Holt Copse Conservation Volunteers
Newsletter No. 16
Editorial
So much has happened over the last few months that I’m not sure what to include and what to leave out. One advantage of all but two members having email is that I’m not restricted to the two sides of A4 as in the past. That constraint was imposed by the need to photocopy the original and deliver hard copies. So, the world’s my oyster – freshwater type, of course.
Our group has won two conservation awards this year – a "Highly Commended" in the Dorothy Morley competition but, more importantly, a Golden Oak Award in the Masterfoods Awards for the Environment in Berkshire. On the down side however, due to weather and non-availability of members, our weekend work parties have not been as productive as in the past. A decision has been made to alternate the day they are held between Saturdays and Sundays to see if that helps people. Nic’s weekday sessions have been a success and look likely to continue.
Before you do anything else, please go to the top of page 4 and read the Work Party information. One is to-morrow (Saturday) morning.
Environmental Awards
As you all know, the HCCV won the first prize in the 2000 Dorothy Morley Conservation Award competition (the first time it had been run). So, when we were asked to enter again this year, we were somewhat reluctant because, if the same judging parameters were used, we would certainly get high marks again. If we were seen to do well again, it was felt that it might undermine the competition itself and deter other groups from entering. So, we suggested that we were judged on the basis of what we’d done in addition to that seen in 2000 and the outcome was a very satisfying Highly Commended certificate.
The Masterfoods Awards competition was another thing altogether! This was a new (to us) competition so it was an all out effort to do well. The rewards were well worth a lot of effort.
The forms were obtained, filled in, supporting evidence compiled and the whole sent off to the organiser. Later, we were contacted to escort the judges round the copse and to describe our work. The judges seemed pleased with what they saw and heard so it was then the long wait to find out how we’d done.
About six weeks later, I received the letter which informed us we’d won a Golden Oak award – a top award for the Wokingham District Council area in the Community category. Nic Hopkinson and I attended the presentation ceremony in Reading and received our certificate and cheque from the High Sheriff of Berkshire. It was a tremendous day with winners coming from all over Berkshire. Some of the projects were very thought provoking and the schools entries showed that the environmental responsibility message is being effectively promoted there.
For the award ceremony, John and Pippa Robinson had constructed a very neat display board which, being in triptych form and hinged, folds up to facilitate carrying. Biased or not, I thought it looked the most appropriate one there. It was, of course, enhanced by a collection of Colin Melhuish’s superb photographs.
We didn’t win the "supreme champion" award of an additional £1000. That went to the Windsor and Maidenhead Tree Warden Group, and, on hearing about their work and achievements, it was obvious they deserved the top prize. We received a cheque for £250 and were mightily pleased with it. However, the next day a letter arrived from the organisers awarding us a further £200 from a supplementary pot of money. So, our hopes of erecting informative signs suddenly looked even more likely.
Membership Survey ….. by Nic Hopkinson
Its good to see that nearly everyone who has been interested in HCCV from the early days is still just as keen and it’s only been a variety of personal circumstances that have prevented many of us from joining the two aborted work parties this autumn. Nearly everyone is on e-mail so this will greatly improve our communications, not only for distribution of the Newsletter but to let people know of any changes to any of our work parties or other arrangements. Many thanks to Valerie Givan for all the shoe leather she has worn out distributing the Newsletter in the past. There's only two hard copies needed now.
Work Party Survey ….. by Nic Hopkinson
About 75% of members responded, giving their preferences for Work Party days.
For weekend WP’s, 3 have preferred Saturday, 3 have preferred Sunday and the remainder are happy for either day. So the fairest arrangement seems to be to alternate Saturdays and Sundays.
Nine people are available for mid-week WPs. There is no one day that all nine can make but everyone can make Wednesday or Friday. So again the mid-week WPs will alternate between Wednesdays and Fridays. See below for upcoming, indeed imminent, Work Party dates.
Hedgelaying ….. by Nic Hopkinson
HAWC are very keen to come back and finish the laying of the hedge alongside Reading
Road. This was started last year and Andy Glencross of WDC Countryside Services is more than happy to pay their modest fees. Dates are Saturday, February 8th and Saturday, February 22nd.
Anyone who wants to come and learn or practice hedge laying is more than welcome. HAWC members will, as they did before, explain and demonstrate how it is done. We will see how these dates fit in with our work parties later on. One thing that will speed things along on the day is if we do the clearing out of the undergrowth beforehand. Also, we should bear in mind to keep suitable materials for the hedgelaying from our coppicing work parties although HAWC will be expecting to bring much of what will be needed with them.
Local Nature Reserve status for the Park and Copse
This issue has been moving along very slowly for over a year now. It has progressed and the Town Council want it to happen. Unfortunately, due to a slight misfire in the original drafting of the relevant legislation, only county or unitary authorities are authorised to declare a site as an LNR. This means that someone in Wokingham Unitary (WDC to you and I) has to be given authority to delegate the declaration authority to Wokingham Town Council. The delay is about "who" in WU has that delegation authority. I know that the wheels of local administration have to grind exceeding fine as they are handling public funds and have a duty of care to the local populace. However, it’s difficult not to get a feeling of wading, thigh deep, in treacle.
