the pocketeer - wordpress.com
TRANSCRIPT
2 | T h e P o c k e t e e r – A u t u m n & W i n t e r 2 0 1 1
Editorial
Welcome to the Autumn & Winter edition of the Pocketeer
The Pocket Park consultation has now come to an end and huge 407 people took part. This consultation asked residents of Northamptonshire to give their views on the Pocket Park scheme. The results will be used to inform the County council's budget setting process for 2012-13. Read the results on p8.
The Pocket Parks scheme has continued its partnership with Plantlife this year delivering training to volunteers and primary school teachers across the county. See p 7.
In recent years, research has proved that quality parks and green spaces play a vital role within local communities. They are assets contributing to the local environment, the local economy, individual‟s health and well-being, and in bringing the community together so it is great news that four of our Pocket Parks have been nationally recognised as providing high quality green space by winning the Green Flag Community Award this year. To find out more see p 3 & p 15 – 16.
I am really pleased to welcome a new Pocket Park joining the scheme in Stanwick. See p 3.
Keep enjoying your local Pocket Parks this Autumn & Winter!
Thank you for your valuable work and support.
Rose Little
Northamptonshire County Council has been working in partnership with local communities for 28 years to help establish Pocket Parks across the county. Pocket Parks are helping to protect and conserve local wildlife, heritage and landscape – caring for the countryside on our doorsteps.
Website: www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/pocketparks
E-mail: [email protected] Tel. No. 01604 237 222
Find us on Facebook!
Cover photo by Margaret Barton
3 | T h e P o c k e t e e r – A u t u m n & W i n t e r 2 0 1 1
Content
News p2 - 7
Pocket Park Consultation results p8
Using Social Media p9
Wildlife Surveys to take part in p10-11
Hedgehog Street p12
News
New Pocket Park – Stanwick
The group have been working very hard over the past year and have just found out they have been successful in receiving £30,000 from GrantScape Community Greenspace Challenge to create a new wildflower meadow and pond network amongst other things.
As well as greatly enhancing the local community‟s overall enjoyment of the area, the transformed site will provide an important educational area for local schoolchildren. Work will start in February 2012.
Green flag community awards
Congratulations to the four Pocket Parks who have won the Green Flag Community Award 2011/12 they are Little Billing, Great Houghton, Kingsthorpe New Churchyard and Hartwell who have won for the first time!
Figure 1Children playing at Hartwell Pocket Park (J. Richards)
Funding and Awards p13-15
Kew native flower project p15
A closer look at......Rectory Farm p16
Pocket Park contacts p17
details -
4 | T h e P o c k e t e e r – A u t u m n & W i n t e r 2 0 1 1
Sulgrave
After receiving £50,000 from Community Spaces, Sulgrave have transformed their Pocket Park. Sulgrave was one of the early Pocket Parks created in 1988 and the play equipment was looking a bit tired. The park now has super new play equipment, a new pond network with dipping platform, loads of new seating and a path making it easy for everyone to access the pond, there is even a covered area with seating for parents to sit and read whilst the children play!
Figure 2 Open Day 2nd July
Broughton
As a Lent project St Andrews church offered a hand to help in the Pocket Park. The pond has become very overgrown with grass and reeds and some management was needed. We spent a good morning clearing out the pond. With thanks to Revd Brian Withington and his church.
Figure 3 Work party at Broughton
5 | T h e P o c k e t e e r – A u t u m n & W i n t e r 2 0 1 1
Little Billing
After receiving grants from the BIG lottery and Northamptonshire Community Foundation work is now underway. The community orchard has been planted, tree work has been completed and plans are under way for some new footpaths along the river.
Figure 4 Community Orchard
Dog Kennel Spinney
A new group has formed at DKS and they have been really busy this year creating glades clearing out the congested stream, litter picking, and keeping the paths accessible and putting up a new sign.
Cogenhoe
Cogenhoe took part in Love Parks Week by holding a creative photography workshop lead by a professional artist.
