Latest News on the Ridge

Royal Wedding April 2011
Seven students from the City of Bristol College helped members of the Friends of Cock Road Ridge to clear brambles from the Orchard and then to plant a Williams Pear tree and a Katy Apple tree in celebration of the marriage of Prince William to Kate Middleton.

Bird Box Survey 2010
Our last bird box survey was carried out in November 2010. We were pleased to see that several boxes contained nests from which baby birds had successfully fledged. The woodpeckers have attacked many of the boxes in the past and again this year. We have started a programme of fitting metal plates with Great or Blue Tit holes in them around the entrances to the boxes in order to deter the woodpeckers from damaging the boxes and perhaps taking the chicks. More information is on our updated Bird Box Survey.

Spring Clean Day 2010
It's come around pretty fast, but here it is again. Its that perfect time to go around the Ridge and pick up rubbish left or blown onto the Ridge. We undertake it at this time of year because the trees and shrubs have not yet grown significant leaves and we can therefore see where the rubbish is, as well as more easily access it.

We make a general announcement, looking for volunteers to help with the task. As always, black bags and gloves will be provided, curtesy of the council and a number of rubbish pickers will be made available by some of the Friends.

Last year we didn't appear to get a single volunteer. We still managed, but it would be nice to see a new face or two occasionally. If you'd like to help us, even if it's for half-an-hour or so, we'd love to see you.

Meet on the Ridge on Saturday 27th March 2010, 10.30am by the pond/big oak tree.

Tree O'Clock
We will be taking part in Tree O'Clock on Saturday 5th December 2009 from 11am-12 noon helping to plant trees to contribute to the Guinness World Record for the most trees planted in one hour in multiple locations - all part of National Tree Week.

Bird Box Survey 2009
We continue to check our bird boxes regularly and the last survey was carried out on 14th November 2009. There were abandoned eggs in some nests, possibly because the mild weather had induced the parents to lay another brood too late in the season to allow the chicks sufficient time to develop and hatch. However, we were pleased to see that nine other boxes contained nests indicating that many new bird families had successfully fledged. More information is on our updated Bird Box Survey.

Spring Clean Day 2009
Spring is the perfect time to go around the Ridge and pick up rubbish. This is principally because the greenery has not quite taken off and we can see and access a lot of places where rubbish has accumulated or been thrown.

So we generally announce it as well as place posters on the Ridge and surrounding areas looking for volunteers to help with the task. As always, black bags and gloves were provided by the council and a number of pickers made available by some of the Friends.

This year was a bit disappointing as we didn't appear to get a single volunteer. Nevertheless, we all had a successful day and brought back numerous black bags of rubbish that had been collected from all over the Ridge. The general consensus was that there seemed to be less rubbish around than on previous years.

This may partly be attributed to the fact that some volunteers are 'year-round' and pick up rubbish as they walk their dogs or are just passing. So it's a good place to acknowledge their work and help - you know who you are. Thanks guys!

Forest of Avon Sculpture Project
It's been a long time coming. Inclement weather and various other factors have held up the delivery, but it's very much here now and has a significant presence on the Ridge. See the photos of the Forest of Avon sculpture if you haven't had a chance to visit it yet. Use the forum to let us know what you thought of the sculpture.

A White Ridge
February 2009 brought the UK's first real bout of snow for many years. See the snow pics page for what took place. Please be aware that the page may take a while to load if you have a slow Internet connection.

New Ridge Signs!
On 24th November 2007 we installed the first of three signs on the Ridge. These signs show a map of the Ridge, places of interest and various birds, animals, insects and plants that can be found there. See the first sign page for pictures.

Bird Box Survey
On 28th January 2006 we spent our workday carrying out a survey of the bird boxes installed on Cock Road Ridge. We were delighted to find that most of the boxes had been used. See our Bird Box Survey page for the results.

BT Award
BT awards Cock Road Ridge Friends a cheque for £350 to support activities.

Our Chairman, Bob Seddon, as a BT employee, applied for a BT Community Champions Award, which could be up to £500 towards a community project. BT distributes about 12 of these awards each year and Bob was proud to announce that the Friends have now received one for £350.

Click the photo or this link for more details.

Elderflower Champagne
Just in from one of our members, Peter Gulliford - how to make Champagne from a common growing plant. You can get recipe details on making Elderflower Champagne here.

Swimming Pool
Grainne Stables, Leisure Projects Officer contacted the group to draw our attention to the planning application for the new leisure centre in Longwell Green, next to the Community Garden. Grainne said that one of the key aspects of this development is a sensitive quality landscaping scheme which will enhance the local area. She said that the council had appointed Grants Associates as Landscape Architects and that she wanted the Friends of Cock Road Ridge to become involved from the start and liaise with the landscape architects re plantings in the grounds.

Grant
Oldland Parish Council has donated £200.00 to our group.

Donation
Wessex Water has donated £2500.00 to the Friends of Cock Road Ridge. This money will be used by BTCV on our behalf. This is a generous donation by Wessex Water and we thank them for recognizing the valuable work we do on behalf of the community and wildlife. The Chairman of the Friends went to Bath on Monday the 19th January 2004 together with our past Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary to accept the cheque for £2500.00. It was presented to our Chairman by David Bellamy.

RMC Chips in...
Ready Mixed Concrete (RMC) has kindly donated 5 ton of chippings and a further 5 ton is availabe for the Friends to use when required. Five tons has been collected from RMC and placed down on top of a muddy part of the Ridge and this has made the area more accessible.

Community Award
Peter Gulliford was nominated by our group for a Community Award and was chosen as one of the winners of the award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the South Gloucestershire community as a volunteer. Peter attended an Awards Cermony at Tortworth Court on Friday 5th March 2004 and was presented with his award. A photograph of Peter receiving his award from Councillor Sue Walker and David Swire of SITA is shown right.