Christmas in the Gorne Wood

Christmas Past

In December 1854 Anna Strictland travelled from America and visited Lewisham. Anna’s uncle was the famous American abolishionist Elihu Burritt and when in England he usually stayed in Brockley Green Farm (now Crofton Park) with his close friends the Colgate family. Gorne Wood is the only section left of the original Brockley Green and some of the trees, still alive today, would have been around 200 years old when Anna came to stay on the farm with the Colgate sisters. Here is how Anna described her Christmas in Brockley.

‘I went with dear Jane Colgate to the Lewisham Church and heard a sermon from the clergyman, Mr Legg who I thought needed energy and more originality of thought. The old parish churches here are generally situated in the very midst of a burial ground. Thus the living worshipers are surrounded by the silent and much more numerous congregation of the dead whose monuments frequently come up even to the very doors of the church…In the evening, I parched some corn which amused them exceedingly as it was quite new to the English…Thus several hours passed away most merrily while engaged in this amusement. Our talking and laughing keeping time to the pop, pop, pop of the corn which seemed in as merry a mood as it danced in the dish.

..we thought we ought not to neglect taking the fresh air. So after warming our cloaks, shawls and many other articles of clothing, dear Ellen, Julia and myself sallied forth and actually walked nearly three miles without stopping to rest. But this was not necessary as the cold bracing air gave us fresh energy and vigor. During our walk we took an imaginary sail up or down the canal..This we accomplished by standing on a bridge which was over the canal and the singular appearance of the bridge & water by looking at the edge of them both makes it seem as if you were sailing.

…we took the train for the Crystal Palace ..and were quite overpowered with its magnificence, especially the courts. I saw many improvements since my last visit there. The music of several distinguished brass bands added much to the pleasure. In the transit was a very large Christmas tree, loaded with various nice things. On the top of the branches was spread white cotton wool, which made it appear as if it were covered with snow.’

Christmas Present

Although much has changed in 168 years, last weekend we braved the cold to celebrate Christmas. We sang carols with the Nunhead Community Choir, shared mulled wine, ate mince pies and looked across at the same woodland as Anna Strictland did all those years ago. Today Gorne Wood, the last fragment of the original Brockley Green is slowly being destroyed under private ownership but we aim to get it back.

Please watch this short clip of Christmas Present by Daniel Saunders.

Christmas Future

We have raised £65,000 in 9 months and expect a £10,000 donation from an environmental charity in the New year (will share more details later). This will take us to £75,000 of the 100K target. We will secure this site, un-do the damage, restore the meadow, conserve the Ancient Woodland enjoyed for centuries and protect the wildlife. But we need cash! If you want to donate to a campaign this Christmas then please consider this one.

https://localgiving.org/appeal/ancientwoodland/

Thank-you

Thanks to everyone who supported us this year. Funders, volunteers, cake makers, film makers, legal advisors, artists, musicians, school staff, children, neighbours, journalists, charities, bird, bat, bug and hedgehog surveyors, wildlife rescuers, network rail and many more. Have a wonderful Christmas.

Best wishes

The Fourth Reserve