This month is unusual for having no work for the volunteers scheduled in the Valley. What is on offer is free bus travel to other places on the programme. Next month there will be some “jolly trips” for volunteers. Ideas so far include a boat trip, Blickling/Felbrigg, and Sheringham / the North Norfolk Railway, but more ideas are welcome for the usual 5 days of fun. Keith’s monthly letter and programme are here.
McCarthy Stone green space link to Strawberry field opens
The last obstruction to accessing the McCarthy Stone green space has now been removed, opening up more possibilities for circular walks in the Valley. In the original plans a stile was proposed for this access point, but YVS argued that a stile was inappropriate for a green space adjacent to a development for the over 55s.
The green space has been extensively planted, and so hopefully in a few years’ time the rather stark view from the Strawberry Field into the green space will be softened.
Landscaping in the Yare Valley
After much delay planting is now underway on the green space adjacent to the McCarthy Stone development on the Bluebell Road. The landscaped area will have links to the Strawberry Field and to the Yare Valley Walk and will open up opportunities for new green circular walks.
The planting of trees and other environmental mitigations for achieving biodiversity net gain for the development were a condition of the planning approval. From the start of the development the Yare Valley Society has pressed for the completion of the landscaping of the green space and the other required ecological improvements. It has monitored its progress, and provided reports to the Norwich City Council Planning Department. A recent survey by YVS found that most of the environmental mitigations are now in place. Some, such as hedgehog gaps in the boundary fence, and boundary hedgerow infill planting, are still outstanding, and are being followed up.
At most points of entry to the green space there is fencing, and it is probably as well that general public access is restricted until the planted meadow areas have been given time to become established. People have been seen inside the area already. There are surfaced paths, and it is to be hoped they remain on the paths and treat the newly planted areas with respect. Moles already have access:
Conservation Volunteers Programme February
The Conservation Volunteers reach out to some new sites this month, together with no less than three SSSI sites. In the Yare Valley they will be cutting and raking in the UEA reedbeds on Monday the 24th February. A letter from the team Leader, Mark Webster, and the full programme of activities is here.
Conservation Volunteers January Programme
The conservation volunteers spread their wings still further with half a dozen new sites added to their programme this month. No work planned for the Yare Valley, but plenty of opportunities to become involved elsewhere. The organiser Mark Webster writes: “While the birds are having a rest from breeding, for us it’s full tilt on habitat improvement works over the winter, with a focus on ponds, woodlands and heaths, including three designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) at East Ruston, Swannington Upgate, and Flordon.” His full letter to Volunteers together with the this month’s Programme is here.
All are welcome to come along and get active!
Sowers and the Reapers
The Yare Valley Meadow Makers has recently been busy preparing the ground for next year’s crop of wildflowers. A lot has been done, and a large area of UEA meadows is now ready for seeding.
In the upper picture, look beyond the workers and to the right and you will see lurking in the background “The Reapers” Three in all, they are an addition to the Sainsbury Centre Sculpture Park.
The Artist Ivan Morison says “In gaming circles Reapers are a synthetic-organic alien race, connecting us to the fear we share of the mutant monsters sure to come from human techno meddling in plant biology. …” The works are an outcome of the artist’s research residency Towards the Weird Heart of Things at The Sainsbury Centre.
Conservation Volunteers November Programme
All are welcome to give the support they can. There are big opportunities this month to get your hands dirty and join the volunteers to contribute directly to the wellbeing of Yare Valley wildlife:
Cringleford Bridge Meadow on Monday 4th and Friday 15th
Eaton Burial Ground on Church Lane on the Wednesday 6th, Thursday 7th, and Tuesday 12th
Bluebell Woods at Eaton Park on Friday 22nd.
The programme is here. It gives full details including the occasions when lunch will be available.
Conservation Volunteers October Programme
Mark Webster writes:
We are looking to thank volunteers old and new by providing lunch for all attendees wherever convenient outlets exist near to where we are working this month, as indicated by L [in the programme] … Could be sandwiches, could be chips, but we will see that people get a decent feed to help keep out the autumn chill. …
Full details of the programme are here.
Conservation Volunteers August Programme
The Conservation Volunteers will be out in force in August doing work in various locations, including Bowthorpe Southern Park on two occasions. Their task here will be to remove ragwort from a specific area to make it safe for cattle grazing. Grazing creates vegetation at different heights, and small areas of bare ground. This encourages a wide range of wildlife in different habitats. It also helps wildflowers to grow, flower, and set seed each year.
Everyone is welcome. Details of the Programme are here.
Yellow Rattle Seed Collection 10th July
Yare Valley Meadow Makers would welcome your help to harvest Yellow Rattle Seed. Now the summer has finally come, the yellow rattle seed is ripening and they need lots for Strawberry field and UEA meadows in the Autumn.
The harvest will be on Wednesday 10th July 6-8pm, with a pint in the Cellar House after for those who would like to.
Meeting location – Marston Marsh, at the entrance opposite the big golf club gates, what3words: brush.handy.admit.
Yellow rattle growing in Strawberry Field, possibly from seed sown in earlier years:
