We are a group of local volunteered committed to supporting LB Lewisham’s management of this surprising nature reserve. Below you will find a number of ways in which you can get involved from volunteering to visiting the site to being part of the Friends group or just showing report.
About us
Contact us
We are always looking for new members to join the Friends. This can be anything from helping with Open Days and fundraising to just showing your support by becoming a member. To get involved please contact the Friends of Dacres Wood Follow the Friends of Dacres Wood on Twitter Follow the Secret Adventure Club on Twitter
Get involved
There are many ways to get involved, you can join the Friends Group or if you feel more active you can help with volunteer day run by Nature’s Gym. They have run a number of events at Dacres Wood in the past including step building, creating dead hedges and removing reeds from the pond.
Friends and Users of Dacres Wood meetings
The Friends and Users meet every three months to discuss the reserve and to discuss ways they can make improvements to the site. We are currently in the process of strengthening and finding new ways to support the group. If you would like to be a part of this, please contact the Friends and…
Open Days
The site is usually open on the last Saturday of the month between April-October, but due to COVID-19 restrictions we have not been able to open. We hope that we can reopen to visitors from May 2021. This will of course be dependent on adhering to any Government guidelines which might be in place then…
Find Us
We’re easy to miss! We’re at the end of a drive called Honeyfield Mews which is off Dacres Road, Forest Hill, just past Catling Close on the right coming from Forest Hill, just before on the left if coming from Sydenham. Here’s how Google Street view sees us and finally a sketch map
Objectives
The Objectives of the Friends of Dacres Wood Nature Reserve are: To promote, maintain and enhance the indigenous wildlife and botanical value of Dacres Wood Nature Reserve and its educational use for the public. To maintain and enhance the traditional woodland species and encourage a good diverse structure of ground flora within the woodland, woodland…
Hello,
My name is Elaine Lee and I live in De Frene Road. I visited the site for the first time yesterday with my husband and was really impressed, both with the environment and also the six or so young volunteers working around the pond. I am almost 60 and retired early due to the ill health of both my parents. With them both now gone, I find that I have settled into a comfortable life, but really miss the focus and activity of work (though not the journey to central London nor the office politics!). I would love to play a small part as a voluntary worker in any way possible. Whilst my job was basically admin. I do need to keep more active than I now do, and believe your project would be motivation enough. I would welcome your response. Many thanks. Elaine
Dear Elaine,
Firstly, I am sorry that it has taken so long to reply, i know it has been almost 2 years. I didn’t have access to the blog and I wasn’t getting email alerts about messages, so I din’t know that you had written. Please let me know if you would still like to be involved.
Best wishes,
Jess
Hi there! I’m with the local Labour Party, Perry Vale branch, enquiring to potentially book the building by the nature reserve for a meeting later this month. Is this the correct place to ask? Are there prices. Thanks
Dear William,
Firstly, I am sorry that it has taken so long to reply. I didn’t have access to the blog and I wasn’t getting email alerts about messages, so I din’t know that you had written. I understand that we are too late for this year, but please let me know if we can help in the future.
Best wishes,
Jess
Hi,
I am a secondary teacher and I have a small (10) class of year 10 SEN pupils with autistic traits at Brent Knoll School, Forest Hill. I am looking for somewhere they could volunteer to do some work as part of their PSHE commitments. They are a pleasant bunch, not greatly able but great triers and they can surprise you with their dedication, willingness to put themselves out there and sheer bravery. Along with the class come myself and 2 Learning Support Assistants.
I need somewhere that would welcome them and allow them to do some work on Fridays during their PSHE time from 11.20 – 12.35. I have taken time off, 10 mins each way, for travel as we are not far away.
I hope you can accommodate us?
best regards,
Mr Waring
Dear John,
Firstly, I am sorry that it has taken so long to reply (over a year!). I didn’t have access to the blog and I wasn’t getting email alerts about messages, so I din’t know that you had written. Unfortunately, the site is used every day by other school groups and so we can not help you at this time. They have been using the site for over a year, so you’ve not missed out by me not seeing your message sooner. It might be worth contacting Mayow Park because they might be able to help.
Best wishes,
Jess
Hello, my name is May and I recently visited the reserve on an open day in June. I spoke to a very kind gentlemen named Paul who took my details. I am passionate about butterflies and moths and hoped that I’d be able to run moth traps and help with monitoring Lepidoptera species in the reserve. I would love to get involved so please get in touch!