THE COWS ARE BACK!
April 2025
Thanks to the efforts of the National Trust in coordination with the Petersham Meadows Advisory Group we now have seven Angus cross Hereford heifers for the 2025 grazing season.
For more information on the grazing history and current strategy, visit the NT Ham House website (scroll down the NT page to the Petersham Meadow section).
Thanks to the efforts of the National Trust in coordination with the Petersham Meadows Advisory Group we now have seven Angus cross Hereford heifers for the 2025 grazing season.
For more information on the grazing history and current strategy, visit the NT Ham House website (scroll down the NT page to the Petersham Meadow section).
PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITY PUB
!!Community alert!!
Since taking over in summer 2024, new leaseholders Tom and Jola (along with manager Robert) have done a fantastic job in restoring a sense of community in the village pub, the Fox & Duck.
Sadly, corporate owners Stonegate have put the car park up for sale. Any proposed development on the car park would face very stiff opposition:
Some years back, the Petersham Environment Trust managed to designate the pub as an Asset of Community Value (ACV). The community rights under the ACV have now been exercised triggering a moratorium and giving the community a right to bid on on the proposed property disposal. The moratorium ends on July 14th, 2025.
If you would like to know more about this situation, please email [email protected]
Since taking over in summer 2024, new leaseholders Tom and Jola (along with manager Robert) have done a fantastic job in restoring a sense of community in the village pub, the Fox & Duck.
Sadly, corporate owners Stonegate have put the car park up for sale. Any proposed development on the car park would face very stiff opposition:
- from Council planning (being in a Conservation Area)
- from the Highways department (due to serious congestion implications)
- and from local residents.
Some years back, the Petersham Environment Trust managed to designate the pub as an Asset of Community Value (ACV). The community rights under the ACV have now been exercised triggering a moratorium and giving the community a right to bid on on the proposed property disposal. The moratorium ends on July 14th, 2025.
If you would like to know more about this situation, please email [email protected]
FIXING THE BRIDGE AND STILEApril 2025
After much lobbying of the council, we are delighted to report that the footbridge and stile by Petersham Lodge Woods have been fixed. |
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HERITAGE PLANTERSMarch 2025
Two stone trough-planters have been installed in the approach to Petersham. One is on the Petersham Road (opposite the Rose of York pub), and the other on Star & Garter Hill. They have been funded by the Petersham Environment Trust, Petersham Common Conservators (PCC) and the Ham and Petersham Association & Amenities Group. |
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CATTLE ON PETERSHAM MEADOWSMarch 2025: After much discussion between the National Trust (Ham House) and the Petersham Meadows Advisory Group (PMAG) over the past two years, we are delighted to report that a new cattle provider has been secured.
Seven heifers should be arriving mid-April until October, subject to suitable grazing conditions. May 2024: We have missed the cattle this year. The National Trust, who manage the meadows, have assured us that 2023 is a one-off 'Fallow Year" and they will be back again next spring. We were however, rewarded with sight of shire horses in the meadows for a couple of days cutting the grass in the old-fashioned way. National Trust Petersham Meadows |
JUBILEE PLAQUE UNVEILEDMay 2022: To mark the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 1977, a commemorative plaque was commissioned by the people of Petersham and erected opposite the Fox & Duck at the entrance to Ham Avenues.
In 2022 Petersham Environment Trust and the Ham & Petersham Association commissioned a new plaque to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee, the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II. It features an historic map of the village and the royal coat of arms. |
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CHITTY HOLE HEDGEROW RESTORATION
Volunteers clearing the area April 2022
Completed restoration May 2022
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March 2022: The Petersham Environment Trust contributed to a project to restore the hedgerow on Petersham Meadows at Chitty Hole near Buccleuch Gardens.
The hedgerow helps to soften the concrete wall in this area and provides an excellent wildlife habitat for invertebrates and songbirds. But over the years a mass of brambles had choked the path and made it impassable, and significant work need to be undertake to re- establish the hedgerow for the benefits of wildlife and improved public access. The hedgerow was also extended in length by 17m. 186 native trees were planted to fill up the gaps in the hedgerow and to diversify the mix to increase the biodiversity. 68 volunteers engaged in the project learning new skills and helping in the community. |
NEW FENCE FOR PETERSHAM LODGE WOODS
June 2021: The original fence had been installed 20 years ago as part of the Arcadian Thames project. But after all this time the fence was in a bad state and danger of collapse. Petersham Environment Trust alerted the council and ask them to repair the fence. The council agreed to undertake the work and the charity agreed to contribute £10,000 - half of the total cost. Hopefully the new fence will last for another 20 years.
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FOX & DUCK TO REOPENJune 2020: At a time when so many pubs are closing it is very good news that the Fox & Duck has been taken over by the Old Spot Pub Company who plan to renovate and reopen the pub.
