Holt Copse Conservation Volunteers
Newsletter No. 17 – Spring 2003
First of all, perhaps you’ve noticed the slight change in the header - I’ve added a time to it. The reason for this is that the Newsletters are so infrequent now, I forget which one was the last one.
From the infrequency of the Newsletter, compared with early days of the HCCV, it might be assumed that not much has been happening of late. Nothing could be further from the truth. In this issue, there’s the report of our 2003 AGM, the Work Party dates for next “season”, an update on the LNR, hedge laying, results of last season’s work parties, and information board news and more. There’s also a couple of Appendixes, the contents of which may interest you.
This issue has been moving along very slowly for some two years. Finally, the bureaucratic machinations have been completed and it now only remains to have an official “digging of the first sod” followed by a planting of LNR signs. Andy Glencross has found a grant to pay for three LNR Welcome signs and there will be a small ceremony where someone from the Town Council will declare the LNR truly open. This will have to happen after the elections because of the potential for a candidate or party to be considered to be getting unfair positive publicity during the run-up to the elections. Members of the HCCV will be kept informed as the great day approaches. Nic Hopkinson has kindly offered to do the co-ordination bit between the HCCV and the Town Council.
Now we’ve got it, what do we
do with it?
In the last Newsletter I commented on the various awards we’ve won for our conservation work and what we might do with the money we had been awarded. The Information Board project has proceeded apace and we have had meetings with Andy Glencross to discuss suitable content and format of the Board. Nic approached two suggested specialist suppliers and obtained typical prices. During the Winter, there were meetings when Valerie Givan, Nic Hopkinson, Pippa and John Robinson, Colin Melhuish, Mike and Valerie Davis and I discussed content and layout. We subsequently prepared draft sketches and text and met again to produce a layout for Andy to comment upon. As I write, we are waiting for the feedback.
During all this, Nic had discovered that the sign was going to cost about £2300. This is because it has to be weatherproof, reasonably vandal proof, UV light resistant, coloured, and 4 feet by 3 feet in size. As you found out from my email, we felt that the HCCV could allocate £500 towards the cost of the board. However, during the first Dorothy Morley award ceremony, a member of the Wokingham Society suggested that the Society might be able to assist with funding of projects that were consistent with its Aims and Objects. So, a suitably worded letter was sent to the Secretary of the Society. I attached a copy of our “standard blurb” so that the members could get a reasonable amount of background on our group and its work. Later, a letter came back saying that the application had been viewed favourably but could we now complete and return the Society’s standard application form. This was duly done and re-submitted in time for the April meeting. In my original letter I had offered to conduct any Society members around the copse to show and explain our work. This offer was accepted and on the 24th April the Chairman, Mr. Peter Ballard, was taken round the copse by Nic and myself. It turned out that Peter is something of a nature lover and conservationist himself, so we had a very enjoyable chat. He said the Society was very impressed with the hedge laying along the Reading Road boundary. So, although the work was essentially sub-contracted, our involvement through the training we received meant we could take some credit.
He will take his “findings” back to the Wokingham Society and it will be voted upon by the members. We will hear in due course.
You should have all received a copy of the AGM minutes of meeting by now (what a wonder this email is). Eleven people turned up for the meeting and there was some lively discussion of differing views. This should be seen as a positive thing, demonstrating commitment and enthusiasm. There’s nothing so destructive of a group like ours as apathy.
I won’t rewrite the Minutes since many of the actions are developed in this newsletter having already progressed. Also, later in this newsletter, there’s the calendar of events and work parties.
Work parties are, in many ways, our raison d’être (or even why we exist). I haven’t kept count of how many the group undertook last Autumn and Winter but, in addition to those already scheduled, Nic led a number for the “Weekday Group”. We did lose one due to bad weather, however.
Overall, good progress was made in Compartment 2 although a small amount of work adjacent to the main footpath remains to be done. The benefits of our efforts in Compartment 2 can already be seen in the regenerating coppiced stools together with wood anemone and bluebell increases. Compartment 2 extends southwards (up the hill) the other side of the footpath and that is where we will continue work next Winter.
Work Party numbers seem to have settled to about eight for weekends and four for weekdays. The halcyon early days when we used to get 14 to 15 members working away have gone and the core teams have emerged. We were very lucky last year when Pippa and John Robinson joined us. They’ve emerged as really committed and enthusiastic members involving themselves wholeheartedly in both indoor and outdoor work. We need more like them and our attendance at the May Fayre is one way we may achieve that.
