Community Spaces Network Celebratory Event 2017

Are you involved in a community spaces volunteer group? Then come along to the annual Community Spaces Network Celebratory Event on Wednesday, 27 September 2017 from 17:30 to 21:00 at the Nest Cafe and Community Centre in Page Park, Staple Hill, BS16 5LU.

It's a good event and an excellent opportunity for networking and getting new ideas.

You'll need to register - if your group hasn't received an invitation, please email the Community Spaces Team 

Wildlife in your garden and nearby - new group for Shire Way and area

If you live off Shire Way or Rodford Way, you could be interested in a new group aimed at encouraging wildlife in gardens and nearby.

Local residents Clare and Mat Woodman said "The group will be launched to give people the chance to share ideas, tips and suggestions in helping to make the area more wildlife friendly and a wonderful place to live.  From backdoor wildernesses to public open spaces we all can play a part in helping to protect and nurture our outdoor areas.  In our busy lifestyles we sometimes lose contact with nature and our projects will be a chance to step back and enjoy the basics again"

"Gaining volunteers to help put up bird feeders and nest boxes along Shire Way will be one of our many initiatives. We're going to have the first meeting of the Shire Way Conservation Group on Tuesday 9th May 2017 at 7.00pm at Shire Way Community Centre - everyone will be welcome"

"The area already plays host to a variety of birds and animals including green woodpecker, tawny owl and goldfinch.  Part of our work will be to ensure the continuing protection of these species plus the additional support needed for the declining number of bees and hedgehogs affecting us nationwide"

"In collaboration with local councils we will be actively looking to develop roadside 'micro meadows' as well as working towards projects in other areas."

Dodington Parish Councillor Paul Hulbert, who is supporting the project, said "I've always concentrated on larger scale projects like Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve, but I'm keen to find out more about these important small scale initiatives closer to home"

"As well as our gardens we have a lot of green spaces in our part of the town, perfect for wildlife. This very local initiative could also be a way for families to get even small children interested in the natural world on their doorsteps"

"This will very much be an ongoing community based project, aiming to reach out to local schools, organisations and existing conservation groups to develop awareness and support. We're hoping to get local experts to come and speak to the group"

For further details please contact either Clare or Mat Woodman by phoning 07907 733056, by emailing clare_woodman@yahoo.co.uk or by checking out Shire Way Conservation Group on Facebook.

Do some spring cleaning this weekend!

There are three local events this Saturday (8th April) where you can make a real difference to your local area.

Dodington Parish Council Spring Clean will start from the Changing Room at QE2 Playing Fields Kelston Close at 10am, and spread out around the Shire Way / Rodford Way area. Litter pickers, black bags and gloves will be provided. Everyone is welcome, though children must be accompanied by an adult.

If you’ve still got some energy afterwards, why not join in the Abbotswood Spring Clean and Planting just across the road? Starting at 11am in front of Abbotswood shops – just come along and choose something you would like to help with. As well as litter picking there will be planting, painting and lotes more to keep you busy.

Meanwhile the Old Sodbury Spring Clean will start at 10am at the Village Hall.

Join in your local litter pick!

Dodington Parish Council is arranging three litter picks this spring, one in each ward, to coordinate with some other local events:

• Saturday 25th February 2017 10am - 12 noon
  Litter Pick: Meet at Parish Hall, Finch Road
  Or join in the conservation work at Lilliput Park from 10am - meet at Kingfisher Road gate

• Saturday 25th March 2017 10am - 12 noon
  Litter Pick and conservation morning at Wapley Bushes
  Meet at Shire Way entrance to Nature Reserve

• Saturday 8th April 2017 10am - 12 noon
  Litter Pick: Meet at Kelston Close, Front of Changing Rooms
  Or join in the Abbotswood Action Group Spring Clean and planting 

All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Litter pickers, black sacks, disposable gloves will be provided.
Please join us and do your bit this spring.