The competition was open to adults and children with prizes donated by Northamptonshire University Bookshop. To see the entries please click here
Figure 5 Ladybird on seed head (J. Badcock)
6 | T h e P o c k e t e e r – A u t u m n & W i n t e r 2 0 1 1
Pocket Parks feature in White Paper
The Natural Environment White Paper published by the government in June 2011 highlights the importance of our green spaces and the benefits our natural environment has to us all. Pocket Parks were used as an example on p 50 please click here
Summer Sortie 2011
On 6th August 16 of us met, for the annual Summer Sortie. We started at Hartwell, with coffee and cake kindly supplied by the group.
All of the parks were looking great and it was interesting to hear about the different stages everyone is at; from Hartwell who have just won the Greens Flag and been open for four years, to Greens Norton approaching its 30th birthday! It was nice to see the pond at Deanshanger looking so nice and to see the 1000 trees that have recently been planted. At Syresham we heard about plans to create a pond, and to saw how the central grass area is coming along and walked along the newly barked paths in the woodland trail.
With special thanks to all of the host Pocket Park volunteers for showing us around. Thank you to everyone who came along for the day.
Figure 7 Deanshanger(J. Richards)
Figure 8 Greens Norton (J. Richards)
Figure 9 Syresham (J. Richards)
Figure 6 Coffee & Cake at Hartwell (R. Martin)
7 | T h e P o c k e t e e r – A u t u m n & W i n t e r 2 0 1 1
Plantlife training event report spring 2011
NCC continues to work in partnership with Plantlife.
Engaging Nature Workshop - using green spaces for learning
12 schools and 13 teachers form Northamptonshire attended this training event. It was a great day lead by Felicity Harris form Plantlife, full of inspiring ideas to use in Pocket Parks all tailored to fit into the National Curriculum
“This was an excellent course. It has inspired me to take (the rest of) the school with me in this learning journey.”
“I have been really inspired by today’s course ideas and I will definitely be taking theses back into school to share with staff and do more outside things with the children.”
“Brilliant day; full of fab ideas and activities that we can really use in school. Looking forward to sharing in school.”
Wild Flowers Count
Sue Southway from Plantlife showed a small group of us how to take part in the wild flower count national survey. Wildflowers Count is the UK‟s only annual national wild plant survey.
To find out more about Plantlife please visit the website
Dates for your diary
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee- Your Pocket Park or Parish Council may want to commemorate this occasion by planting a tree or holding an event. The official Jubilee Weekend is 2nd -5th June 2012.
Winter Solstices 21 December - Celebrate midwinter‟s day with a guided walk around your Pocket Park.
Figure 10 Teachers taking part in the Engaging Nature Workshop
8 | T h e P o c k e t e e r – A u t u m n & W i n t e r 2 0 1 1
Pocket Park Consultation Results
The public consultation ran from 4th July –26th August 2011.
407 people took part.
This consultation asked residents of Northamptonshire to give their views on the Pocket Park scheme. The results will now be used to inform the County council's budget setting process for 2012-13.
89% of respondents strongly agree or agree that the Pocket Park scheme provides value for money.
89% of respondents said that ongoing support for the Pocket Park officer in helping sustain their group was very or fairly important.
To read the full consultation report please click here
“On a low income using the
Pocket Park is free and it
helps my health and
wellbeing. My asthma is
much improved and I’ve lost
weight”
“They are breathing
spaces in our dirty,
overcrowded town and
cities. They are
desperately important”
“I have always considered
Pocket Parks one of the best
things pioneered and
sustained by NCC. Let’s
continue!”
88% of respondents said that support from the Pocket Park Officer when setting up their Pocket Park was very or fairly important.
58% of respondents are fairly likely or very likely to seek support in the next five years from the Pocket Park officer to establish a Pocket Park in their area.
92% of respondents thought that Pocket Parks are very important or fairly important to their local area.
“The Pocket Park scheme is
of great value and should
not be subjected to any
budget reductions”
88% of respondents said that support from the Pocket Park Officer when setting up their Pocket Park was very or fairly important.