At one of the work parties, a few of us joined the HAWC group to “assist” with the hedge laying and to ultimately admit to ourselves that it isn’t as easy as it looks. Nevertheless, it was worth the effort and the experience. Those of you who’ve noticed that Colin Hook’s beech hedge in Holt Lane is now sprouting leaves will realise that, in a few years, we may have something upon which to practise our newfound skills. From comments and feedback I’ve received, there’s no doubt that the laid hedge has created a very positive image for the HCCV.
No really unusual sightings this time although Nic did see a sparrow hawk making several attempts to catch a squirrel (good). Unfortunately, it wasn’t successful (bad). The tawny owl was heard last Winter but is yet to be seen. I’ve seen a good number of song thrushes feeding out on the park area so Joel Park remains a song thrush hotspot. I expect many of you have heard the descending and accelerating reedy song of the goldcrest recently. Goldcrests, being so small, are very susceptible to cold winters. The relatively mild winters we’ve had of late have allowed more to survive and they are now commonly seen and heard.
Unfortunately, due to the contractor apparently ignoring Colin Hook’s instructions, we won’t see any Lady’s Smock this year. The vital area has been mowed twice already this year, well and truly putting paid to any hope of a recovery until 2004.
Some may be aware that various specialist interest groups such as ornithologists, herpetologists, entomologists, etc., each have their own county recorder. So, when I saw dartford warblers at Sunningdale, I was able to send a postcard to the Hampshire Bird Recorder with details of location, date, etc. These records are used to provide statistics on population fluctuations, migratory trends and so on. County Recorders will, no doubt, still carry on their sterling work. However, as of the 1st April this year, the new Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre was set up. At present it is there to manage and store biological records for Berkshire and Oxfordshire. Later, it is planned to include Buckinghamshire as well.
Andy Glencross has said that he will enquire as to whether the Manager of the TVERC would come along to a BDF meeting to explain the work of the Centre. If this happens, I’ll keep HCCV members informed as some of you might be interested in attending as well.
Biodiversity
Forum (BDF)
As some of you may remember, HCCV is a member of the Wokingham District Biodiversity Forum. Originally, Nic Hopkinson attended as our representative, but, canny lad that he is, he managed to get me to take his place – just before they had to find a new Chairman. So, I now attend as the HCCV rep as well as chairing the meeting. Actually, it’s a useful thing to be involved in and certainly enables me to keep informed on other groups’ activities, network with those groups, a generally get ideas for things we could do.
Originally, the Forum was set up to enable local conservation groups develop biodiversity action plans (BAPS) that parish and town councils could use to develop their responses to the Wokingham District council’s biodiversity responsibilities. This completed, the forum members were reluctant to disband. We felt there were other ways in which we could be useful in promoting conservation and biodiversity in the area while supporting the local Unitary Authority in their efforts.
The latest thing undertaken and facilitated by the Forum was a Parish and Town Council Biodiversity Audit Report. This has been issued and a number of local councils were commended for their commitment to biodiversity by the forum. These commendations have been conveyed by letter, Wokingham Town Council included in the recipients. As a contributing group, HCCV have access to the report and it is attached to this Newsletter as Appendix 2.
Future
Activities and Events
In the past, a number of us have both benefited from and enjoyed various training courses arranged by the Countryside Service and BBOWT. This year, Wokingham is working in partnership with Reading Borough Council to run six courses. Because of the partnership, more courses could be run but it does mean less places can be “guaranteed” to Wokingham area conservationists. So, if you really want to attend one, or more, of these excellent courses the details and registration requirements are shown in Appendix 1 to this Newsletter.
Meanwhile, we still have our own programme of events and work parties. I’m showing these in chronological order rather than separating work from “play”. It’s easier for me to cope with them that way.
Monday 5th May May Fayre Roaming the town’s pubs, press ganging potential new.
members. Cut your cudgels on your way through Holt Copse en route to town. Actually, attending our stall in Erfstadt Court.
Tuesday 6th May Flower survey Led by Maurice Budden. Start at 7pm. from Jubilee Avenue.
Saturday 17th May Bird walk Starting at 9am from Jubilee Avenue. Led by
Colin Melhuish and myself, we’ll try to identify as many birds as we can by song and or sight. Oh, the birds are expected to do the singing – we don’t have to lure into sight like Rhenish Sirens.
