Friends of Langley Park

Jonathon

I like the wildlife in Langley Park, and being near the lake.  I have been doing conservation work a few times which I enjoy because I like helping people, cutting down trees and helping out with the bonfire.  I also like picnics by the lake, walking the dog around and finding new areas, participating in the photo competitions, walking, and have nearly finished the orienteering trail although I have only tried it once so far.  I prefer Langley Park in the summer when it is warmer and the trails are dry & easy to walk on.  I have also enjoyed playing in the open bit with a football and frisbee - although the frisbee got stuck in a tree and wouldn't come out now matter how many badly aimed sticks we threw at it! 

December 2008

Purnima

I have visited Langley Park since I was at school and the best thing about it, is that although it never changes, it changes all the time.

The conservation work means that we keep the park in great order for other visitors and I enjoy helping out whenever I can.

Helen

Hi, I'm Helen, and have recently joined the group of volunteers in Langley park to meet new people, learn new skills (and lots of the history of Langley Park !!) and to work in the fresh air.  I used Langley park when my children were young to picnic, play games, walk, and generally pass the time, then, as they got older, needs changed, but we still went often to walk and cycle in Black Park, perhaps Langley's better known 'big brother'.

I saw an advert in the local magazine about volunteering, and thought I would give it a go, not really remembering how beautiful Langley Park is, and the wealth of trees there, which, I confess, I know nothing about - hope I was supposed to cut down the one in the photo......!!

I hope to continue to find the time to volunteer - as there seem to be so many plans for Langley Park, and it gives a feeling of satisfaction (and sometimes aching shoulders, legs and back!!) to think we can all be part of making them happen.

October 2008

Veronica

Hello, I am Veronica, and I come to Langley Park to the Volunteer Days. 

I love the trees and beauty of Langley Park and enjoy any time I spend here. 

September 2008

You may have seen these guys around the park.  They are from "Treework Environmental Practice" based in Bristol - chap on the right is Jonathan Price BA(Hons) Tech Cert ( Arbor.A). 

They have spent a few weeks with long days, enjoying Langley Park geo-tagging and identification of significant and old trees.  Their markers can be seen nailed up on most trees now. 

It is planned that there will be some quite sophisticated maps with GPS details, as the yellow post with the dish on the top is a sensitive GPS receiver that works despite being under and around trees.  This has given them the exact position of each tree so it can be plotted.

 Their web site is http://www.treeworks.co.uk/  

August 2008

My name is Lizzie Bishop.  I have recently started my Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and as part of my Service Section, have chosen to volunteer with The Friends of Langley Park to help out with monthly park conservation.  I love the outdoors so for me, conservation work appealed hugely and having been with the group for 2 months, I am delighted that I made the right choice!  Everyone is so friendly and meeting up on the 1st of every month is a pleasure.  It gives me such a lovely sense of satisfaction after a day in the park to know that we are all working towards the maintenance of such a beautiful area.  As part of my work with the team, I am developing my knowledge of tree names and aim to identify all the trees that are in the park within the coming months!

Although the park is close to my home, I had never had the opportunity to visit it before and now I have seen how stunning it is, I intend to come to the park far more often to discover every part of it!” 

June 2008

The June Park User of the Month is James Darke, who is doing surveys for birds in Langley Park.  You see him early in the morning (these pictures were taken before 7am) and walks round listening and spotting birds.   He stays locally in the area as he travels from Slimbridge and is part of WWT Consulting Bird Survey.

The most interesting birds that James has found are Yellow Hammer and also Reed Buntings, both seen or heard from where the pictures were taken.  The Yellow Hammer was bright yellow and at the top of the dead tree in the horse field at end of the lake, and the Reedbunting in the reeds on the left of the picture. 

April 2008

Hi, my name is Donna Shakesheff - you may have seen me working outside Langley House and wondered what I was up to! 

I am a Base Runner for a company that is filming 'Harley Street' here, although they are out on location a lot of the time.  My job is to be a gate person, which means stopping vehicles coming up The Drive and only allowing in to Langley House those that are crew or delivery people.

I have been working here as a runner since February 2008 and should be here til May, but I would dearly love to work my way up to be in Production.  To this end on my days off I go out on location to learn as much as I can.

I am also interested in arts and crafts, and other than drawing I also do wig-making which I learnt in college.

I have a beautiful 6-month old Labrador called Twinkle (named by my niece!), who lives in Wales.  I am from there but for this job I am staying more locally in High Wycombe.

I am pictured here with some friends I have made, one being Josh (February Park User of the Month - see below).