72% of respondents would like to see more Pocket Parks in their local area.
9 | T h e P o c k e t e e r – A u t u m n & W i n t e r 2 0 1 1
Figure 11 screen shot of Broughton Pocket Park website
Using Social Media – and free websites
Using social media is one way to advertise your Pocket Park and the services you provide (wildflower meadow, play equipment etc) it is a way you can update people about what is happing in your Pocket Park such as events you are running and work party days, and it‟s all for FREE!
There are lots of different ways of communicating through social media you could use Facebook, Twitter, a Blog, or set up a website.
Websites to set up your free Pocket Park website. WordPress Weebly voice
Visit the Green Space blog for more information
Lots of Pocket Park groups are already using these forms of communication; take a look below at a few of them.
Boughton have a website please click here and they also use Facebook please click here
Broughton have a website please click here
Deanshanger have website please click here
Higham Ferrers use Facebook please click here
Obelisk Spinney has a website and use Twitter please click here
Rectory Farm has a Blog please click here
Find Pocket Parks on Facebook!
10 | T h e P o c k e t e e r – A u t u m n & W i n t e r 2 0 1 1
Surveys
OPAL Bugs Count - join in the nationwide bug hunt
Do you know what bugs are living near you? Count and discover the incredible variety of invertebrates that make their home around us. Find as many bugs as you can in our timed challenges and keep a special eye out for the six Species Quest bugs.
Your findings will help scientists learn more about the distribution of invertebrates across the country and how the urban environment may be affecting them.
Download and print the documents or send your name and postal address to
OPAL Metal Survey
Is your local lake or pond suffering from metal pollution?
Join in the OPAL metals survey and help us learn more about metal contamination in lakes and ponds across England. Taking part is easy. Just collect a small mud sample from your local pond and send it to the OPAL Water team. We'll then analyse your sample for the presence of metals.
Please contact Rose Little for freepost sample packs – contact details page 2
Figure 12 Green Shield bug
11 | T h e P o c k e t e e r – A u t u m n & W i n t e r 2 0 1 1
Take part in the urban tree survey
The urban tree survey looks at the most
common groups of trees. “We want to get
as much information on the number,
species and location of urban trees as
possible”
We know relatively little about trees in the
urban environment. Information collected
in this project will allow the Natural History
Museum and other research organisations
to gain a better insight into:
•the make-up of the UK‟s urban forest and
what tree species it contains
•which urban species are native to the UK
and which have been introduced from
other countries
•regional differences in what trees grow
where
•the biodiversity of the wildlife in urban
areas living on or supported by trees
•how tree populations have changed over
time, as a result of urban planning or
garden fashions
•how changes in the climate might affect
what trees grow where, when they flower
and produce fruit
To download the survey visit the website
12 | T h e P o c k e t e e r – A u t u m n & W i n t e r 2 0 1 1
Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs have declined by a quarter over the past decade and they urgently need help.
About Hedgehogs The European
hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus)
belongs to the group of mammals called
Eulipotyphla, which includes moles and
shrews.
Why are they disappearing? The
reasons aren‟t clear but more intensive agriculture – with larger fields
and the loss hedgerows and permanent grassland – is likely to have
played a role. The use of
pesticides too will reduce the
amount of prey available.
Hedgehog Street We are
asking people to become
Hedgehog Champions to rally
support from their neighbours
and work together to create
ideal hedgehog habitat
throughout their street, estate,
communal grounds and parks
Link your garden and parks
Hedgehogs travel around one mile every night through our parks and
gardens in their quest to find food and a mate. If you have an enclosed
garden you might be getting in the way of their plans. Making a hole in
your fence or wall, could really help hedgehog passage.
To find out more about hedgehogs, how you can help them and become
a hedgehog champion please visit the website
Figure 13 Hedgehog in leaf litter (K. Brown)
13 | T h e P o c k e t e e r – A u t u m n & W i n t e r 2 0 1 1
Funding and Awards
BIG Tree Plant
The big tree plant is a campaign to encourage people and communities to plant more trees in England. It is a partnership bringing together national tree planting organisations and local groups working with DEFRA and the Forestry Commission to plant trees throughout England. Visit the website
Woodland Trust
The Woodland Trust has a range of free tree packs available to schools, youth groups and communities.
