Spring is here, and with it comes more confirmation that Wymondham’s greening activities are being appreciated further afield. Greening Wymondham has won a grant from Groundwork UK to buy more equipment, which will help us map and illustrate what we’re doing – from our river testing to sightings of hedgehogs, voles and otters. It’ll help us and other bodies target all our efforts.
Our second piece of good news is that Moot Hill’s County Wildlife Site has been extended to include most of Ketts Park Wood, following a survey by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. This is a tribute to the work of our many volunteers who have helped us to manage the Wood over several years, supported by the Town Council and Norwich Fringe Project. Recent work by the Archaeological Trust to put up security fencing at Moot Hill needed heavy machinery, which unfortunately caused some damage to the footpath through the wood, but this is being put right by the contractors. Work at the Wood has now ended until the autumn to avoid disturbance to nesting birds.
However, work continues at Browick Community Orchard, and at Friarscroft, where we have planted a new orchard, and are weaving new dead-hedging. By the time that you read this, we hope to have finished the pontoon on the pond, which we hope to open initially for pond-dipping groups and group observations. We managed to lift the frogspawn to safety before the diggers went in, which will go back once the silt has settled.
We organised the Big Wymondham Spring Clean litter pick on 21st March, in conjunction with The Big South Norfolk Litter Pick and Keep Britain Tidy's Great British Spring Clean Litter Pick. Thanks to all our helpers, Our Tree Group are preparing a “Tree Trail” featuring notable trees in the town.
Our tech boffin has also added a diary to our website at greeningwymondham.org. So now, if you go to the Events section, you can look at it by week, month or schedule – and pop along to join in or just say hello.
The next stage in the Rothbury Park make-over will be on Saturday April 11th, from 10am to 4pm. Tools are provided, but please bring your favourite spade or trowel. We'll be planting shrubs, perennials, herbs and bulbs in pre-dug borders and in planters. Refreshments provided by Waitrose!
A lot is going on in Wymondham that day, but if you can spare an hour or two, you'll be very welcome.
