘5 houses’ on Bolingbroke Grove.

We also learned how Clapham Junction came to built and the battles over its name and the routing of the various lines that converge on it.

We’re also working on a project to capture the Common’s most recent history - since the 1960s. The picture shows one of the many trees lost during the Great Storm of 1987, this one outside Skylark.

We have a meeting on April 14th 6pm.

And in May we’ll have a talk and a walk to uncover how Bellevue Road has changed over the years. Who knew that ChezBruce used to be a butchers?

You can also catch all our talks on our website and join the Friends to find out more

26/01/2026

🌿 Deep Dive Weekend Woodland Litter Pick | Wandsworth Common 🌿

This weekend we held our first ‘Deep Dive’ woodland litter pick of the year, meeting at our litter cupboard near the Skylark Café. Despite wet and wintry weather, a dozen brilliant volunteers still turned up — proof that community mindedness doesn’t stop for a bit of rain.

Our Deep Dive picks are timed for the winter with vegetation dying back and birds and other creatures not yet nesting. It’s the ideal moment to reach hidden litter that would otherwise quietly impact habitats all year.
Everything is sorted into recyclables (mainly cans & bottles) and the rest, so helping the environment as well as the Common’s biodiversity.

💚 Why it matters
• Litter removal protects wildlife and improves soil and water health
• Cleaner green spaces support stronger, healthier communities
Recycling keeps rubbish going to incineration
• Studies show community litter picks increase local pride and long-term stewardship of shared spaces

🧤 Good to know
• All litter-picking equipment is provided
• No experience needed — just time, care and sensible clothing

If you’d like to join future litter picks, email
📩 [email protected]
You’ll receive health & safety guidance and updates on upcoming sessions.

Weekly sessions Mondays at 11am
Weekends monthly - next in February

Many hands make light work — and a cleaner, healthier Common for everyone

Thanks to all our litter pick leads and especially new weekend litter pick lead Lou

22/12/2025