Apply now to receive a free community tree planting pack to plant in spring / autumn 2012
Individual trees, small copses, traditional hedgerows and woodland are invaluable features of thriving neighbourhoods in our villages, towns and cities.
Tree packs come in two sizes:
105 trees ideal for planting either in small groups of trees or as a hedge (approx 30m) 420 trees create a long hedge (approx 120m), or divide up and plant at different sites. If planted as a block of trees, there is sufficient for approximately one acre of land. Visit the website
14 | T h e P o c k e t e e r – A u t u m n & W i n t e r 2 0 1 1
Northamptonshire Community Foundation
1. General Grants Programme:
Our general grants programme intends to benefit the whole community and fund a wide range of project including:
Community events and activities
Small scale training, rental and staffing costs
Small and large pieces of equipment
Support groups, residents associations, sports and arts clubs 2. High Sheriff‟s Initiative Fund:
The High Sheriff‟s Initiative encourages the development of projects which bring young people closer to their communities to create a more cohesive society.
Grants of up to £2,500 are available. Your total budget for the project you are applying for cannot be more than £20,000
3. Midcounties Community Co-operative Fund:
The fund is keen to receive applications from voluntary/community organisations that are able to demonstrate that their project will build their capacity and bring benefit to the local community and in doing so meet at least one of the criteria listed below:
Encourage community responsibility
Develop community capacity
Demonstrate Co-operative Values
Grants are up to a maximum of £2,000 and groups are advised only to apply for the amount they need to purchase an item of equipment or to fund a project.
15 | T h e P o c k e t e e r – A u t u m n & W i n t e r 2 0 1 1
4. Northamptonshire County Council Small Grants Programme:
The small grants programme will offer individual grants of £500 to £5000 for one-off type costs that must have match funding of at least 25% of the overall cost of the project.
5. Northamptonshire 100 Fund:
Northamptonshire 100 was launched in May 2010 and its aim is to bring 100 like minded businesses and individuals together into a „circle of giving‟.
We wish to fund small projects – we will offer grants of up to £1,000. Your total budget for the project you are applying for cannot be more than £20,000.
For full details of all of these grants visit the website
For further information contact Grants Director Rachel McGrath on 01604 230033 or email: [email protected]
Green Flag Community Award®
With four Pocket Parks winning the GFCA this year it‟s a great achievement. But so many more Pocket Parks could also win this prestigious award.
Green Flag Community Award®
Assessment Criteria
Each Community Award® application will be judged on its own merit by
an independent judge. Judges score each green space against a
detailed checklist based on the following criteria:
Welcoming place first impressions are all too important and the site
should look inviting. Issues that must be considered are:
Good and safe access, Welcoming, Signage, and equal access for all.
The site should be freely access to the public.
16 | T h e P o c k e t e e r – A u t u m n & W i n t e r 2 0 1 1
Healthy, safe and secure It is of paramount importance that the site is
safe. Issues such as: personal security, safe equipment and facilities,
appropriate level of facilities and dog fouling must be considered
Clean and well maintained There should be an appropriate standard of
maintenance throughout the site and effective management skills to
combat issues including: litter and waste management, overall standard
of maintenance including graffiti and vandalism.
Sustainability Judges will examine environmental issues such as peat
and pesticide use, sustainable material use and waste minimisation.
Biodiversity and heritage Each green space is unique and has its own
character. The judges will be identifying the nature of conservation and
historic feature value of the site, and what measures have been taken up
to increase this where appropriate.
Community involvement This is a key criterion for the Green Flag
Community Award® as it looks to how well the site relates and
encompasses the local and wider community.
Management/Achievements Here, judges will be looking at what you
have achieved, not only in terms of managing the green space, but also
what funding and resources you have secured and how you have used
them. How creative and innovative you have been with projects on your
site will also be of interest here.
