Lavender cutting, river singing, seed swapping
September is a month charged with new season energy after lazy summer days. It marks the end of the growing season, when fruit and veg are harvested for winter, and communities come together to thank the land and sea for its bounty. In cities, we’ve mostly lost that connection to the seasonal reap and celebration. But with more growing becoming more precarious, affected by climate change, it feels more important now than ever.
With Totally Thames Festival, Heritage Open Days and harvest events, there are of ways to get closer to nature in London this September:
We are nature
Saturday 7- Sunday 8 September, 10-4pm - Harvest lavender, Vauxhall Park
Did you know Vauxhall park has one of the most beautiful lavender fields in the UK? Well it needs harvesting so get on down this weekend to lend a hand. Harvested lavender is turned into oil. The profits from selling it benefit the park. Bring some gloves, children welcome but no dogs. You’ll be rewarded with some lavender cuttings. Just turn up.
Saturday 7 September, 10am-5pm, Light and Land, The Mall
Travel without leaving London by discovering outdoor photography in this free exhibition. From expansive landscapes to wildlife, architecture to streets.
Sunday 8 September, 11am - Wonders of Nature Walk, Ruislip
Part of the Heritage Open Days, join this free walk exploring the flora and fauna of the River Pinn. Find out about its relationship to Manor Farm.
Sunday 8 September, 7pm - Dusk Chorus Walk, Tower Hamlets Cemetery
Join this woodland walk in this cemetery park. Meandering to roosting spots for different species of birds, and end in the outdoor classroom to quietly recognise different bird song.
We are water
Anytime - Cycle the River Wandle
Starting just outside West Croydon station, the Wandle Way follows the river by the same name all the way to the Thames. It's a 30km, mostly downhill or flat ride through south London parks and along the riverbank. Stop off at Merton Abbey Mills to enjoy one of their many restaurants and the Watermill museum.
Saturday 15 September, 12-4.20pm - Singing Engagement, Call of the Thames, Southbank
Enter the Queen’s Walk tunnel and if you make eye contact with one of the eight singers you cross, they’ll sing a note for as long as you keep looking. This intimate connection reminds us of our essential human nature and will reflect the wild, ebbing and flowing River Thames, above us, whose tides are pulled by the moon, as is the water within us.
Saturday 15 September, 2.15-3pm - Sing for Water, The Scoop
Part of the Totally Thames Festival, 40 choirs are joining in song to raise money for Water Aid. With over 500 singers, it’s likely to be a momentous event.
Saturday 28 September, 2-5pm- Follow y/our river, Cody Dock
Come down for a bookmaking workshop where the River Lea approaches the Thames. Then learn paperfolding and bookbinding techniques to create water prints at the water's edge using non-toxic inks.
We harvest
Saturday 21 September, 8pm - Down to Earth supper club, London Fields
Join culinary artist Barney Pau, interdisciplinary artist Francesca Anfossi, and curator Huma Kabakci, in partnership with London Design Festival 2024, at e5 Bakehouse for a food-focused experiential exploration of challenging how we eat, to change what we eat. Expect sourdough made with a 200-year old starter, unexpected utensils and a plant-based menu.
Saturday 21 September, 10am - Walking in the footsteps of your year, at this Mabon Solar Festival, City of London
This walking tour with landscape designer Jeremy Rye, replicates spiritual walks undertaken by monarchs and landscape keepers throughout London’s history. These were not only a means of navigating a city but seen as instrumental in maintaining its health, spiritual and commercial success. This one falls on Mabon, the pagan festival which celebrates the transition from the vitality of summer to the introspective nature of autumn.
Saturday 28 September, 11am - Omved Autumn Seed Swap, Highgate
Tucked behind Highgate high street you’ll find Omved gardens, a former car park turned into a magical growing space with a permaculture garden, zero-waste kitchen and a beautiful space for events. Join them for a free seed swapping session. Meet budding, and experienced, London gardeners and swap seeds from plants you’ve grown (or not). Omved also have loads of other Autumnal events on this month including citizen science, fermentation and slow cooker workshops, sound baths, poetry and a harvest community feast.
Till 30 September - Count the bees
Despite the wet weather, there are still pollinators buzzing around our flowerbeds and window boxes. On the next warm, dry day this month spend 10 minutes counting insects landing on flowers and record them on the FIT (Flower Insect Timed) Count app. Monitoring the bees helps us understand how pollinator populations are changing.
P.S. ‘Scuse the little summer hiatus. I was off getting married at the glorious RHS Wisley!
