The Carshalton and District History and Archaeological Society (CADHAS) are going to carry out a small archaeological excavation in the garden in the week beginning 8 August. We are considering turning the area against the shed walls next the belfry into a plant bed. We know that this is on the site of the other Honeywood. 19th century photos, documents and previous archaeological work show that there were one two houses at the western end of Carshalton Ponds. Both seem to have been built in the late 17th century. One, originally called Wandle Cottage is still standing as the core of the present Honeywood. The other, which was between it and Pound Street was originally called Honeywood. It was demolished about 1884 and the name transferred to the existing house. The proposed plant bed is probably on the site of the front wall of the original Honeywood. The excavation is intended to confirm this, record the remains of the foundations and to try to ensure that the bed is planted in a way that does not damage them.

The long gap in the blog reflects a setback which has among other things been caused by my catching Covid. Fortunately, it wasn’t very serious, but I ended up spending ten days self-isolating. This has resulted in us missing the planting season so the beds may have to wait until the autumn.

In our work session yesterday we started clearing the area around the sheds and weeded several areas including the front garden.
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On a happier note, the summer baskets are now out and the pots on the wall in the back garden have been planted – the latter in red, white and blue for the Queen’s anniversary. Hopefully they do as well as previous years.

We have now weeded the bed against the Pound Steet wall near the belfry. The big bed against the north wall was done during the last garden session so they are now ready for planting. The type of plants is more or less decided, and The Friends of Honeywood have agreed to pay for them as part of their major contribution as a partner in the project. I am hopeful that actual planting will take place in the next few weeks. I think that will feel like a real breakthrough after so long working on clearance.

​There is much more of that to do but a key point will be passed and it will begin to feel more garden like.