An appeal to new users of the Scrubs

Sarah Johnson writes:

On Thursday 25 June an illegal party was held on the Scrubs, attracting many dozens of people. Later on in the evening, reports came in of two stabbings in Erconwald Street associated with the gathering.

There were initial rumours that someone had lost their life: however the Metropolitan Police statement does not support this but instead states that two people are in hospital.

Let’s hope the rumour is not true, If it is, the Friends of Wormwood Scrubs offer deepest sympathy to the bereaved involved in this tragedy. We don’t have any details as yet but these incidents invariably involve young people on the threshold of adulthood. It is terrible to think of another young life snuffed out.

All Londoners are dismayed by the rise in violence. But as Friends of the Scrubs, we are also concerned about how this long, hot, angry summer will impact on our defenceless little piece of nature in the middle of London.

Littering has increased. Pathways are being beaten across the meadow areas. Illegal - and incredibly stupid - fires are being lit which risk causing the destruction of all our woods and copses. Picnickers are sitting down in the middle of wildflower areas. All these people are enjoying the Scrubs, which is wonderful - but they are not helping to protect it.

Nina Hall writes:

Inappropriate use of Wormwood Scrubs Common

Inevitably with the restrictions on social gathering indoors, the Scrubs is being used more than ever, especially by new groups who know nothing about the Scrubs. While it is great that more Londoners are discovering this green space, it is becoming ever more urgent to encourage people to use the Scrubs in the optimum way that does not inconvenience people, particularly local residents, or disturb wildlife.

The Committee of the Friends of Wormwood Scrubs would be very grateful if members could disseminate as much as possible to others the best way to to take advantage of the Scrubs, explain about the wildlife side, and encourage good ’etiquette’ in usage. There are, of course, byelaws that prevent some kinds of usage such as cycling. The messages to put out are below:

• Cycling on the Scrubs

Cycling is not permitted on the grassy paths across the Scrubs, so please jump off your bikes when traversing the Common. There is a cycle-way along the edge of the Scrubs from Braybrook Street, by the prison and hospital. There were dozens of people cycling where they shouldn’t be last weekend. Someone’s dog got hit by a bike.

• The Scrubs is a unique wilderness in the heart of London

Respect the wildlife area which is hiome to birds, small mammals, reptiles and invertebrates. Do not make new paths across the areas where there is long grass and a variety of wild plants. There are plenty of other areas to walk on the Scrubs.

• Picnicking on the Scrubs

Please do not picnic on the wilderness areas – or indeed in the middle of the grassy paths where people walk their dogs (unless you want your sandwiches eaten or peed on).

• Loud music

Do not play loud music with a large group of people in the wilderness areas. Tranquillity is prized by most users. I am concerned that things might get out of hand during the summer

All the new users of the Scrubs I have talked to have commented that there are no signs explaining what should or should not be done. My impression is that most people do want to do the right thing. 

So it really is time the Trust and the Council got their act together in producing signs at all entrances on what people should or should not do. In particular, there should be information about the picnic areas and the non-cycling rule.