Now we’ve got it, what do we do with it?
Earlier in this Newsletter I commented on the various awards we’ve won for our conservation work. As most of you know, we won £750 in 2000 and we’ve won £450 this year. Following our 2000 success, we were able to purchase our own tools – a boon to those who previously had to remember to go to Dinton Pastures to borrow the Countryside Services’ tools before each Work Party. We bought some £650 worth of tools (quality tools aren’t cheap) but, due to another grant scheme that Andy Glencross knew about, we ended up only having to contribute about £300 to the cost of the tools. We’ve since bought two large vacuum flasks which enable us to have some refreshments without having to rely on Lalle bringing cups of tea and coffee from her house the other side of Jubilee Avenue. Other items we’ve bought have been frames for all our award certificates and, most recently, materials for the splendid display board that John and Pippa have made.
So, some quick mental arithmetic indicates that we can seriously consider one of our early ambitions which is to develop the educational potential of Holt Copse and our conservation work. Phase1of the plan to achieve this consists of erecting some "simple" signs at four entry points of the Park and Copse. In addition, there will be a board informing visitors of the history, geology (which influences the character of the site), and significant flora and fauna of the Park and Copse. We plan to have something about the HCCV and its work – including an invitation to join us!
On the 28th of November, Nic and I had a meeting with Andy Glencross to get ideas about types and availability of suitable signs and to get the addresses of some manufacturers. Nic has been "appointed" Project Manager and I will assist by exploring possible sources of additional funding. Andy thinks he can get funding for the "simple" signs but the HCCV has to put up the money for the information board. Despite our financial successes, there will still be a shortfall of funds – a typical information board costs up to £2500 excluding installation.
Nic’s first job is to obtain estimates. My job then is to approach various organisations to see if they’d like to help us make this project a success. More of this in the next Newsletter.
Publicity
As many of you know, we’ve been talking about increasing our membership so that work parties are not so vulnerable to people’s other commitments. Many attempts have been made over the years – via the JPRA Newsletter, reports in the Wokingham Times, our website and by just plain talking to people about the HCCV. These media have met with what has to be described as mediocre success, if there is such a thing (it’s a bit like saying that someone has hidden shallows).
Well, we now have two more opportunities to "put ourselves about a bit". The first is: we’ve been asked to provide material for a display in the Shute End offices of the WU. Building on the success of the Masterfoods Environmental Awards, the Environmental Protection & Housing department are staging a display of the work of the various Groups in the WU area that won awards. It will commence on January 12th, 2003 and will run for two weeks. Asked if the HCCV would like to submit material for display, I replied strongly in the affirmative. They’ll contact us nearer the time to take our materials to Shute End. By the way, as far as I know, there will be no need for HCCV members to man (person?) the stand at any time.
The second opportunity we can make for ourselves. Now that we have a suitable display board of our own, we would be able to take it to the market place in Wokingham a couple of Saturdays a year and, possibly, a couple of market days. We would have to have members in attendance so these options will require some solid commitment from members – if only to give one another comfort breaks. We’ll also need to speak nicely to Colin Hook to see if and how this can be arranged.
With our evident beneficial work in the Copse and independent recognition of it through three environmental awards, we’ve got a good story to tell. Let’s tell it! After all, we’ve entered three competitions and have won three awards. Formula 1 teams spend millions trying to do that!
Work Parties
As mentioned before, due to adverse weather and members’ personal commitments, our Work Party programme has not been incredibly successful so far this season. However, remedial action has been taken and I’m leading an unscheduled Work party to-morrow – 09.30 to 12.00. Meet at the usual place.
There is another Work Party next weekend. This was originally planned for the Saturday (December 7th). As a result of Nic’s survey, this has been re-scheduled to the Sunday morning (December 8th).
Our next weekday Work Party will be Friday, December 13th.
Finally, there’s our "work off the Christmas excesses" Work Party on Saturday, December 28th. Last year we built the top boardwalk between Christmas and New Year. At the moment, this year’s will be the traditional "slash and dead hedge". Anybody have any other ideas? What about clearing out the stream and starting to develop its potential as a bog zone? What about some treecreeper nest boxes ? (see below)
What’s about?
Redwings were reported in the park several weeks ago and in September, the Tawny Owl was heard several times. Pete Johns reported one treecreeper in the Summer but these uncommon (or just unseen?) birds have unusual nest site requirements. They build their nest in a slot such as might occur where the bark is becoming detached from the trunk of a tree. There’s not so much of this about in the copse as there was so I haven’t seen a treecreeper in the Park or Copse for several years.
Surveys
Well, we’ve surveyed ourselves. Perhaps we ought to think about surveying a few things in the Copse. Anybody fancy a stag beetle survey? They’re very fashionable at the moment. Fungi? Grasses? Any other ideas?
Jack Meatcher
Visit the HCCV website at: http://website.lineone.net/~hccv/