Latest News on the Ridge
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
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.
|
