Holt Copse Conservation Volunteers

Newsletter No. 6

Editorial

Well, the last six months have certainly been eventful for us. We have had what can only be described as a fantastic start and we must now think of not only maintaining the impetus and success, but also building on it. Be prepared to promote our aims and aspirations to anyone who’ll listen. During working parties, members should be ready to stop working and talk to anyone who shows an interest.

Comments made by some of the members of the other groups at the Dorothy Morley Award ceremony made me realise how lucky we are. Let’s enjoy and nurture our good fortune.

The Dorothy Morley Memorial Parish Conservation Award

The award ceremony took place in the Parish Rooms of St. Paul’s Church, Wokingham. It was, without a doubt, a great success and enjoyed by everyone there. The venue contributed a lot in creating the right sort of atmosphere with a conservation award winning churchyard in view through the windows. We were also very lucky in that the Table Top Sale, scheduled for the same morning, had been cancelled and we had the run of the building. Consequently, there was never a feeling of being cramped.

Having met at the hall, a number of the visitors took up the option of a conducted tour of the Copse to see what we had done and what the Copse was like. This, despite the pouring rain! They didn’t seem to be in a hurry to get back and showed great interest in the Copse itself. Several visitors were heard to remark, somewhat enviously, on the mature oak trees and the diversity of species.

The formal proceedings began with an introduction and description of the background to the award. Charles Morley, Dorothy’s husband, told us about Dorothy and how a group of friends had collected a sum of money sufficient to finance the competition. Sally Oldfield of BBOWT then gave a description of each project, in turn, after which the Group concerned received their award. The HCCV got the “double whammy” because we received not only the £750 first prize but also got a magnificent commemorative scroll. This in itself would have been sufficient reward even without the cash.

After the descriptions of the projects it was interesting to talk to the other award winners who came from Swallowfield, Goring & Streatley and Burnham. We each felt that one of the other groups should have got the first prize. The challenges of continual dumping and vandalism on the Burnham site would be enough to turn any group away from bothering to carry on the struggle. It was interesting that a number of the visitors remarked on the lack of rubbish or litter in the Copse. So we should, perhaps, consider ourselves fortunate.

After the official bits, we mixed and socialised. This in itself was useful. I found it interesting that the HCCV seemed to be the only group with a Newsletter. Some of the other groups thought they might have a go at one in the future.

Well, this is a very brief account of the affair. No doubt there are others in the group who could “stand back” and observe thus being able to put a more comprehensive article together. However, I‘ve not received it yet. So this is all you get for the time being!

Next Meeting

There will be a meeting at Nic Hopkinson’s house on Wednesday, October 18th, starting at 8.00pm. We need to discuss such things as:

1. How to spend the money.
2. Where the scroll is to be displayed.
3. If any HCCV members want colour photocopies (of the scroll, not the cheque!) for themselves.
4. Plan the Work Party programme for the coming year.

Batwalk

The Batwalk, held on October 7th, was definitely a success and enjoyed by all. How many of us have walked past that tree and, even if we saw the black wet streak down it, would have realised it was evidence of a bat roost. Tony Vetta of the Berks & South Bucks Bat Group was certainly very knowledgeable about his subject and we could have just sat around listening and learning all evening.

Although Tony’s Bat Detector turned out to be faulty, Sally Oldfield of BBOWT had brought two of theirs along for us to try. With Tony advising on the appropriate frequencies at which to set them we were soon picking up Pipistrelle and Noctule bats, which was what we expected (or at least hoped for!). Although the evening wasn’t too cold, we would probably get a better response on a warm night in June. So, Sally has agreed to bring the detectors back again next year when we can have another go.

Another action for next Summer is to try to count the Noctule Bats as they emerge from their roosts. Yes, there is a second roost which I’ve managed to locate following a hint from Tony.

We did get a brief report of the event into the Wokingham Times and it is hoped that this will also help to promote appreciation of, and interest in, bats.

Surveys

A number of members kindly responded to my request for a Summer Bird survey. I think its effectiveness was influenced by the very bad weather at that time. However, attached to this Newsletter are, at last, the results.

I have been asked if we are going to do another bird survey in January, 2001. I’d like to as it will mean we can compare it with the results of this year’s. There will, no doubt, be another Newsletter before Christmas so I’ll do the forms for then.

I did try to do a bit of a flora survey in the areas where we’ve carried out work. Unfortunately, its effectiveness was undermined by my ignorance of plant identification. I did see wild strawberries and raspberries where previously none could be seen. Also, ferns were emerging along with a load of the dreaded laurel seedlings! We do know that wood sorrel, wood anemone and bluebells flourished in the cleared areas. Anybody out there prepared to have a more informed go at getting a list together?

Jack Meatcher

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