Background

Kenneth White (1923 – 2011) was a local author, historian, geographer and environmentalist. He grew up in Camberwell then moved to Forest Hill and spent a lot of time cycling around Lewisham. He wrote many books and walking guides including the ‘The Quaggy River and its Catchment Area’ which is still used by many at guided walks or as reference. He was passionate about nature and left a legacy to Lewisham’s Nature Conservation team to use for the enhancement of biodiversity in Lewisham. The Kenneth White Legacy Award has been running since 2013 and each year there is a total of £2,500 available for projects that aim to enhance and/or raise awareness of biodiversity in Lewisham.

2025 winners

Thank you for everyone who applied and who voted on the applications. We received a record number of applications (for total £12,224.69 and record number of votes (17). Thanks to the remaining additional funds from the ex-Friends of Beckenham Place Park and increased Council contributions we are able to fund 12 applications this year for a total £6,417.69.

The following groups were successful this year, congratulations!

  1. Albion Millennium Green Trust (postponed from 2024)
  2. Baring Trust
  3. Rivers and People, Ladywell Fields User Group
  4. Friends of Garthorne Road
  5. Friends of Brookmill Park
  6. Nature’s Gym
  7. The Verdant Lane Wildlife Community Garden
  8. Friends of Blythe Hill Fields
  9. Friends of Chinbrook Meadows
  10. Chinbrook Community Orchard Volunteers
  11. Friends of Silverdale Enclosure
  12. Friends of Forster Memorial Park

The successful projects this year will help monitor and enhance Lewisham’s biodiversity by restoring and improving habitats, including two ponds, creating new habitats such as a bee bank and bog garden, enriching habitats and supporting pollinators by planting wildlife-friendly plants. Several projects will support bat conservation through monitoring and roosting provision, while others will deliver hands-on training, and seasonal activities to strengthen environmental education and community engagement. Please find a summary of the projects in the meeting minutes and slides attached (BARs sheet also attached).

2024 winners

We had the quarterly Partnership meeting on 17th July 2024 and agreed on the 2024 projects that will receive funding from the Kenneth White Legacy Award. Thank you for everyone who applied and who voted on the applications. We received 11 applications (for total £6,305.19) and 16 votes. Thanks to the additional funds from the Friends of Beckenham Place Park we were able to fund all applications this year! The following groups’ were successful this year, congratulations!

  1. Friends of Mayow Park
  2. Friends of Brookmill Road LNR
  3. Friends of Dacres Wood
  4. Albion Millennium Green Trust
  5. Ladywell Fields User Group, Rivers and People
  6. Friends of Brookmill Park
  7. Chinbrook Community Orchard
  8. Longton Nursery Allotments
  9. Friends of the River Pool
  10. Meadow Close Allotment
  11. Friends of Forster Memorial Park

The selected projects will help monitor and enhance Lewisham’s biodiversity by restoring and improving three ponds, improving sites for biodiversity by planting wildlife-friendly plants and providing bat and bird boxes, and surveying bats, hedgehogs and water voles. Some of the groups will receive education resources and tools to help their environmental education and volunteering sessions.

Hedgehog tunnels at Chinbrook Community Orchard and water vole platform along the Waterlink Way installed thanks to 2024 Kenneth White grants