Passers by have been so kind and lovely, often stopping for a chat, and one generous lady even gave me a bag of books to help while away the time.

So if you are out and about in Langley Park ,do give me a wave or say Hello.

Donna

['Harley Street' is a 6-part contemporary drama series starring Paul Nicholls, Suranne Jones, Shaun Parkes and Oliver Dimsdale.  For further information click on this link: http://www.carnivalfilms.co.uk/news/news.asp?id=17]

March 2008

My name is Sean Barnard and my first visit to Langley Park was with the Scouts during an orienteering competition at the age of 10.  I was captured by the natural beauty of the park and have been returning ever since.  I’m now seventeen and still in Scouting, as a member of the Pyro Explorer Scout Unit in Hayes & Harlington.

I am in the sixth form at Slough Grammar School and currently studying for the International Baccalaureate Diploma.  As part of the requirement for the diploma I have to complete fifty hours of service.  Volunteering to carry out conservation work was a natural choice for me as I love the outdoors, so when I saw the Friends of Langley Park website I was keen to become part of the group.  Taking part in the volunteering conservation work is also helping me to achieve my Chief Scout’s Platinum Award.

The Friends of Langley are a very friendly group and I have thoroughly enjoyed each Saturday that I have participated (especially the homemade mince pies).  I always end the afternoon with the rewarding feeling that I have helped to achieve something important.  I would certainly recommend voluntary conservation work to anyone who enjoys the outdoors.

 February 2008

This is Josh, a beautiful German Shepherd.  He is 2-3 years old, and a very friendly, quiet dog who loves the park and going into puddles on his daily walks.

Lynne, his owner who has lived in George Green very close to the park for over 25 years, has owned him for about 3 months.  He was rescued from certain death in Wales, and came to George Green via Pineridge Rescue centre in Ascot.

He knows many of the other dogs in the park, but also loves trips out in the car. However he is a little nervous of being dumped (as happened to Josh in Wales) so always tries to get back in the car the moment the first door gets opened!

January 2008

This is Ultra and his owner Marjorie.

Ultra is 6 years old, is 16 hands high, a "Dappled Grey", and has been owned by Marjorie who lives with her husband in Thorn Drive, George Green, and has been a Wexham resident for 14 years, and a daily user of Langley Park.

Ultra comes from Holland, but has lived in Sussex for a few years, but now since June 2007 Ultra's home is at the large stabling along Coronation Avenue.

Dutch horses have a reputation for being humorous and cheeky - he has thrown Marjorie off twice, she suffered a broken finger and bruising as a result.  Also when being walked to the main gate to Langley Park, he pulled up the hood of Marjorie's jacket so high her arms were up in the air, and she was unable to open the gate until he let go.  Still got taken out though!!

Ultra has also been know to cause trouble in the stable when he started to chew the tail of the horse next door, whose tail had come through the railings.

(This photo is from the flickr site:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerry_lake/2115422058/in/set-72157602741035082/

December 2007

Chris with Jake the Weimaraner are our December Park Users of the Month.

Chris got Jake just before he moved to George Green about 7 years ago.  They are daily users of Langley Park, and get to walk there at different times of the day due to Chris's work patterns at a local employer in Slough.  Jake enjoys chewing stones but already has got a bad tooth from this habit !! 

                                   Jake being pursued by cows!  

This month's park users have a slightly different reason to previous users.  Famous for their roles in the Vicar of Dibley and Ab Fab, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders are currently filming their BBC comedy / drama, 'Jam and Jerusalem' in Langley Park.  Pictured here with our Chairman - who also happens to be a police officer - the two comediennes were only too pleased to pose for a promotional shot which they are happy for the Friends to use!

Dawn and Jennifer were very impressed with the park and grateful for our assistance with the maintenance of it.  The filming took place in the central vista just down from the clearance work carried out in September.
 

My name is Margaret Ashmore and I have been visiting Langley Park for 30 years. 

For the past 9 ½ years this has been on a daily basis with my dog Jodi.  She is a rescue dog and was about 5 months old when she came to me from the RSPCA.  Jodi loves going to the park where she can chase her ball or her Frisbee or on occasion a squirrel, but never rabbits.  Jodi has been a P.A.T. (Pets as Therapy) dog for 7 ½ years now, visiting hospitals and nursing homes, schools and scout groups.  She has also worked with phobic children and adults.  Recently she had a toe amputated but hopefully she will be able to get back to her favourite past time, agility. 

Until 2 months ago we lived in Uxbridge, now we live right on the edge of Langley Park which is wonderful.  During the summer months Jodi takes part in many companion dog shows, but she rarely misses her early morning 'park walk'.