Hallo everyone,

I am sure that, like me, you will be enjoying the park this summer. it feels a great privilege to have such an interesting and diverse space so close to our houses. With the wonderful summer weather, there has been substantial growth in all the areas that were close cropped over the winter. In fact in some places I am beginning to wonder whether there was any real point doing the ‘attentuation works’! The regrowth does continue to ask questions about the future management of the space. These are questions we shall pursue with the council over the coming months.

Here are some photos recently taken of the North Pond

and the South Pond

Thank you Sue and Victoria, for your ideas about developing  community responsibility around litter. I gather some Guides are offering to get stuck in. I have also heard from Joy that she has been lobbying to get the litter bins emptied on a Friday so as to  make sure the bins have enough capacity over the weekend. This happened for a few weeks, but last weekend they were not emptied on the Friday and the bin outside the library was set on fire. There was also some other minor vandalism with tree branches being ripped down, spray painting and the surface around one part of the swings being damaged. Disappointing.

Other news in brief:

• The desilting works to the ponds is set for mid August, so this is when to expect our next major upheaval.
• I gather that investigations are continuing about the stagnant stream under the footbridge but have received no news of plans. This area will be desilted in any case, which will help in the short term, but not solve the underlying problem.
• We are still awaiting plans for the culvert where the temporary orange fencing has been placed. The willow is regrowing well around the potentially deep water. It is a pity it was ever removed!
• We are still waiting for the removal of the bollard that causes council vans to foul the grass despite an undertaking that it would be done a fortnight ago.
• The orchard group meets next Saturday July 19th at 10am. We will be laying more membrane and woodchip in preparation for autumn planting

Best wishes for a good summer

Chris Sunderland
July 2014