To apply for an award for the first time, email your interest to:
[email protected] or telephone 01942 612612.
If you would like some help with your application or seeing if your park could potentially win please contact Rose Little.
17 | T h e P o c k e t e e r – A u t u m n & W i n t e r 2 0 1 1
Kew launches native flowers project
Grasslands are a precious but vanishing habitat. Fragments survive in areas that have not been ploughed, re-seeded or heavily fertilised. They contain a diverse range of plants which in turn support a variety of insects, birds and other animals. Compared to the 1930s, only 2% of species-rich grasslands remain, and the potential for restoring these attractive habitats is immense.
Samples from these stocks will be made available to commercial seed companies for bulking up for use by conservation organisations in landscape-scale restoration projects. Seed can be highly effective for increasing the species diversity in a restoration project.
Funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, with a gift of £750,000 as part of their 50th anniversary celebrations, the money will establish the project over four years. The UK Native Seed Hub will comprise a dedicated seed store, and approximately one hectare of seed production beds, which are currently being developed. To read the full story please click here
UK Native Seed Hub aims are:
To increase the quality, quantity and diversity of UK native plants and seeds available to conservation organisations and others involved in habitat restoration projects to enhance UK biodiversity.
To support UK Native seed producers and conservation agencies through the provision of high quality seed stocks, information and advice.
To develop research into improved nursery and plant production techniques for UK native plants.
Figure 14 Olney Meadow Silverstone Pocket Park
18 | T h e P o c k e t e e r – A u t u m n & W i n t e r 2 0 1 1
A closer look at ........Rectory Farm Pocket Park
Rectory Farm Pocket Park forms the northerly part of Ecton Brook Linear Park. It contains varied habitats including a stream, pond, marsh and
wet woodland as well as scrub and grassland. Over the years the area had become somewhat neglected and in 2003 it became a Pocket Park under a twenty year management agreement with Northampton Borough Council.
During the first couple of years the group obtained a Local Network Fund grant, to fund children‟s wildlife activities, then an Award for
All grant which funded a Pond Dipping platform, new seats and also wildflowers and shrubs. Subsequently, tons of rubbish has been cleared and events have included bat walks, a moth night, willow weaving and a herb walk.
Areas of the park have always become very muddy in the winter, and in 2010 the group obtained a Community Spaces grant to fund new paths in the park enabling the whole length to be accessible all the year round and on the third of September 2011, local residents gathered with some of the BTCV volunteers who had helped to construct the paths to see the Mayor of Northampton Jamie Lane
and Cllr David Mackintosh open the paths and have some fun pond dipping, badge making, bouncing on the castle and visiting the cake stall.
Since the new paths have been built, the increase in use by walkers, joggers, wheelchair users and baby buggies has been quite marked.
Next year the group look forward to more children‟s activities funded by the Community Spaces grant and the opportunity to obtain some more bulbs, equipment and training.
