Clapham Common – Winterville Reinstatement – Phase 2

  It has been just over 3 weeks since Winterville left Clapham Common and the large fence was replace with the current fence.   In this time the event organisers have undertaken a fine litter pick, harrowed the ground to break up surface dirt  which leveled out minor ruts and lift the grass.  Then they vertidrained to help de-compact the ground.  Last week the EvnetLambeth  and Winterville agreed the second phase of work.   Pre and Post event ground surveys were compared and the scope of work was agreed.     Towards the end of this week or beginning of next (weather permitting) the contractors undertaking the reinstatement work for the organisers will bring on top soil to level out isolated areas.   The Agronomist also recommended use of slow release fertiliser to help the grass on the ground to recover which will also be undertake this or next week (weather permitting)  The final phase of the reinstatement will then be the re-seeding.    The organisers shared the following information with regard to this phase with us today as part of their reinstatement interim report:   From first week in February onwards, regular inspections by the agronomist will aim to identify the earliest suitable opportunity for double and triple pass seeding.  This is driven primarily by the ground achieving a suitable temperature for germination of the grass seed.  While it is possible to seed in advance of this temperature being reached, it is likely that the result in a higher proportion of the seed being lost to rot or scavenging. Potentially reducing the overall effectiveness.   So it is a wait and see game on the seeding....

Clapham Common Event Site Update

Winterville has now left Clapham Common and all event infrastructure has been removed. A temporary fence has been installed and will remain in place while reinstatement is carried out. On Tuesday 8th January, the Lambeth Events Team undertook a full inspection with the Winterville organisers to record the conditions of the ground and Talbot Landscapes began ground works. The event site is currently being scarified to break up the surface mud and lift the grass, this will continue throughout Wednesday. Below is a picture we took onsite yesterday as works started. Below is a photo of the ground following the first section of scarifying. On Thursday and Friday, verti-draining will take place to slit the ground and allow aeration which decompacts the ground and encourages the grass to come back. In addition to this Talbots Landscapes will be filling holes and levelling out selected areas. Over the coming weeks the grass will green, grow and dirt will wash off the surface when it rains. Next week we will update on the long term reinstatement programme and the likely schedule of works for the area. During the reinstatement process we want to ensure the fence line is maintained and will be monitoring this, however if you do see it is damaged please do call the office on 0207 926 6207 or email on events@lambeth.gov.uk. Please note that as with all events the ground reinstatement costs are covered by the event organisers.                ...

Winterville leaves the Common

Winterville had a very successful 5 and bit weeks run on Clapham Common.  With more family focused activities on offer this year the event has proved very popular with all age groups. The doors closed to the public on Sunday 23rd December and with the exception of Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day the site crew have been working to load out the event infrastructure. The Lambeth Events team have monitored the event build, operational and now load out periods.  Throughout all stages of the event we had observed excellent working practices that have ensured a safe and well run event site, for both public and staff. As I mentioned in the blog post pre Winterville opening, there were additional measures in place this year of which the 3 key areas were: a) Increased ground protection b) Robust vehicle management on site c) All built structures are elevated and have temporary flooring – ensuring a gap between floor and grass for air circulation We have seen a vast improvement on the condition of the ground post event that what was not seen this time last year. HOWEVER There is impact to the ground, as there is with any event coming off the common. You will see when the fence line comes down over the next few days something like this – Lush Green Grass, Yellow Grass and Brown areas where there is surface mud on top of grass.  The  picture below we took at our site visit today and clearly shows different types and areas of impact from the event. NEXT STEPS Talbot Landscapes are the company who will be managing the reinstatement of the...

Streatham Common Reinstatement Update

EventLambeth and Lambeth Landscapes met with representatives from the Friends of Streatham Common to look at the common and areas for reinstatement. The main area of damage from Circus Zyair has been levelled and a large amount of soil (50:50 mix sand and soil) has been brought onsite to re-level the area and assist with the re-seeding.  The Lambeth Landscapes team were spreading the soil yesterday and will be following with re-seeding today.  The areas that fall outside of this main impact will be filled by hand. The cost for the reinstatement has been met in the entirety by Circus Zyair. There are also some other areas on the Common that haven’t recovered from previous reinstatement as we would have hoped so a separate company will be coming onsite to vertidrain, surface dress and re-seed key areas. They will do this once the Funfair leaves site. Bensons Funfair will be arriving onsite on Monday.  They have re aligned their site plan to avoid those areas that have recently been instated and will also have track mats down along agreed vehicle routes.  A member of EventLambeth staff will be onsite to meet them when they arrive to ensure that these provisions are in...

Streatham Common Reinstatement Update

  We want to provide an update to local park users and residents about the reinstatement works on Streatham Common following Circus Zyair.   Lambeth Landscapes have been working on the area however the continued wet weather over the last month have impacted the speed of repairs as the ground has been too wet to work on.   Chain harrowing was carried out on Friday 13th April on the outer sections of the event area. Over the last few days the middle section of the event area has dried out considerably and the chain harrowing can now be carried out on it .   Over the coming week slitting will be undertaken to further level the area and break up uneven sections. Top dressing will take place across the event area along with seeding, and the damaged areas near the paths and gate will be filled in and top dressed.   The event area is temporarily taped off whilst works are carried out for health and safety reasons. It will be removed when works this have been completed in the coming week.   EventLambeth continue to monitor the site as well as liaise with Lambeth Landscapes around the work that has been undertaken. It should be noted that all groundwork is paid for by the event organisers....