Our gardeners have some exciting new plans in store for the garden this Spring including a "mini orchard" which will include a mix of apple and pear trees for residents to enjoy. A few of our trees have suffered recently and we are overserved by "crab apples" some of which are struggling, so the plan is to introduce a few "real" fruit trees in a bed halfway down the Warrington side. Our gardeners will try to move the crab apples to another sparser bed on the Sutherland side to see if they fare better. The new area will be underplanted with a mix of bulbs including alliums, daffodils and tulips and, all being well, we should all be able to enjoy some wonderful extra colour this Spring s well as a good crop of fruit next Autumn! The health of all our trees is currently being reviewed as part of the 10 year masterplan review including a few which have been infected by bugs so we are waiting for the outcome of of these reports from both our own and Westminster experts.
- Viv Robins
- Dec 29, 2025
Residents will remember that in response to a request from dog-owners back in the Autumn the Formosa Board agreed to extend the cut-off time for dogs to be exercised off the lead from 10 am to 10.30 am to take account of the darker mornings.
Unfortunately while most pet-owners have observed this new rule most scrupulously it seems three or four have been disregarding it to the extent that on occasion their dogs are to be seen roaming loose as late as 11 am.
This is unfair to all who wish to access the Garden mid-morning, possibly with young children who may be nervous around dogs, as well as to cat-owners who are obliged to keep their own pets indoors until the coast is clear.
The new rule was introduced strictly on the understanding that any breach would lead to its suspension. It is currently due to stay in force until the end of February but the Board will be meeting in the middle of next month when they will discuss taking further action if the matter is not resolved by then.
Please don't let the few spoil it for the many!
Residents may remember that last Summer Sutherland Avenue resident John Gregson launched a petition calling for the short stretch of Formosa Street between Warrington Crescent & Castellain road to be closed to traffic. The idea was to make it a safe space for people to shop, eat, socialise & generally support our vital local businesses as suggested in the artist's impression above. Anyway the petition garnered enough signatures for it to be considered by Westminster City Council, & now they've come back with two options of their own.
Option 1 would be to adopt John's plan for a full 24/7 closure to traffic; Option 2 envisages a partial closure during some hours of the day. The Council has now opened a consultation to solicit residents' views -- full details, including plans & FAQs, can be found at https://formosastreetpublicrealm.commonplace.is/. The consultation runs until January 16th which given the intervention of Christmas & New Year isn't terribly long, so do go online to register your vote.
John Gregson is clearly urging a verdict in favour of Option 1, pointing out that under Option 2 there is likely to be confusion over when the road is open to traffic & when it isn't, meaning that vehicles may end up being on the street even at times when they are prohibited with an attendant risk to pedestrians' safety.
Anyway whatever your view change will be happening & now is your chance to shape the form it will take!
