Heritage and Nature Walks
Posted by susanamy on July 5, 2008
We’ve been so busy lately, arranging walks for members of the public around Seletar Camp. These walks are in such hot demand that we’re putting up extra dates to accommodate the enthusiastic visitors.
Over June, Keng Seng, our resident plant and tree expert, led a number of nature walks for happy visitors, some of whom ended up with a giant home-grown avocado as a gift to take home and enjoy. They were so thrilled and some of them presented Keng Seng with chocolates as a token of gratitude for their unique afternoon tour. These tours have appeared on various websites and of course news of them has been spread by word of mouth too. The next 3 are fully booked. 19 July has a few places left. Check with Sue at 91057778 for the next available date.
The nature walks take you for a pleasant 1.5 hour amble around the Camp, taking in residents’ gardens and the natural environment of the area. Bring along a hat, water, a good pair of binoculars for bird spotting and a sense of adventure. Living in the city, we become so desensitised to all the creatures that live with us on this island, so it’s nice to take a breather in Seletar and just relax and observe. Ask your walk leader about any of the plants or animals you observe and learn something new. To book a place, please call Sue at 91057778. Since Keng Seng does this out of enthusiasm for Seletar, we hope all groups will be considerate and cooperative with booking, punctuality and attention. We have many repeat nature walkers!
So that’s nature. What about history?
The Jalan Kayu Heritage Trail and NC have helped us organise groups of enthusiastic heritage hunters, searching this seemingly modernised city for stories from the past. This morning, we had 20 visitors in the house, full of questions about the camp. We were able to fill them in on Seletar’s past significance (first Singaporeans may have lived here! Best and biggest RAF base in the East! Target for bombing during the occupation! And much much more) and present meaningfulness (great heritage, beautiful environment, fascinating vibrant community and abundant nature!). We watched Li Xiuqi’s short film on the area and all left, saying they didn’t want to leave! They were so excited to find out about this less known “jewel” of Singapore and supported the continuing existence of the residential area for future generations to benefit from. There are many more of these tours taking place this year, so please contact Sue if you’d like to take part, or if you are a resident, if you’d like to host one of these. Tel 91057778.
Now we are all wondering what is going to happen to the lately renovated guardhouses at the front gate. We do hope that there will be some room for a museum there.
Whether you’re joining an organised tour or striking out on your own around the camp on foot or by bike, enjoy the splendours of Seletar and tell your friends.
August 22, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Can Seletar survive what’s happening to it? The wildlife is already very disturbed by the development.
September 6, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Is there still a nine hole golf course at Seletar?I lived in Hampstead Gardens alongside the second fairway in 1956.
September 7, 2008 at 2:13 am
Thanks for the comment on the Seletar Chronicle website. I am thrilled to know that you lived in Hampstead Gardens in 1956. Please can you give me more details? As a current resident of the airbase and an avid collector of its history, it would be great to have your personal recollections.
I am sad to tell you that while Hampstead Gardens still exists, nobody lives there now and the golf course is making way for more buildings, as the whole base is going to be refitted to become an aerospace park.
We will be here until the end of the year, when most residents will have to leave.
I did not know until you wrote that people actually lived in Hampstead Gardens. There was a school, I know. And I thought possibly an RAF building.
Have you had a look at the RAF Seletar Association website? They are a very friendly bunch of people who meet regularly, have an excellent newsletter and smaller meetings in many parts of the UK. You can write to Dave Taylor to get more information, or just apply on the website.
I’m British too, but have lived in Singapore for the past 23 years. I invite the veterans every year to my garden for a barbecue. Some of them have also stayed with me - I’m an informal bed and breakfast! I’m not sure if you’re contemplating taking a look at Seletar before it changes drastically, but do let me know. I’ll put you in touch with people and also hope to be able to show you around!