Anne Ward – Rectory Farm Pocket Park Coordinator
Figure 15 New Paths (A. Ward)
Figure 16 Path opening event (Ward)
19 | T h e P o c k e t e e r – A u t u m n & W i n t e r 2 0 1 1
Pocket Park Contacts- Autumn & Winter 2011
Aldwincle John Foster 01832 720 238
Aston-le-walls Sue Ball 01295 660 489
Barton Seagrave Louis Bonel 07721 053 257
Blakesley Janet Clark 01327 860 461
Boughton Charlotte Mackaness 01604 842 311
Boughton Lane Peter Nalder 01604 630 719
Brackley Sue Crouch 01280 702 441
Braunston Pat Herlihy 01788 890 590
Brigstock Nigel Searle 01536 373 672
Brixworth Alison Kimbell 01604 882 139
Broughton Rebecca profit 01536 799339 broughtonpocket [email protected]
Burton Latimer Maureen Jerram 01536 725524
Byfield Emma Marsh 01327 262318
Chapel Brampton Derek Bland 01604 842 238
Cogenhoe Sue Carverhill 01604 891 512
Collyweston Shelagh Busby 01780 444 607
Cottingham Chris Owen 01536 771 127
Cranford David Iversen 01832 730881
Crick Keith Liggins 01788 822 781
Croughton Trevor Davies 01869 810 704
C. Old Allotments Jean Coles 01869 810 473
Deanshanger Alan Dott 01908 564 725
Desborough Dennis Ainge 01536 763 423
Dog Kennel Spinney John Grewcock 01536 519 872
Earls Barton Rosemary Smart 01604 812 850
Easton on the Hill Pauline Bradbury 01780 755 262
Evenley Merrick Loggin 01280 702 725
Finedon Emma Baker 01933 398 967
The Grange Pete Walker 01536 517 494
Great Billing Chris Campling 01604 785447
Great Houghton Julie Joy 01604 769 969
Greens Norton Mike Potter 01327 350 520
Gretton Bob Dobson 01536 770 734
Hackleton Pam Heap 01604 870 018
Hannington Julie Friell Julie.p.friell @btinternet.com
Hartwell Derek Hawley 01604 863169 info@hartwell pocketpark.co.uk
Higham Ferrers Richard Gell 01933 359 237
Hollowell Barry Wenden 07740 719 881
Kett. Gen. Hospital Maureen Groom 01933 680629
King’s Cliff x 2 Hilary Blunt 01780 470 799
Kingsthorpe Peter Gasson 01604 712 973
Little Billing Michael Clasper 01604 786 240
Long Buckby Mike Ivens 01327 843 885
Lowick Phoebe Edwards [email protected]
Moulton Jane Austin 01604 492 318
Nassington Yvonne Banke 01780 782 841
Obelisk Spinney Steve Campbell 01604 820735
Old Stratford Derek Everett 01908 569 053
Oundle x2 George Higgins TBC
Raunds Julie Barke 01933 624 467
Ravensthorpe Cliff Giles 01604 770 451
Rectory Farm Anne Ward 01604 786 991
Ringstead Kathryn du Boulay 01933 461 432
Rothwell Carolyn MacKay 01536 711 086
Rushton Jackie Hands 01536 711 478
Silver. Brickle Ivor Floyd 01327 858 499
S. Olney Meadow Margaret Holland 01327 857328
Spring Boroughs Joe Joyce 07768 982 637
Stanion Gordon Wallace 01536 205 529
Stoke Albany Julia Routen 01858 535 504
Sulgrave Jane Osbourne 07879 624 375
Syresham Dot Dunkley 01280 850 626
Thurning Derek Capp 01832 293 330
Tiffield M.Greenaway-Rowe 01327 352 638
Towcester Nicki Wilson 01327 351 466
Walgrave Alicia Schofield 01604 780 192
Warmington x2 Derek Rowell 01832 280 473
Weldon John Hayward 01536 201 068
Wellingborough Julie Knighton 01933 226 720
Welford Phyllis Hayhurst 01858 575 284
West Haddon Jane Ellis 01788 511052
Wilson’s Wood John Smith 01604 696 228
Wollaston Jane Woods 01933 665010
Wootton Jayne Saunders 01604 705 055
Yardley Gobion TBC 01604 237 222
Yardley Hastings Malcolm Saw 01604 696 858
Yelvertoft Joanna Gamble 01788 823 982
20 | T h e P o c k e t e e r – A u t u m n & W i n t e r 2 0 1 1
In Partnership with and supported by:
Borough Council of Wellingborough
Corby Borough Council
Daventry District Council
East Northamptonshire Council
Kettering Borough Council
Northampton Borough Council
Northamptonshire Association of Local Councils
Plantlife
River Nene Regional Park
South Northamptonshire Council
Wildlife Trust Northamptonshire
Contact: Pocket Parks Office on 01604 237 222
E-mail: [email protected]
website: www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/pocketparks
This information can be made available in other languages and
formats upon request, such as large print, Braille and CD. For more
help and information contact: 01604 237 227.