If you’re still looking for just the right Christmas gift, perhaps we can help. We’ve got some lovely ideas for your gifting: book one of our festive craft activities or winter walks, buy a gift membership, a wall calendar, or get a set of our new Wild Flowers of Barnes Common greeting cards. Whichever option you choose, you will be supporting our conservation and education work.
Wreath making workshops — The team at Barnes Common is delighted to welcome Sue Adams, local bell ringer and keen crafter to lead a special Christmas workshop! Join us and create your very own natural Christmas wreath to decorate your home for the festive season. All are welcome, however, booking is essential for the evening workshop on Tuesday 19 December. Your ticket includes a hot drink (or mulled wine at the evening workshop), a mince pie and all the materials for your wreath. Book now to secure your place.
Willow weaving — Learn how to weave your own willow Christmas tree decoration at this special workshop with Ellie Morgan, founder of Wood Wool Willow on Saturday 16th December. With Ellie’s expert guidance, you will weave your own willow Christmas tree decoration to take home. Perfect for everyone aged 5 years and upwards, children accompanied by an adult. All equipment and materials will be provided. Your ticket includes a hot drink and a mince pie, book here.
Gift membership — This Christmas, give the gift of caring for your small local nature reserves to someone you love. Our Keystone Friends Membership supports our conservation and education work. It also includes 25% discounted tickets to our events, as well as invitations to our occasional Keystone Members’ Events. You can buy gift membership online and we’ll send you a personalised membership certificate in an email that you can give to your recipient.
Greeting cards — Thank you to local artist Yvonne Langley who has kindly created these wonderful greeting cards for us. The Wild Flowers of Barnes Common cards, published by local photographer Andrew Wilson, feature her watercolour and gouache artwork depicting the native flora of Barnes Common: Common Knapweed, Gorse, Hawthorn, Lesser Celandine, Sheep Sorrel and Birds-foot Trefoil. All the proceeds from the sale of these cards will fund our conservation and education work.
You can buy them from Monday 20th November at our office at the Pavilion on Vine Road Rec during working hours Monday to Friday, or from the Vine Road Community Café on Saturday and Sunday 8am-2pm. One cards costs £3, or get the whole set of four for £10.
You can also purchase Andrew Wilson’s wonderful local calendar, Wild About Barnes 2024, featuring his photographs of wildlife on the Common and the local area. The calendars cost £8.50 and Andrew is kindly donating 50% of the selling price to our charity.
Pop into the Vine Road Community Café over weekends in December for their ever popular gingerbread persons with a festive touch, hot drinks and mince pies.