Tuesday 3rd June Survey Bat survey. We’ll try to identify the Noctule
and Pippistrelle bat roosts in readiness for the Friday 13th event (below). Meet at 8.30pm in Jubilee Avenue.
Friday 13th June Bat walk Included in the Countryside Services programme, this
will be a combined bat walk and survey. Detectors will be available for use by attendees.
Saturday 28th June Work Party Tidying the fallen storm damage debris.
Building a stag beetle bank.
The weekend work parties dates for next Winter are shown below. These are all on Saturdays and start at 9.30am. Meet in Jubilee Avenue.
October 18th
November 15th
December 12th
December 27th (Inebriation no excuse for absence!)
January 10th
February 7th
Mid-week work party dates to be arranged nearer the time.
Jack Meatcher Visit the HCCV website at: http://website.lineone.net/~hccv/
Appendix 1
1) Woodland Wildflowers Course (GENERAL) – Sat 3rd May (10am-4pm)
2) Town & Parish
Wildlife Surveys – Sat 24th May (10am-4pm)
3) Meadows and Meadow Management – 7th June
(10am-4pm
4) Pond Wildlife & Management (General) – 12th July (10am-4pm)
5) Small Mammals 18th October (10am-4pm)
6) Managing woodlands to increase wildlife diversity – 15th Nov (10am-4pm)
ALL COURSES HAVE TO BE BOOKED BY CONTACTING ANDY GLENCROSS ON 0118 934 2016 OR BY EMAIL AT andy.glencross@wokingham.gov.uk
Appendix
2
Wokingham
Biodiversity Forum
Parish and Town Council Biodiversity Audit
report
On the 1st January 2003 each of Wokingham’s Parish and Town Councils were sent a questionnaire form the Wokingham Biodiversity forum. The questionnaire was aimed at recording and acknowledging the valuable wildlife/biodiversity work carried out by the Councils.
Basis of the Audit
The following questions were included on the questionnaire.
1 Does the Council own or manage any Wildlife sites? If “yes”, please provide details.
2 Has your Council undertaken any specific projects for wildlife/biodiversity? If “yes”, please provide details and dates.
3 Has your Council undertaken any surveys of wildlife/biodiversity? If “yes”, please provide details and dates.
4 Has your Council designated any Local Nature Reserves? If “yes”, please provide details and dates.
5 Has your Council given any grants for wildlife/biodiversity? If “yes”, please provide details.
6 Does your Council support or promote any youth/community wildlife groups? If “yes”, please provide details.
7 Does your Council support, promote or monitor the management of Wildlife Heritage Sites within the Parish/Town? If “yes”, please provide details.
8 Has your Council produced a Parish Wildlife Map? If “yes”, please provide details.
9 Does a representative of your Parish/Town Council regularly attend the Wokingham Biodiversity Forum?
10 Does your Council organise any wildlife/biodiversity events? If “yes”, please give details and dates.
Audit
Results
|
Parish
or Town Council |
Question Number
|
|||||||||
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
|
|
Arborfield
and Newlands PC |
Yes
|
No*
|
No* |
No* |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
No* |
No |
|
Barkham
PC |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
Charvil
PC |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
Earley TC |
Yes
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No* |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Finchampstead
PC |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
Hurst PC |
No
|
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
|
Remenham
PC |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
|
Ruscombe
PC |
Yes |
Yes |
No* |
No* |
No |
No* |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
Shinfield
PC |
Yes
|
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
Sonning
PC |
Yes
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No* |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
|
Swallowfield
PC |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No* |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
Twyford
PC |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No
|
Wargrave
PC
|
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No* |
No |
|
Winnersh
PC |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
Wokingham
TC |
Yes
|
Yes |
No* |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No* |
No |
|
Wokingham
(Without) PC |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
|
Woodley
TC |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No* |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No* |
No |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
number yes answers (Yes + No*)
|
13 (13) |
10 (11) |
6 (9) |
2 (6) |
9 (9) |
7 (9) |
9 (9) |
1 (2) |
8 (12) |
2 (2) |
No*= Not in the past but will do in near future.
Arborfield and Newlands PC: The PC answered Yes twice, No* 4 times and No 4 times. The Council owns and manages (with the local community) Pound Copse (1ha) and Ancient Woodland WHS and is currently working on a project to create 1 or 2 new ponds. The Councillors and the Clerk are committed and enthusiastic about Biodiversity.