Second Friends session for popular Lilliput Park

Lilliput Park, between Heron Way and Chipping Sodbury, is very popular with people of all ages. The Lilliput Conservation Group run work mornings in the park on the first Tuesday of each month (e.g. Tuesday 4 October), but they have had requests for local people to organise a weekend session.

The first weekend work morning will be on Saturday 15 October from 10 am until 12 noon, meeting at the Kingfisher Road gate. All ages are welcome, but children need to be accompanied by responsible adults. Suitable footwear should be worn, and gloves would be useful.

Dodington Parish Councillor Paul Hulbert, who is a regular at the work sessions, said "There will be something for everyone - digging and tidying, cutting back the bushes, and litter picking. People can work at their own pace"

For more information please check out the Lilliput Conservation Group page on Facebook, or contact Paul on 07771 562505.

Wapley tree workshop very fruitful

Mr Fruit explained how to prune fruit trees to get the best shape in the future

Mr Fruit checking up on some of the pruning carried out by the volunteers

Wapley Bushes Conservation Group were very pleased by the turnout for their Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop at Wapley on 15 February. Twenty people attended, representing eight environmental groups from across South Gloucestershire and a number of private landowners,

The workshop was run by "Mr Fruit" Graham White who has advised the Conservation Group and Dodington Parish Council ever since they planted the "Orchard For The Future" on Wapley Common in March 2011.

"We were very glad to offer this training opportunity to other groups like ourselves" said Cllr Paul Hulbert, who is a regular volunteer at the Nature Reserve. "This area used to have a lot of small orchards, but most have been lost. We're keen to get lots of community orchards started again, and we need to spread the skills needed to maintain them"

Wapley Bushes Conservation Group's next practical event will be a woodland work morning and spring clean on Saturday 14 March from 10.00 am to enhance the biodiversity of this precious nature reserve.

"Everyone is welcome" said Cllr Hulbert. "Please wear stout footwear, but we will provide the tools. We shall be meeting at the Shire Way entrance to the woodland, south Yate, BS37 8US"

Abbotswood Apple Day returns for 2014 - Saturday 18 October

After its success last year, Abbotswood Apple Day returns by popular demand. It's a real community event with lots of activities for all ages.  Come and join the fun from 11am to 3pm at Abbotswood precinct and St Nicholas Family Centre!

South West In Bloom results for our area

Please pass this results list on to everyone you think may be interested, and remind them that the Yate and Dodington In Bloom certificates will be presented at our volunteers' evening, 7.30pm next Thursday 25 September at Poole Court. Everyone who has contributed to these splendid results will be welcome.

Congratulations to all concerned!

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YATE AND DODINGTON IN BLOOM RESULTS

PENNANT AWARD
GOLD PENNANT in Town and City (North) category

NEIGHBOURHOODS ON THE PENNANT ROUTE
Wapley Common and the Orchard for the Future - Level 5 Outstanding
Dodington Allotments - Level 5 Outstanding
Kingsgate Park - Level 5 Outstanding
Yate Heritage Centre - Level 4 Thriving
Yate Shopping Centre - Judged as part of Pennant route, not a neighbourhood

NEIGHBOURHOODS AWARDS

Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve - Level 3 Developing
Yate Common - Level 3 Developing
Yate Station and Shops - Level 3 Developing
Bright Beginnings Pre-School - Level 3 Developing
St Mary’s Churchyard - Level 2 Improving
Kennedy Way Pond - Level 3 Developing
Lilliput Park - Level 3  Developing
St Nicholas Family Centre and Jacobs Well - Level 2 Improving
Abbotswood Community Greenspaces - Level 2 Improving


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SODBURY IN BLOOM RESULTS
GOLD PENNANT in Village and Small Town (North) category

NEIGHBOURHOODS ON THE PENNANT ROUTE
Batten Court - Level 4 Thriving
Chipping Sodbury High Street - Level 5 Outstanding
The Ridings - Level 5 Outstanding

Success as new proposals received for Wapley footbridge over railway

Paul Hulbert at the Wapley Footbridge

We reported previously that Network Rail's original plans for raising the footbridge from Shire Way to Wapley Common had been rejected by South Gloucestershire Council.

