Water End Wild life Area
Several years ago the Parish Council drew up a Local Plan for Brompton which examined a diverse range of improvements including increasing the diversity of flora and fauna of the village and the environment, particularly focusing on the communal greens. The previous flood group undertook extensive tree and hedge planting as part of their flood defence work.
The ‘top green’ of Water End near Fullicar was designated a space where re-wilding began in 2020 with the reduction in routine grass cutting. Walkers and dog walkers soon made their own now well -trodden routes which loop through the trees and beds. Two areas were initially cordoned off, scarified and sown with wildflower seeds. Now in 2022 the cordon has been removed as the wildflowers- annuals and perennials- are now well established and we hope 2022 will really see a difference in the increased diversity of plants. Mid Spring 2021 saw a wonderful display of dandelions, followed by the restful, tall purple swaying meadow grasses in the summer, the wildflowers attracting insects and moths. Toads were spotted and tawny owls were heard in the evenings.
2021 saw the area provide a peaceful place for residents to wander, observe, sit and take time out during what has been a very stressful two year period in unprecedented times. The Working Group volunteers received many positive comments about the area. However we do recognise that the Parish Council received a few repeated complaints and in order to address these a New Management Plan for the area has been put together. Whilst we appreciate many people like a well manicured garden and lawn, our greens are not municipal parks and having a wild area is more in keeping with a country village ethos.
Wild Life Area Update - Work Day 13th March 2023
Wild Life Area Update - Work Day Saturday October 8th 2022
A perfect autumn morning greeted the volunteers who turned up at the Wildlife Area on Saturday ready for a hard work session.
Volunteers old and new - in both age and person, dug up docks, raked off grass, stripped turf, shifted turf and prepared more areas ready for seed sowing. Team working was in full tilt as many hands made light work
The unexpected discovery of a family of voles and a frog delighted the youngsters – real proof our Wildlife Area is indeed attracting Wildlife!
Thanks to Andy at SHC Tool hire for loaning the turf stripper free of charge and John Brigginshaw for wrestling the beast of a machine in boggy earth.
Join us again next Saturday for an hour of seed sowing and planting.
Here is a selection of photos from Sat 8th Oct 2022 THANK YOU EVERYONE J
