EDITOR’S NOTE



EDITOR’S NOTE

Welcome to the April issue of our newsletter of this year. I would appreciate more contributions from any of our 800+ members. There have been over 500 hits on our web site. Please help us find out a little more by signing our website guestbook, even if it just lets us know you visited. Enjoy your newsletter.

NOTES FROM THE COMMITTEE

As our regulars will know, Brian Cockayne passed away in February after a long illness. Not only was Brian (and Eileen) a regular at our events, but in his 10 years of retirement, he built up a well deserved reputation for his talks about his visits to the more remote corners of the UK. Where he gave these talks to audiences outside the Trust, he kindly donated any donations received to Trust funds. We shall all miss him a lot, especially that wicked sense of humour!

FUNDRAISING/SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

Both of our recent events have gone very well. Back in January, the Hills Singers Chamber Choir, entertained over 90 of us, to a superb programme of unaccompanied singing, whilst one of their members also proved to be an exceptional solo recorder player! Everyone had a great evening and our funds benefited by £470.

Then, in late February, we had our annual quiz evening, also at Powick. About 60 members and friends joined in for light hearted evening of fun and frustration! How competitive some people can become!

Looking ahead, can we ask you for your help and also for your ideas? On Friday 7th and Saturday 8th July, we have the opportunity of making a collection for Trust funds, in the entrance area of Morrison’s in Malvern. To cover both days fully, we need some extra hands. Any help you could give us would be very much appreciated. Please let Pam Scroop know on 01684 311445.

Further ahead, we would like to organize another social evening in the autumn. Can you help us with any ideas, particularly for something slightly different?

INDOOR MEETINGS REPORTS BY JIM HANDLEY

December

Our December meeting focused on seasonal enjoyment. Tony Hughes first took us on a naturalist's tour around the Malvern Hills - what a variety we have locally. Then after mulled wine, mince pies and other tasty fare, we let our hair down with a combination of dingbats, word games and charades all with a wildlife theme.

January

The New Year programme opened with Chris Bradley taking us into, “The Realm of the Fallow Deer,” in Wyre Forest. A life time of observation and photography, meant he was able to bring us close to the beauty and lifestyle of these Delightful beasts. We also met the hazards and dangers they face, in an increasingly hostile environment.

February

From the battle of Naseby to the one at Tewkesbury - a new meaning to wildlife! But when you follow the course of the River Avon with Brian Draper, you find historical events, architectural gems and fascinating insights, are all woven into the life of this delightful river, which takes in places like

Rugby, Warwick, Stratford and Evesham. Nearly 90 members enjoyed this relaxing meander through time and space.

March

At March's meeting, Alan Shepherd gave us a close up, in every sense, of the life of Britain's amphibians - our newts, frogs and toads. Intriguing facts abounded e.g. great crested newts are deaf and short sighted, but make up for this with their chemical defences and sensibilities and so live for up to 18 years. Toads migrate up to 5 miles, but only head for their traditional breeding ponds when air temperatures hit 8ºC and they can smell water plants growing! A fascinating insight!

E-MAIL INBOX

Came across this great resource ? Lots of excellent wildlife images and video clips (mainly BBC). I was looking for some bat info but there are some good dormouse clips as well. Also useful species notes and links. The educational resources seem worth a look - there are some nice overview PDF documents e.g. “Woodland Notes" which are of general interest.

David Lee

DON’T MISS

BLUEBELL SUNDAY

At

THE KNAPP & PAPERMILL

NATURE RESERVE

On

SUNDAY 23rd April

11.00a.m. to 5.00p.m.

Guided Walks, Pig Roast Adults £3

Wildlife Displays, Children £1.

Children’s Activities,

Homemade Refreshments etc.

For more details

Tel. Fergus or Tina on 01886 832065.

WATCH GROUP MEETING REPORT BY

KIERRA HENDERSON (Age 4)

My Mummy took me to the Watch Group meeting in February at Ravenshill Nature Reserve. I got a big, yellow book for recording things I will find and a great sticker for attending. I did some colouring and then we went for a spring walk, the mud was brilliant, good job I had my wellies. Mummy said, “thank goodness for washing machines,” and I got to clean her car afterwards. I met lots of other little people and made new friends. Trevor and Annette helped us make nest boxes and I coloured mine in. The hammering was really noisy but great fun. I chose bright, pretty nails for mine. Next time Trevor’s going to help me put up my nest box up because I can’t reach yet! We played Wildlife Bingo, I came out 18p richer! Can’t wait till next time.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

INDOOR MEETINGS

Unless stated, all indoor meetings are held on the First Thursday in the month, at the Chase High School Sixth Form Annexe, Geraldine Close, off Geraldine Road, Barnards Green, Malvern, at 7.30p.m.

Entrance: Adults £1.50, children free. Refreshments included.

Non-Trust members welcome.

THURSDAY 6th APRIL 2006

Springtime – Dormice, Swallows and Much More,

By Ann Bowker, Garth Lowe and Richard Newton.

THURSDAY 4th MAY 2006

Wildflowers on Bredon Hill,

By John Meiklejohn.

OUTDOOR MEETINGS

SUNDAY 2nd APRIL 2006

Three nature reserves - hilly walk from Ravenshill Wood, Lulsley, via Crews Hill Wood to the Knapp and Papermill Reserve, Alfrick Pound. Meet at 10.00a.m. at Ravenshill Woodland Reserve Information Centre (GR SO 740539). Finish by 2.00p.m. approx., bring packed lunch, wear suitable clothing and footwear. For further details, tel. Fergus Henderson on 01886 832065.

