Page 40 - link magazine

36 swindonlink.com • July 2009
Guerilla gardener sees Chance for Eco-water treatment beds
bluebells blossom children to discover ready for September
John Ball, from Grange Park, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust runs a A major ecological tourist attraction is taking shape at Shaw Forest
who aims to cover Swindon in Swindon based group for under and should be ready by the end of September.
wildflowers, set out to create a 12s to help them become more A network of shallow read beds will filter contaminated water run-
bluebell wood on Shaw Ridge aware of the environment and ning off the forest park before it enters the River Ray. A footpath which
four years ago. wildlife around them, with advice was closed to the public in April is being reinstated to run between the
His planting is starting to show and guidance from experts. ponds so that walkers will be able to spot the wide range of wildlife that
results with drifts of flowers within Sessions after school or at week- will be attracted over the next few years.
the tree planting belt on the ridge, ends include pond dipping, nature • The River Ray Parkway cycle route next to the park which had to be
close to the DeVere Hotel. walks, making bird feeders and closed for emergency engineering work after a landslip, as reported in
Look out for them next Spring.
other practical activities the June Link, was resurfaced and reopened in the middle of June.
The group meet once a month in Site nrnnn;er Bob Fisher, right, showing rnr1:i I Exists around the beds and Shaw
different locations. Coming up: Forest Park in early June
Saturday 18 July: Stanton Park
Rangers Cottage.
An action packed walk around the
park with environmental games
designed to explore and discover
what lives there;
Saturday 15 August: Coate Water
Rangers Cottage.
Bird watching for heron and
kingfisher. Don't forget your bin-
oculars.
For details and to book a place,
call Sarah Wood on 01380 725670 ext
272ormail: sarahw@wiltshirewild-
life.org
Winners of Wiltshire Teashop
Walks competition in the June Newt story clarification
Link
We incorrectly suggested in the June Link that building the £12,000 pond at Peatmoor Primary School was
Lynda Thompson from Eastleaze;
delayed whilst a license was obtained to search for great crested newts.
David Stewart, Redhouse; Teresa
Clerck, Sparcells; Anne Mackiewicz, Neil Pullen, Swindon Wildlife Officer at Wilt-
Toothill; T Matthews, Haydon Wick shire Wildlife Trust, says this was not the case.
y
'The school asked for advice after somebod had
told them that great crested newts were present.
We searched the pond and the records held at the
Swindon and Wiltshire Biological Records Centre
and found no great crested newts.
LANDSCAPE SERVICES ' We suggested that they proceed on the basis of
www.horticare.co.uk a'precautionary principle,' that there may be great
crested newts. We then wrote a method statement
* Patios * Ponds for them to follow. No license was required.
* Turfing * Fencing 'Wiltshire Wildlife Trust provided this service
free of charge and received none of the £12,000
* Garden maintenance mentioned in the story. In addition WWT staff
* Garden design have provided further advice, been present at
planting days and attended the school on 10
* Decking * Pergolas June for a hunt of smooth newts. Again all free
ALL WORK GUARANTEED of charge.'
• The £12,000 pond refurbishment was met by Neil Pullen, left, with Anne Snelgrove MP and last dear's mayor
school fundraising, grants and sponsorship includ- of Swindon Steve Wokefied launching the new pond with Peatnioor
ing £5,000 from Legal and General. pupils. Photo: Robert Slade

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