Barkham PC: The PC answered Yes once and No 9 times.
The Council does not own any land managed for wildlife and does not support any
groups working within the Parish.
Charvil PC: The PC answered Yes once and No 9 times. The Council does not own any land managed for wildlife and does not support any groups working within the Parish. The PC has in the past been active with Countryside Service developing a management plan for Charvil Country Park.
Earley TC: The TC answered Yes 9 times and No* once. The TC employs a Ranger and an assistant, and owns and manages two WHS, Maiden Erlegh Lakes LNR (10ha) and Rushey Way Pond (0.15ha). the Ranger has worked with all the local schools and community groups to promote biodiversity within their area, including an annual green fair and various small scale biodiversity projects . The Councillors, the Clerk and the Rangers are committed and enthusiastic about Biodiversity.
Finchampstead PC: The PC answered yes 3 times and no 7 times. The Council does not own any land managed for wildlife and does not support any groups working within the Parish. . The PC has in the past been active with Countryside Service developing and supporting the management of California Country Park. The Councillors and the Clerk are committed and enthusiastic about Biodiversity.
Hurst PC: The PC answered yes 4 times and no 6 times. The Council does not own any land managed for wildlife. However the PC supports the Hurst Village Society who have undertaken a number of projects including hedgerow restoration and great crested newt surveys. The PC has also contributed (funded 2 boxes) to the recent District wide barn owl box project.
Remenham PC: The PC answered yes 4 times and no 6
times. The Council does not own any land managed for wildlife and does not
support any groups working within the Parish. Although the PC haven’t
been involved in the past they are keen to start monitoring their WHS.
Ruscombe PC: The PC answered yes 4 times, No* 3 times and no 3 times. The Council owns and manages 2 ponds in the parish, Ruscombe Pond and Castle End Pond. The PC has managed Ruscombe Pond to maintain it’s population of great crested newts and is hoping to encourage gc newts to colonise Castle End Pond. In addition the PC are enthusiastic about biodiversity and were very useful for landowner details during the recent gc newt surveys, one Parish Councillor now has a licence to survey for gc newts.
Shinfield PC: The PC answered yes 7 times and no 3 times. The Council owns two allotment sites which are partially managed with wildlife in mind, indeed a new pond is planned on the recreation ground site. The PC used to manage School Green filed WHS until it lost its designation and Reading University applied for planning permission. The PC has supported the management of a number of ponds in the parish including Grazeley Village Pond and Grazeley Rd Pond. The PC is currently working in partnership with the district Council to manage Clare’s Green Field WHS. The Councillors and the Clerk are committed and enthusiastic about Biodiversity.
Sonning PC: The PC answered yes 9 times and once. The council owns and manages Ali’s Pond Local Nature Reserve (0.4ha), holds an annual pond dipping session for local school children and has had a botanical survey of the entire Parish carried out. The Councillors and the Clerk are committed and enthusiastic about Biodiversity.
Swallowfield PC: The PC answered yes 7 times, No* once and No twice. The Council owns and manages 2 sites for biodiversity, Swallowfield Meadow (P)LNR (0.7ha) and the Marshes WHS (<2.2ha) and supports financially the groups that are associated with each of the sites. The Councillors and the Clerk are committed and enthusiastic about Biodiversity.
Twyford PC: The PC answered yes once and No 9 times. The council owns and manages Stanlake Meadow, which although mostly used for cricket and football is surrounded by and important hedgerow and has an area set aside for wildlife. The Councillors and the Clerk are committed and enthusiastic about Biodiversity and are hoping to undertake projects in the future.
Wargrave PC: The PC answered yes once, No* once and No 8 times. Although the PC owns a number of small sites it has not undertaken any specific biodiversity projects. The PC is keen to undertake projects in the future.
Winnersh PC: The PC answered yes 3 times and No 7 times. The council has planted a small area of new native woodland on the edge of it’s Bearwood recreation ground. The Councillors and the Clerk are committed and enthusiastic about Biodiversity.
Wokingham TC: The PC answered Yes 7 times, No* twice and No once. The council owns and manages Holt Copse and Joel Park (P)LNR (5.3ha) and Viking Field (7ha). In addition they hope to change the management on Redlands Farm Park (4ha). The TC is about to designate Holt Copse and Joel Park an LNR and would like to designate the other two sites in the future. The Councillors, the officers and the Clerk are committed and enthusiastic about Biodiversity.
