Yare Valley Walk – Page 6 – Yare Valley Society

4 June 20204 June 2020

Covid19 Enjoy the flowers in the Yare Valley

A striking array of flowers in parts of the Valley at this time, some obvious:

some more hidden away:

June Gentle, who sent in these photos writes:

“The Yare Valley has been of paramount importance to many people during this time of isolation and restrictions of movement.
I have met many people walking the valley to whom it has been a place of calm and peace, and have enjoyed the unfolding of nature in this lovely Spring weather.
We have watched the gold of dandelions give way to yellow buttercups and the deep blue of bluebells. Later the scent of the May trees and flashes of butterflies, dragonflies and damsels .
I met one couple carrying the YVS Walks Guide, telling me that they had just completed them all; and others who have been grateful to find such a landscape available to them in these difficult times.
We have come to realise, even more, how important the natural world is to us all, and how vital it is to safeguard it for the future.”

Keep hunting.

31 May 20204 June 2020

Covid19 Enjoy the open spaces in the Yare Valley

Tomorrow (Monday 1 June) sees some relaxing of the lock-down with the attendant dangers. Strict observance of social distancing continues to be of utmost importance. It is wonderful to see great use being made of the Yare Valley Green Corridor, and the benefit it has been to so many; but parts of the riverside walk are becoming crowded, and in places, social distancing can be difficult.

Wide Paths on Marston Marsh make distancing easy

Many of us are avoiding the narrower paths, and turning instead to the wide open spaces of Marston Marsh, Eaton Common, Earlham Park and the Bowthorpe Marshes. Marston Marsh looks particularly lovely at this time, with an air of remoteness. There is plenty to see.

Eaton Common is missed by many. A circular walk allowing plenty of distancing space in most places. The walk includes a tranquil stretch of the river with passing places.

20 February 20201 June 2020

Welcome to Strawberry Field

A colourful and attractive information panel has appeared at the Bluebell Road gated entrance to the Strawberry Field. It shows how the paths in the field link with the newly resurfaced Yare Valley Walk beside the river, as well as providing other guidance.

Dog owners are asked to soften the impact of their dogs on the wildlife habitats, e.g. of water voles. A dog swim point is marked, and dog owners should restrict their dog’s swimming to this area only, and in all other places to keep dogs out of the river and ditches.

An addition that could be usefully made to display map would be to show the new (unsurfaced) path that runs along at the foot of the Cringleford fly-over embankment and links the south corner of the new McCarthy and Stone Daisy Hill Court development with the river walk. The approximate line of the path has been added in the photograph below as a thick dark red dotted line. More opportunities for circular walks!

13 November 201914 November 2019

Buses in the Valley – Councillor raises concerns

It has been a long-held dream in some quarters to create a bus link across the valley from the western end of Chancellors Drive at UEA to the Norwich Research Park. The realisation of such a route has been brought a step closer, by its possible inclusion in a County Council bid for money from a “Transforming Cities” government fund. It is seen as a way of improving public transport by shortening journey times.

The EDP of 12 November reports on a recent Norfolk Bus Forum meeting, at which Judith Lubbock, Liberal Democrat Norwich city councillor for Eaton, voiced concern about the link:

“It’s a very special place, the Yare Valley, and we try very hard to protect it. I think, for the very small amount of journey time you’d save by going across the Yare Valley, I cannot see the saving would be worth the destruction.”

The EDP article can be found here.

The YVS supports Judith’s view, and will work with all those determined to keep the Yare Valley a Green Space for wildlife and informal recreation.

22 October 201920 November 2019

Strawberry Field: work progresses

The “Strawberry Field” is between Bluebell Road and the river, near to the McCarthy and Stone housing development (previously the Bartram Mowers site).

After recent closures for works, the Riverside Walk below the Strawberry Field is now open with a much-improved surface, and the restoration and extension of a section of the boardwalk to create a link to a new path in the Strawberry Field.

Early in November, volunteers of Norwich Fringe Countryside Management Project will be installing interpretation boards and way marker signs for the new Strawberry Fields Open Space. Interested in volunteering to work in the Project? Details Fringe Project activities are on their website.

Bluebell road entrance to Strawberry Field

There is a continuing management programme for improving the meadow-land of the strawberry field.

1 June 20191 June 2019

Have your say on UEA “Sky House”

Now is your chance to influence the detail of the planning application UEA will be submitting for their Sky House. Do not miss the Public Consultation on Thursday 6^th June from 4.00 to 7.00 pm in the Foyer Area on the ground floor of the Enterprise Centre (car parking is available in the Main Campus car park).

The Sky House, has been announced as a new multi-storey academic building to serve as an innovative centre for Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. It will be located at the intersection of University Drive and Chancellors Drive and be designed as a new gateway and destination building for UEA. Find out more here.

The YVS will be examining the proposals closely to assess the impact on the Yare Valley. Please let YVS know of any of your concerns – but it is also important you respond personally to the UEA consultation.

1 June 20191 June 2019

Giant Hogweed returns to the Valley

A YVS member has reported the return of Giant Hogweed to the Valley. As last year, it was spotted near the Cringleford/Eaton Flyover. The Sap can cause severe skin burns and can pose a serious risk to people unaware of its harmful nature. See the news for May 2018 for more information and pictures.

The Norwich Fringe Project is aware of the presence of Giant Hogweed in the Valley, and has passed information on to the department in Norwich City Council that deals with the invasive species and dangerous plants. Treatment should follow, but in the meantime take care.

21 November 201821 November 2018

Local Residents put finishing touches to Bridge of Dreams

Eaton Village Residents Association working with the Norwich Fringe Project have planted trees on the river banks at the approaches to the new bridge, and fenced off a culvert on the approach path. Their efforts will ensure the greenery will soon reclaim the river banks with renewed vigour. Peace and tranquillity will return to the river and we can all pause on the bridge and dream. Follow the links to find out more.

Norwich Fringe Project is always pleased to hear from people wishing to volunteer to help maintain and improve the green space around Norwich.

21 October 201821 October 2018

Strawberry Field enhancement delayed

A notice posted at the Bluebell Road entrance to the Strawberry Field suggests that work on improvement of paths, signposting, interpretation panels etc. would be taking place this autumn, and that the field would be shut in order to enable the work to be done.

YVS now understand that the work will not now take place until the spring because of the need to complete some formalities. In the meantime, the field will not be shut, and the public will be able to enjoy use of the Field.

21 October 20181 November 2018

“Bridge of Dreams” now open

The Colney/Bowthorpe bridge linking a Colney bridleway with an ancient track into Bowthorpe is now open. The dreams of half a century have been realised. There are reports of it already being used by “green” commuters between the Norwich Research Park and Bowthorpe. It will not be long before other users of the Valley green space include this tranquil crossing in their circular excursions.