Lake Clearing & Improvements - Flag Iris Planting

Flag Iris Baskets. You may have been wondering what has been planted in the Lake and by whom, well after many weeks of planning;

On 4th November 2008. Five Friends Volunteers gave up their Tuesday morning to help clear rubbish from the lake, silt trap, surrounding banks, and plant the Flag Iris's kindly donated Tracey & Ron Hayes.

The timing was perfect as the lake was extremely low due the lake edging works taking place, this was an ideal opportunity not to be missed.

We met with Graham Nicholson and Gary Storey of Haverings Grounds Maintenance Team, who had no qualms about jumping into the lake with Friends volunteer Brian Lee, Brian and the boys waded out into the lake and pulled out bikes, railings, cones and other general debris, infact almost filling the truck to the brim. Graham and Gary then went onto help for the rest of the day.

Len, Don and Brian prepared the inlet, ready for the baskets, which over time been naturally created by gradual bank erosion, Brian was the star jumping into the lake when needed. The baskets which were supplied by Nigel Oxley of Havering Culture and delivered by Geoff Pepper of Parks Services. Our many thanks for these.

Meanwhile, Tracey and Julia where at this time knee deep in another lake in Gidea Park collecting the Iris's, the GM Team were kind enough to collect the plants and deliver them to the Park ready for us to place them in the baskets. We loaded the baskets with rubble to prevent them from floating away once the lakes normal water level was achieved, we then carefully arranged the Iris's and covered with silt and other heavy organic matter to help see them through winter.

The day was a great success. We all worked as one great team, our most sincere thanks to the Volunteers, the Grounds Maintenance Team and Parks Services and of course those Kind Donations.

Monday 30th March 2009. Spring is here and we are delighted to see the Iris's have bedded-in well, and shoots are emerging from the lake, we should see beautiful yellow flowers this summer. We sincerely hope you enjoy them.

In the coming years once the Iris bed establishes itself, it will hopefully prevent further bank erosion and will provide a natural fish spawning ground and vital cover for the tiny fish once they hatch. It will also in time, provide a natural nesting place for the lakes Moore Hens and Coots.