Kilmorey Mausoleum and Richmond Pocket Parks March 24th, 2012

While the current drought conditions in the Southeast of England are bad news for people and wildlife (so please save water), the gorgeous weather meant that the Environment Trust was able to offer a bumper volunteering day. Three groups were deployed to smarten up the borough, at Kilmorey Mausoleum and the ever popular Richmond riverside.

Tidal flooding has resulted in a build up of sediment on the riverside path, which has been colonised by vegetation.

Volunteers from the Columbia University Club of London get to work and reveal the buried path.

After a final sweep, several feet of path is again available to 'promenaders'.

The steps were also being overtaken by vegetation.

With the tide quickly rising, Columbia volunteers remove the last few plants ...

... producing a much cleaner appearance.

Meanwhile, the girls from Marymount School give Bridge House Gardens a spring clean.

A short distance away, the boys from Tower House School took on the task of re-laying a woodchip path at Kilmorey Mausoleum.

Visit the Kilmorey website for details of open days in 2012 http://www.kilmoreymausoleum.co.uk/Kilmorey/Kilmorey-Mausoleum-home.html

With a small mountain to move, the boys waste no time in filling barrows and buckets.

In no time at all the wood chip pile becomes a path, which is also beneficial to stag beetles.

 

The finished result looks ready for visitors.

There's even a pond.

The garden at Kilmorey is just coming back to life. Come and visit on one of the summer open days to see it in all its glory.

 

The Tower House boys get a rare glimpse inside the mausoleum.

And finally, the famous Kilmorey compost toilet is occupied.