What a phenomenal summer we have been having,with temperatures in the 30s but enough rain that the plants are not in too serious a state. I recently had an interesting walk round the park with Jim Mathison of South Glos Council who is co-ordinating things from a council perspective. It was good to meet Jim and sense his knowledge and concern for plants and wildlife.

He pointed out these two dead elms which are near the gate by the houses at the Langley end. A sad legacy of Dutch Elm disease.

On a positive note you may have noticed that the hazel is now carrying its nuts and the blackberries are about to come ready. If you fancy picking some without prickles then try the orchard where there is now a good stand of thornless blackberries growing in amongst the autumn olive tree on the bend in the path.

It has been good to see the orchard come into its own this year with many local people sampling the fruit. That is what it is for, so help yourselves! If you would like a guide to how much to take, the normal gleaning rule is not to take more than a third of the ripe fruit from any bush.

Also news from Tony, he has been compiling a log of wild flowers in the park. I am hoping we can show you some of these shortly.

Finally I thought you would like to see these two grand birds, living close by. The heron is regularly at the park. There are at least four little egrets.

Have a good summer.