EcoLocal

24th April – Shakespeare and England’s Trees
Here’s a talk with a difference! What trees grew in Shakespeare’s England, and what was happening to them? How do the worlds of Shakespeare’s stage and the English countryside relate? From oak to willow and the magical forests imagined on stage, this talk explores early agroforestry, deforestation and use of trees through Shakespeare’s many references to trees.

Our speaker, Hannah Leigh is a researcher working at Shakespeare’s Globe with an MA in Shakespeare Studies from King’s College London.

Friday evening events start at 7.30pm (arrive from 7.10pm) at the ‘Garden Hall, The Lodge, Honeywood Walk, Carshalton SM5 3NX. Please arrive in plenty of time for the talk to start at 7.30.

Only £4 and includes tea and coffee - no booking required.

For further details and a link to the site map visit https://www.ecolocal.org.uk/our-activities/surrey-organic-gardening-group/

🌿 Organic Lawn Care – Saturday 18th April 2026 🌿

You know the sort of lawn we all dream about… soft enough for a picnic, green enough to make next door quietly furious, and not a chemical in sight. Well — here’s your chance.

Join us for a lovely, down-to-earth day at EcoLocal, where we’ll show you how to get your lawn looking properly respectable — the natural way.

Whether your grass is currently more “patchy suggestion” than “pride of the garden”, or you just fancy doing things a bit greener, we’ll guide you through it all — no jargon, no fuss.

🌱 You’ll find out how to:
– bring a tired lawn back to life (without having a breakdown)
– choose the right grass (yes, there are types!)
– deal with moss and weeds without declaring war on them
– make your lawn look lovely — even if it’s a bit… individual
– give it a good spring boost and tuck it in properly for autumn

📍 The Garden Hall, The Lodge, Carshalton SM5 3NX
🗓 Saturday 18th April 2026
⏰ 10.30am – 3pm
💷 £39
Visit https://www.ecolocal.org.uk/food-growing/growing-training/organic-lawn-care/

🎩✨ Magical Easter Holiday Cycling Sessions – 7+ ✨🚴‍♀️

This Easter, the track is alive with the hum of wheels, laughter, and a hint of enchantment! Join us for Inclusive Family Cycling Sessions where every young witch, wizard, and muggle-aged 7+ can pedal, practice, and have a little magic of their own—as long as they bring an adult along.

🗓 Dates:

Wednesday 1st & Thursday 2nd April

Wednesday 8th & Thursday 9th April

⏰ Time: 12:00 – 1:00pm (no early arrivals on the track, even magic can’t speed things up!)

💰 Cost: £2.50 per child per session – pay on the day (cash or card, exact cash only if paying coins).
📍 Where: Athletics track at David Weir Leisure Centre, Middleton Road, Carshalton, SM5 1SL

🧙‍♂️ Spells and Safety:

Accessible cycles for all abilities

Friendly session staff who understand all sorts of magical (and not-so-magical) needs, including physical or learning differences and autistic spectrum

Safe, off-road track – rain or shine!

Helmets available if you feel the need for extra protection from flying broomsticks 🪄

A chance to practice cycling skills, make friends, and have heaps of fun

No booking required – just arrive ready to ride, giggle, and enjoy a sprinkling of holiday magic!