CBWG AGM April 25th 2018: Chairman’s Report
I would like to offer a big thank you to all the people
who have worked so hard and diligently on the reserve for Cromwell Bottom
Wildlife Group over the last twelve months. Volunteers continue to be the core
of everything we do and have achieved.
The last year has been a year to in which:
i.
Change has been encompassed.
2017 saw us become an incorporated charity, giving us
full charity status. I would like to thank Rosemary Wright for guiding us
through that complex procedure. The change of status involved has meant that
some of those who have been on the committee for time have chosen to step down
and not seek re-election as trustees of the new incorporated group. I would
like, on behalf of all the members, to thank them for their commitment and
service. In their different roles, Shelagh, Margaret, and Jane have helped
shape CBWG and take us forward. Though they will continuing to contribute, it
will now be in a different way.
- Long
held plans have been fulfilled.
Those of you who come down to the reserve on a regular
basis will have noticed we now have our Sand Martin Wall in place. Situated on
North Loop overlooking the river we hope it will provide nesting opportunities
for Sand Martins that visit the area in spring. As a group we are grateful to
the Ted Fort Foundation for the grant that made that possible.
Another long held aim of CBWG has been the erection of a Barn Owl box on North Loop. Though Barn Owls are not resident on the reserve we hope that one day they will be.
Another long held aim of CBWG has been the erection of a Barn Owl box on North Loop. Though Barn Owls are not resident on the reserve we hope that one day they will be.
A report commissioned by CMBC in 2005 highlighted the
need for some major work in the lagoon if it was to be preserved as a lagoon.
An important part of the suggested work was the removal of the scrub and trees
that had become established in the reed-bed, thereby preventing the natural
succession to woodland taking place. The last 12 months have seen us remove two
thirds of those trees and we hope to remove the remaining ones later in the
autumn.
- Disappointments
have been navigated.
At the end of last year’s chairman’s report I emphasised
the hope of a substantial grant from Veolia that would enable us to fulfil much
of what the 2005 report recommended regarding the bringing in of water and
other important steps to ensure the preservation of the lagoon.
This was not to be. The Veolia bid for the work we would
like to see done in the lagoon came to a frustrating end. CMBC then
incorporated much of that bid into one made through the CMBC and the Canal and
River Trust. Unfortunately, this too proved unsuccessful. As a Group we press
on, determined to conserve and manage the lagoon area for wildlife and people.
Working in partnership with CMBC, we have helped pay for an improved path down
by the river as far as the bund steps. This will enable people to walk down
that area, particularly in winter, without sinking into deep mud, making it a
more pleasant experience.
- Community
and educational engagement has been ongoing.
The cabin and its facilities continue to provide an
important community meeting space on the reserve. Open most Sunday’s it has
become a place to talk, share and enjoy refreshments before or after walking
around the reserve. The donations we receive from its use in this way provides
us with valuable funds. A big thank you for all the volunteers who are part of
the weekly rota.
It has been a year which has had a number of memorable
highlights, not least the successful annual Open Day we held in August 2017. It
was without doubt our best yet. Many thanks to David Langley for the organising
of the stalls and exhibits.
As a group we have continued to work with young people.
Working with a local scout group, giving guided walks, providing a learning
environment for students doing Duke of Edinburgh awards have been just some of
the ways we have worked with young people and families to help them engage with
nature and be involved in conservation.
The newsletter continues to educate and enlarge our
understanding of the reserve and the wildlife that we can see there. A big
thank you to Val and all the team for the outstanding work you do.
- Habitat
creation and management has continued.
The saying
continues to hold true. Establish the habitat and wildlife will move in. Over
the 12 months, we have planted over 1400 shrubs on North Loop. These have
consisted of, Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Hazel, Dog Rose and Guilder Rose.
Workdays, held on
the 2nd Saturday of every month and every Thursday continue to be
popular and productive. A big thankyou to all who have come and helped out on
these days, especially to Robin Dalton and David Langley for organising them.
These workdays also enable us to get on with the
management tasks that need to be done on a regular basis on the reserve.
Two of the big management tasks we do is the annual
cutting of the reeds in the lagoon and the grass on the two hay meadows. This
is hard work and usually takes place in late summer or early autumn. We have
opened up another pond near the canal towpath on the way to the lagoon. We have
built and put in place another 30 nest boxes, mainly for Blue Tits and Great
Tits. Many will be now have new occupants.
Discovering what wildlife is using the habitats we create
and manage on the reserve is for me, and I hope for you, as exciting as ever.
As group we want CBLNR to continue to be a great place for people and wildlife.
Thank you for all those helping that to be possible.
Allan Wolfenden April 25th 2018.
1 comment:
I would like to add that the winner of the Newsletter photo competition “A brush with nature” was Steve Midgley with a beautiful photo of a Fox. Congratulations Steve and thank you to everyone who submitted a picture. Val
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