SATURDAY 6th MAY 2006

Coach trip along the river Avon with Brain Draper as far as Brandon Marsh Reserve Visitor Centre, HQ of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust. Approx 8.30 a. m. - 6.30p.m. £10 per person. Food and drink can be purchased but bring a packed lunch if you wish. To book tel. Carol Bradley on 01886 884372

SUNDAY 7th MAY 2006

Dawn chorus walk at the Knapp and Papermill Reserve, Alfrick Pound. Meet at 6.00a.m. at bridge near the reserve entrance (GR SO150 752521). 2-2½ hours. Wear suitable clothing and footwear. For further details, tel. Fergus on 01886 832065.

MONDAY 29th MAY 2006

Wildflower ramble at Castlemorton Common. Meet at the car park on Hancocks Lane, off A4104 (GR SO150 780395) at 10.a.m. 2½ hrs easy walk. Wear suitable clothing and footwear. Dogs on leads only. Donations to WWT welcome. For more details tel. 01684 311445

TUESDAY 20th JUNE 2006

Garden visit and talk. Caves Folly Nursery Organic Garden and “Longacre,” Evandine Lane off Colwall Green, B4218 between Malvern and Ledbury. Start at 7.00p.m. Wear suitable clothing and footwear. No dogs. £3.50 incl. tea and biscuits. Optional supper £8.50. For details and booking (essential by Thurs 15th June for supper), tel. 01886 884372 or 07929091814 or 01886 832802.

WEDNESDAY 5th JULY 2006

Bredon Hill- A stroll with John Meiklejohn. Meet at 7p.m. in car park by Eckington Bridge, (GR SO150 923423). Parking limited so please car share if possible. Finish 9-9.30p.m. No dogs. For details tel. 01886 884372 or 01886 832802.

SATURDAY 15th JULY 2006

Bats, Glow worms and Moths at the Knapp and Papermill Nature Reserve, Alfrick Pound, with warden Fergus Henderson. Meet at 9p.m. at the information centre. Some walking over rough ground. Wear suitable footwear and clothing and bring a torch. Bat detectors optional. Adults £1, children 50p. For further details, tel. Fergus on 01886 832065.

WEDNESDAY 2ND AUGUST 2006

Hill Court Farm, Longdon Marsh – A farm walk. Meet at 9.45a.m. at the car park on the A4104, Welland Road, Upton-upon-Severn (GR SO150 851403). Parking limited so please car share if possible. Approx. 2½ hrs. Flat but rough ground. No dogs. For details tel. 01886 884372 or 01886 832802.

WEDNESDAY 24th SEPTEMBER 2006

Blackstone Rock and Devils Spittleful Nature Reserve- Geology and wildlife walk. Meet at 2.30p.m. in the car park off the A456 Bewdley bypass, near the roundabout before the Severn Bridge (GR SO138 796744). Approx. 2½hrs, 3 miles leisurely walk. Wear suitable clothing and footwear. For details tel. 01886 884372 or 01886 832802.

FUND RAISING / SOCIAL EVENTS

SUNDAY 23rd APRIL

Bluebell Sunday at the Knapp and Papermill Reserve. 11.00a.m. to 5.00p.m. Adults £3, children £1. Guided walks, children’s activities, wildlife displays, homemade refreshments etc. For more details, tel. Fergus or Tina on 01886 832065.

Knotes from the Knapp By Fergus Henderson

For those who visit the Knapp and Papermill regularly, you may have noticed that the hedge has been laid in the picnic site. The Worcester Conservation Volunteers, led by Dave and Jane Scott, came over to us and did a fabulous job of rescuing what was a poor example of a hedge. In the process, they gave us the benefit of their knowledge and experience, by teaching us some new skills and for that, we say a big thank you.

On the management front, the ponies are coming to the end of their winter stay on Papermill Meadow. I for one, think they have done a fabulous job of grazing down the rank grass that livestock have struggled with in previous years. Hopefully this will be the start of a new management regime, that will see a big improvement in the condition of the meadow.

In the woodlands, a grant from the Countryside Agency, has enabled us to carry out some coppicing work in an area of Tor Coppice, which probably hasn’t been touched for about 40 years. This work will hopefully create some more favourable habitat for our small dormouse population as well as some good foraging opportunities for bats.

Across the reserve in general, the volunteers have worked extremely hard to maintain the site in its current condition. The mid-week work party, led by Jim Handley, has completed a diverse range of tasks including, fencing, putting in steps, bramble clearance and general footpath maintenance. My own Sunday group have been able to get some coppicing work done this winter, as well as getting involved with hedge laying.

I personally would like to extend my thanks to all the Knapp volunteers who have contributed to the management of the reserve. Without them, the Knapp would not be the beautiful place that attracts so much wildlife and so many visitors.

Please send newsletter items to:

Miss Tina Deooray

The Knapp House

Bridges Stone

Alfrick Pound

Worcester

WR6 5HR

e-mail: tina.deooray@

Next newsletter contributions to be received by: 15th August 2006.

Visit us at malverngroup.

Thank you to Jim, Fergus, David, Carol and Kierra for contributions to this newsletter.

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Worcestershire

Wildlife Trust

April 2006

Worcestershire

Wildlife Trust

April 2005

Worcestershire

Wildlife Trust

Worcestershire

Wildlife Trust

April 2005

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