Downham Parish Conservation Group
Working for and with the Parish Council
Date of next meeting (AGM)7:30 Wednesday 24thMarch 2010 | 
Click here for anenlarged map of the conservation area. |
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Downham Parish Conservation Volunteers have been established since 1995 and have completed many projects including renewing from ground up, (grand designs?) a Cartshed which now houses old fenland agricultural equipment. Other projects include Hedge planting (some 600metres) keeping local footpaths open, pond works (for great crested newts – thanks Theresa),and establishing a Community Orchard.
All this needs management and to help, our group has been funded by Grassroots Grants which is managed by Cambridgeshire Community Foundation.
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A grant of £2845 will enable the volunteers to better manage the Parish grounds (Local Nature Reserve and Community Orchard), also spread the word with presentations to other interested groups and Parishes, as well as recruiting more volunteers because we could not have achieved all this without our Community support.
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Thanks to Grassroots on 01223 410535 or www.cambscf.org.uk |
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Did you know that we have a tree warden?
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The Conservation Group have a monthly page in the Parish Magazine
The tree population of Britain has been in decline for more than 50 years. Storms, disease, the laying in of essential services, and road and house building have all taken a massive toll in damage and destruction of individual trees and woodlands. Therefore is vital that we are careful to conserve the trees that we have left.
The National Tree Warden Scheme seeks to address this decline and enable volunteers, nominated by local Parish Councils, to play an active role in conserving and enhancing local trees and woodlands. In Little Downham the Conservation Volunteers took on that role on behalf of the Parish Council and Neil Hobbs was nominated as the man for the job, which he has now done for several years. Neil has included an interesting and comprehensive explanation of his role as Tree Warden on another page in this issue. The attractive approach to the village along Ely Road, particularly in the spring, is an example of the ongoing commitment of the Tree Warden in our parish over the years.
Another example of commitment is that of the Little Downham Guides who are working on their Community Challenge Award during which they have been given the task of finding ways of improving the appearance of their village. They will be liasing with the Conservation Volunteers to complete their projects and I’m sure that we will all be enjoying the results, both in the spring and into the distant future. Good luck to them in gaining their awards.
Many of you will have know of the press, radio and TV coverage of the theft of Biddy Ward’s memorial bench from the Feoffees Spinney in West Fen Drove early in September. The thieves must have been aware of the nature and purpose of the bench because there were flowers on it and a brass plaque was attached. It makes this crime particularly despicable and her family, friends and conservation colleagues are very much saddened that this should happen to the memory of someone who was so admired and respected in our community.
Tony Payne has continued his bat surveys (for the Bat Conservation Trust) during August focused on a 1 kilometre stretch (south west bank) of the 100 Foot drain (New Bedford River) between the railway line and the pumping station. The aim of this survey was to check for the presence of Daubenton’s Bats, which might typically skim calm waters for prey. This medium sized bat is fairly widespread around Britain though not necessarily common locally.
Tony writes: As in 2007, I was unable to detect their presence here, though pipistrelle activity was evident under the railway bridge and along the road toward the pumping station. It is likely that I will move the search along to other stretches of the drain in future. On the moth front, I was unable to conduct another survey in Pingle Wood as weather conditions were unsuitable, especially with the need to lug heavy equipment from the roadside to an appropriate spot. The moths don’t seem to mind wet weather but I do! In fact, I have taken part in surveys at Wicken Fen and Hickling Broad (Norfolk) when the traps were full of a wide variety of species as well as inches of rainwater. A couple of evenings spent in the relative luxury of my back garden produced poor returns compared to previous years so I hope that this is not part of a downward trend. With fewer species flying around as the autumn approaches, it is likely that the trap will be packed away soon anyway.
As we progress into October we are all hoping for an Indian Summer to lift our spirits before the days start to get colder and to make up, in some part, for the dreadful summer we have had. If this is global warming I don’t want it!
The Conservation Volunteers have a varied programme of management and works lined up for the future. If you want to get involved in this enjoyable
and productive work I’m sure that we can use your skills and your input to the best advantage for the benefit of the parish. The commitment is not onerous
and we have fun. Give me a call.
Jean Gallyer
01353-699369
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The group meets on the fourth Wednesday of every other month starting in January at the Book Café in the Village Hall at 7.30pm. Most meetings last till about 9.00pm and new members of all ages are always welcomed. or e-mail our Parish Clerk on ltdownhampc@btinternet.com