Network Rail have now produced much more realistic plans, with a bridge width of 3 metres which will accomodate bikes and pushchairs safely. They presented their plans to Dodington Parish Council's Planning Committee yesterday evening, and the plans will be made more widely available shortly.

The bridge needs to be modified to cope with the electrification of the main railway line. There will be a temporary footbridge for pedestrians and cyclists while work takes place, but unfortunately the temporary bridge will not be suitable for pushchairs.

Work is likely to restart in November, with the bridge being closed from December to March.

Stop the alien invaders - join the Big Pull this summer!

Himalayan Balsam is an extremely invasive weed that is threatening parts of the Frome Valley Walkway and other areas. It smothers our native flowers and causes erosion and flooding.

Big Pull community workdays are being planned this June/July to remove it from the Walkway between Station Road and Goose Green Community Nature Area in Yate.  This tenacious invasive plant is currently just on the edge of Goose Green and we are very keen to prevent it spreading into the Community Nature Area and further along the River Frome.

This summer's workdays are Saturdays 1, 15, 29 June and 13 July from 10am to 1pm, meeting at the far end of Celestine Road, Yate, BS37 5HB. All ages are welcome. Gloves, free refreshments and snacks are provided. there is no need to book. Long sleeved clothing advised and sun cream and a hat if the weather is hot.

The Big Pull work days are being organised by the South Gloucestershire Council Wild4life Project and Avon Invasive Weeds Project. If you are part of an organisation or group interested in being involved in a workday on an alternative day they would love to hear from you - please ring 01454 863556.

Tony Davis wins first stage in Common campaign

Tony Davis, a life long campaigner to protect the Common has managed to get agreement from the landowners (South Gloucestershire) to apply to make it a Diamond Jubilee Queen Elizabeth II Field in Trust. A bit of a mouthful - but what it means is that the Common and the Fox Covert will have extra protection from developers and others.

The Fox Covert, part of what we think of as the Common is not actually common land, so it has always been particularly vulnerable. This new label will make it as safe as we possibly can get it. Now the experts are filling in the paperwork - and Tony is trying to make sure they do it as quickly as possible, so before the year is out, so we can celebrate 25 years of saving the common AND its new protected status.


To give it even more protection, he has got the landowners to offer to lease the lot to the local community for 50 years - and is trying to get the owners to GIVE the entire common to the town.

Kingsgate Park work day

The Friends of Kingsgate Park have recently been successful in winning a South Glos Council grant of £1200 towards replacing some of the fencing along the Scott Way end of the park.

The Friends are having a workday to bolt on some of the new pales on Saturday 26th March, 10.00am – 12.00, meeting at the double gates on the Scott Way side of the park.

Foray for Fungi

Ever wondered how to tell the difference between mushrooms and toadstools? Find out on Monday 1st November at Wapley Bushes. Meet at 2pm at the Shire Way entrance for a two hour foray with Justin Smith.

Go wild at Woodfest! - Ridge Wood Sunday 18 July 11am - 5pm

This popular woodland festival returns thanks to South Glos, the Friends of Ridge Wood and Hanson Aggregates.

Once again Woodfest will feature a wide variety of free woodland based workshops, walks and events for people of all ages. You can try out traditional woodland crafts such as wood turning using a pole lathe, stone carving (booking required), willow weaving and charcoal making. Many of the workshops will involve using a variety of green woodworking techniques to make products from fallen timber in the woodland.

There will be lots for for families, including bush craft workshops, storytelling, children’s forest school activities, flag printing, guided walks, talks, nest box building and woodland barbeques.

More details are available from South Glos on 01454 863725.