The company have signed a 25 year lease and they and Ei (the owners) are jointly investing £400k to renovate the premises. Old Spot are very keen for the pub to be asset for the community and hope that locals will feel welcome there and want to visit. |
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NEW PLANTERS HELP WIN RICHMOND IN BLOOM AWARD
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September 2019: The trust funded the installation of a new planter to replace a number of unsightly utility boxes. The project was carried out by local residents in collaboration with the Ham & Petersham London in Bloom group and Petersham Nurseries.
There are other similar troughs in the village which have contributed to Ham & Petersham winning a Gold award in Small London Village category of the 2019 London in Bloom Awards. More information here.
There are other similar troughs in the village which have contributed to Ham & Petersham winning a Gold award in Small London Village category of the 2019 London in Bloom Awards. More information here.
THE FOX & DUCK NOW AN ASSET OF COMMUNITY VALUEOctober 2018: The Petersham Environment Trust succeeded in its application to the London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames to list this local pub as an asset of community value.
The legislation is designed to inform the local community when as asset of importance is being sold and may undergo a change of use. Should the owner - Ei - wish to sell the premises they need to inform the local council. The local community then has six weeks to register their interest in making a bid for the premises. The Fox & Duck is a long-established public house located at the heart of the village serving the local community. There has been a public house on the site since around 1700, and its heritage forms an important part of the community’s historic, cultural & social identity. |
The Fox & Duck Public House in Petersham
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NEW WOODEN BOLLARDS AT CEDAR HEIGHTS
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April 2017: These bollards - opposite The Dysart, to the right of the entrance to Richmond Park - were very damaged and unsightly.
They have now been placed with wooden bollards by the council, and paid for by the Trust with funds raised from Petersham Open Gardens. You can read more here. |
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New Wooden Bollards
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NEW PATH AND LIGHTINGSeptember 2016: The path between River Lane & Petersham Nurseries had become impassable in bad weather. The lights were industrial in style and scale and not in keeping with a conversation area.
Both have now been replaced with funds from Petersham Open Gardens and the council has agreed to ongoing maintenance. |
Path previously
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Wth new path and lights
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PLANS FOR RESTORATION OF PETERSHAM WOODS FINALISEDAugust 2016: Our collaboration with the London Borough of Richmond resulted the publication of a ten year plan to restore and manage and the woods. The plan sets our a clear set of objectives for detailed implementation plans. Work has already begun....
You can read more here. |
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TRUST FUNDS HORSE TEAMS FOR HAM AVENUES CUTTINGMay 2015: The Petersham Environment Trust will be funding the bi-annual cutting of the Avenues this year. The avenues will be mown using the heavy horses from Richmond Park which should prove an exciting project and worth watching. More information here.
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RESTORATION & MAINTENANCE OF PETERSHAM LODGE WOODSJune 2014: Following a successful fundraising from Petersham Open Gardens in 2014 the Petersham Environment Trust is working with the London Borough of Richmond to restore the woods. You can read more here.
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WAR MEMORIAL RESTORATIONApril 2014: The Petersham Environment Trust recently made a contribution to St Peters Church for the restoration of the World War II Memorial.
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JUBILEE PLAQUE RESTORED2012: The plaque was commissioned by the residents of Petersham for the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 1997 and restored by the Ham and Petersham Association and the Petersham Environment Trust for her Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
The plaque sits on the wall just off Petersham Road opposite the Fox and Duck by the entrance to Ham Polo Club. |
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Restoration of Petersham Meadows
Petersham Meadows is a key feature of the view from Richmond Hill – the only view protected by an act of parliament in the country.The Trust was originally founded in order to protect the Meadows in for future generations. Funds were raised by local people to restore the meadow and in 2010 it was handed over the National Trust along with an endowment to fund its long term upkeep. For more information see History and Projects.
"Petersham Meadows were part of the Ham House Estate granted to the Tollemache Family in the 17thcentury.
In 1870 the meadows were rented by Messrs Hornby and Clarke who built the Milking Parlour and based their flourishing dairy business here.
Increasing public concern over proposals to build on the meadows led to the passing of the 1902 Open Spaces Act preserving the view of Petersham Meadows from Richmond Hill for posterity.
Over time the land became neglected and run down. In 1997 Chris Brasher and local people formed the Petersham Trust, a registered charity. Entirely supported by donations, the trust maintained the meadows and buildings, ensuring that cows grazed there for the greater part of the year.
In 2009, having achieved their aims, the Petersham Environment Trust assigned the lease to the National Trust
The Petersham Trust"
In 1870 the meadows were rented by Messrs Hornby and Clarke who built the Milking Parlour and based their flourishing dairy business here.
Increasing public concern over proposals to build on the meadows led to the passing of the 1902 Open Spaces Act preserving the view of Petersham Meadows from Richmond Hill for posterity.
Over time the land became neglected and run down. In 1997 Chris Brasher and local people formed the Petersham Trust, a registered charity. Entirely supported by donations, the trust maintained the meadows and buildings, ensuring that cows grazed there for the greater part of the year.
In 2009, having achieved their aims, the Petersham Environment Trust assigned the lease to the National Trust
The Petersham Trust"
