HOW - Heathrow Orchard Walk - Cherry and Plum Blossom

About

Artist Kate Corder invites you to participate in the next HOW - Heathrow Orchard Walk - Cherry and Plum Blossom, on Sunday 10 April 2016. This HOW event explores land in the public domain in the villages of Sipson, Harmondsworth and Longford; land still threatened by the prospect of a third runway for Heathrow Airport. Once the region flourished with orchards and market gardens, now occasional fruit trees remain. Harmondsworth has a multitude of Walnut trees. Farmers still grow Barley crops adjacent to the airport. Aggregate gravel farming is deconstructing the land, some of which is later reconstructed in to Moor land creating a green lung. Recently in the villages working wood tree saplings donated by the Woodland Trust have been planted to enhance the environment.

For this HOW event we will meet at the gates of Transition Heathrow (Sipson). We will view the gravel farm earthworks situated in a former orchard at Sipson. We will journey to Harmondsworth, visit the Cox's Grave and Harmondsworth Barn, then amble through the park pass the Immigration Removal Centre and continue to Longford to observe the Cherry Trees. Then we will wander back across Harmondsworth Moor searching for orchard remains on route. We will examine, witness and document vital biodiversity in unique ecosystems. We will encounter contrasts of rural tranquility combined with hyper activity of human travel.

Schedule - Times (approx) and Meeting Points:
Our first meeting points are either:
1:00pm meet at West Drayton train station (TFL zone 6, trains from Paddington take 20 mins), then take the 222 bus (towards Hounslow) to Sipson, UB7 0JH.
Or 1:30pm at Transition Heathrow, Vineries Close, Sipson, UB7 0JH. If you are travelling on the underground Piccadilly Line take the 222 bus from Hounslow towards Uxbridge and alight at Sipson.
Or 3pm (approx) at Harmondsworth Churchyard Gate, UB7 0AQ.

This walk is approximately 4-6 miles and will finish around 6pm. Some of the terrain may be wild. It is advisable to bring lunch and water. If you are interested in participating in this walk, contact Kate so she knows to look out for you.