Biodiversity Walk at Wapley - Sunday 18 July 2pm

Explore Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve in the company of experts who can tell you about our local flora and fauna.

Everyone welcome - meeting at the Shire Way gate. Please wear suitable footwear.

Wapley Bushes Nature Reserve - evening walk, Tuesday 22 June, 7pm

Come and join an evening walk round Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve with Rupert Higgins of Wessex Ecological Consultants, the expert who has just revised the Reserve Management Plan. This will be an opportunity to find out about how the Reserve is looked after and the plans for the next five years. Everyone welcome - meeting at the Shire Way gate. Please wear suitable footwear.

Out in the open air...

Fancy a bit of gentle exercise in the open air tomorrow morning? (Sunday)

Then join Wapley Bushes Conservation Group at their work morning. Meet 10.00 am at the gate on Shire Way, Yate.

More details available here.

Wapley Walk - with a FREE Nature Journal

Next Sunday morning, May 31st, Wapley Bushes Conservation Group will be exploring the Nature Reserve with the new full colour Nature Journal.

Come along and claim your FREE Nature Journal. Meet at 10 am at the Shire Way gate.

Spring clean and woodland work day

Residents are being invited to help take part in the annual spring clean-up of Ridge Wood on Sunday 26 April from 10am.

Organised by the Friends of Ridge Wood Community Group and South Gloucestershire Council, volunteers with a few hours to spare are invited to help clear litter and rubbish throughout the wood as part of continuing efforts to help managing the woodland.

Local schools use the wood as an outdoor classroom, which makes keeping it litter-free even more important.

You can also take part in other woodland management work, including digging out invasive Spanish bluebells and helping tidy around the woodland entrances.

South Glos Council will provide all the necessary gloves, bags and tools. If you're interested in taking part, people are meeting at 10am on Sunday 28 April on the public footpath at the top of Melrose Close entrance to the woodland.

Anyone who is interested in helping with the future management of the woodland, and those interested in the wildlife and historical features of the site, are welcome to join the Friends of Ridge Wood Community Group.

For more information you can visit www.ridge-wood.org.uk or contact the Friends of Ridge Wood Community Group/South Glos Council on 01454 863725.

Conservation volunteers work with Europe to defeat elm disease

Over the last few decades Dutch Elm Disease, a fungus spread by bark beetles, has devastated the British elm population to the extent that many people have never seen a live mature elm tree.

Now however a multinational project involving a site near Yate may hold the key to repopulating elms in the UK. Members of the Wapley Bushes Conservation Group discovered a a native Wych Elm on the reserve that has remained unaffected by the disease, and they have have sent seeds from to the French national State Forestry Nursery for analysis to assess the extent of disease resistance.

The aim of the European project is to identify types of elm that are resistant to the disease so that eventually the resistant specimens can be planted out to repopulate the European countryside and help the many species that are dependent upon elms.

Tim Fairhead of the Conservation Group explains “In return we received seeds from ancient elm trees in a French Nature Reserve, and these were grown on at Portsmouth University. These particular trees contain high levels of unique bark compounds that deter feeding by the beetles so they are less likely to get infected in the first place. We hope these trees will go on to provide a resource and home for threatened and vulnerable species like the White-letter Hairstreak butterfly”

Volunteers from the Wapley Bushes Conservation Group are shown planting out the resistant saplings on Dodington Parish Council land at Wapley Bushes, together with South Glos Councillors Linda Boon and Claire Young. This is the only elm repopulation project of its type in the South West and one of only four sites in the UK.

South Gloucestershire Cllr Linda Boon (Liberal Democrat, Sodbury) said “It’s good to see such a significant initiative by a local volunteer group. Local groups like this are key to running our local nature reserves, together with support and expert advice from South Gloucestershire’s Environment Department”

Cllr Claire Young (Liberal Democrat, Westerleigh) said “This is really good news. A whole generation has grown up who only know elms as dead tree skeletons in hedgerows. If this works we can start to repopulate the country’s landscape”