Wokingham (Without) PC: The PC answered Yes 4 times and No 6 times. The council manages the Pinewood Centre which includes 7.4ha of mixed woodland. In addition 5 of the buildings on the site are known to support bat roosts. The Councillors, the officers and the Clerk are committed and enthusiastic about Biodiversity.
Woodley TC: The PC answered Yes 5 times, No* twice and No 3 times. The TC does not currnetly own any land managed for biodiversity but actively supports the district ionit’s management of Highwood LNR and Aldermoors LNR. The Councillors, the officers and the Clerk are committed and enthusiastic about Biodiversity.
13 out of 17 Parishes/Towns owned and or managed land for biodiversity, the total area currently under management is approximately 35ha. The top 4 land owning PC/TCs are Wokingham TC (12.3Ha), Earley TC (10.15ha), Wokingham (Without) (7.4ha) and Swallowfield PC (2.9ha).
10 out of 17 Parishes/Towns have undertaken specific biodiversity projects. Many of the projects have centred on Managing, restoring or creating ponds, most notably Shinfield PC have restored 2 ponds, Swallowfield PC and Sonning PC have created a new pond each, and Ruscombe PC have managed 2 existing ponds. Earley TC have undertaken various projects over the years including interpretation signs, meadow creation, wetland creation and a butterfly garden (to name but a few), Hurst PC have funded and supported the district wide barn owl box project.
6 out of 17 Parishes/Towns have undertaken surveys for biodiversity. Most notably Sonning PC undertook a survey of the entire parish, Swallowfield PC have undertaken botanical surveys of one of their sites, Ruscombe and Shinfield PCs have undertaken newt surveys and Wokingham (Without) PC have undertaken a bat survey of their buildings.
2 out of 17 Parishes/Towns have designated Local Nature Reserves, Earley TC (Maiden Erlegh lakes LNR) and Sonning PC (Ali’s Pond LNR). However wokingham TC, Swallowfield PC and Arborfield and Newlands PC are hoping to designate LNR’s in the next year (indeed sites in Swallowfield and Wokingham have already been accepted by English Nature).
9 out of 17 Parishes/Towns have given grants for biodiversity projects. Earley TC, Finchampstead PC, Hurst PC, Remenham PC, Shinfield PC, Sonning PC, Swallowfield PC, Wokingham TC and Woodley TC all gave grants. The largest amount of grant was by Swallowfield PC (£18500 on 3 separate projects).
7 out of 17 Parishes/Towns have supported a local youth/community group. Earley TC runs its own Watch group, Swallowfield PC supports 2 separate community groups and Wokingham TC manages Holt Copse in partnership with the local community group.
9 out of 17 Parishes/Towns have monitored their Wildlife Heritage Sites. This has mostly been around sites that the PC/TC owns, however Shinfield PC has identified all the WHS in it Village design Statement.
1 out of 17 Parishes/Towns have produced a parish map. Sonning PC undertook a complete survey of their parish.
8 out of 17 Parishes/Towns have a regular representative at the Biodiversity Forum. A further 3 parishes/Towns expressed a desire to send a representative to the forum in the future.
2 out of 17 Parishes/Towns have organised biodiversity events. Earley TC has organised an annual Green fair and Sonning PC has an annual pond dipping session for local children at Ali’s Pond LNR.
17 Parish/Town councils were each asked 10 questions. 67 out 170 were answered yes (39%),. This rose to 82 out of 170 for all positive responses (i.e. including No* answers) (48%). Although this is a very positive response there is still a lot of work to do as 88 out of 170 were answered No (52%).
In overall terms it is clear that Earley TC have made the most significant contribution to the district’s biodiversity of any of the Parish/Town councils. However there are a number of PC that aspire to match the achievements of Earley TC in the future. Ruscombe PC, Shinfield PC, Sonning PC, Swallowfield PC, Wokingham TC and Wokingham (Without) PC have all made a significant contribution to the district’s biodiversity.
It is recommended that the Forum send a copy of this report to every Parish or Town council with a letter asking the PC/TC to raise the report as an agenda item at their next meeting. In addition The forum should send a letter of special commendation to Earley Town Council and a letter of commendation to Ruscombe PC, Shinfield PC, Sonning PC, Swallowfield PC, Wokingham TC and Wokingham (Without) PC.
The forum should repeat the audit of Parish and Town Councils in 2006.