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NEXT THAMES ROAD WETLAND HABITAT MANAGEMENT SESSION 16th OCTOBER, WITH THAMES21, plus UPDATEJoin us at this staff-supported event where we will have a van full of kit to equip new / less frequent volunteers. Book here: book.plinth.org.uk/e/0WCJmk9xkzaAmCNTk2TC
Due to a mechanical fault with our brushcutter (which, after being sent round the houses, had to be taken to Letchworth (!) for repair), we are somewhat behind, so could do with a good turnout in order to catch up with Reed cutting and removal. For the more energetic, there is plenty more Reed rootmat/silt to dig out too.
Thomas Turrell, Conservative Greater London Assembly Member for Bexley and Bromley, joined us unannounced at our 11/9 staffed event, and threw himself into helping clear out the road run-off trap and then Reed cutting along with 7 other volunteers. He confessed that he hadn't realised that we had Lizards in this country, but had taken an interest in one when abroad on holiday. I was pleased to show him a few of the 'locals', and he skillfully spotted a well-camouflaged individual himself. He has since been very helpful in getting Bexley Council to finally do something about the fly-tipping and arson attacks that have been going on up by the railway since mid July. Despite it being council land it has done nothing since we reported the matter on 17/7 and I still don't know why, or whether it has taken or intends to take any investigative action to identify the culprits. If it had bothered to put cameras out it may well have got them by now.
13 Lizards were seen on 11/9. There was a black and red Firebug, Hairy Shieldbugs on an old Burdock flower head and a Southern Green Shieldbug nymph.
A couple of Cetti's Warblers and a Water Rail were heard on 25/9. Migrant Hawkers and Darters were still about. A Thorn Apple plant that had come up in a pile of soil dumped by the entrance steps had opened a flower. There was a second flush of flowers on the small patch of Square-stemmed St. John's-wort at the west end.
2/10 saw a Kestrel hovering over the site and dropping down out of sight, while a Grey Heron flew over. A few Lizards were seen. There was a mating pair of Willow Emerald Damselflies.
Thanks to staff member Sam Dhedhi for photos.
CHRIS ROSE, VOLUNTEER SITE MANAGER
www.facebook.com/NWKCountryside/posts/pfbid0sQkBtXveV7AgCUDD3D6vgSM8J4vKs1isxaPLMieGFprt6NZKFYsm2...Ruxley Gravel Pits Nature Reserve. Upcoming habitat management sessions at this normally inaccessible (to the puloic) site that straddles the Bexley/Bromley border .............
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Slowing the flow - OXLEAS WOODS. With Thames21. Reducing run-off rates on Shooters Hill and making biodiversity improvements.Just over the border in Greenwich, so may be of interest to 'BW' followers.
15 events involving the construction of leaky dams to hold back water, and dead hedges in eroded areas to protect and encourage the recovery of the woodland understory.
29th and 30th Sept fully booked. You can opt to join a waiting list.
Places available at further events from Thursday 1st Oct through to 25th of March.
Led by Charlie Southard.
Advance booking essential (planning / event management / safety / sufficient equipment):
book.plinth.org.uk/e/9TPs7t51MkYdlQFqEbKm
Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Slowing the Flow: Oxleas Woods
book.plinth.org.uk
<p><strong>Join us to turn Oxleas Woods into a flood-fighting, biodiversity-boosting powerhouse!</strong></p><p><br></p><p>This winter, join us for 15 fun and hands-on volunteer events as we transform...
Climate Change Film. LESNES ABBEY RUINS LODGE. Weds November 11th 19.00-20.30After the drought and prolonged heat waves this year, the woods and all of us are grateful that we have had some rain.
Whether you believe that Climate Change is caused by human beings or just a natural phenomenon, one fact is undeniable - the planet is getting warmer.
We will be showing a film produced by the National Emergency Briefing that explains what is happening and what we can do to minimise its impact.
Tickets are Free and can be booked here. Note that it is not recommended for those under 16 but has a BBFC rating of 12+. Any children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
www.ticketsource.com/folaw/
NORTH WEST KENT COUNTRYSIDE PARTNERSHIP - habitat management sessions in Bexley during October.Wednesday 7th – Gattons Plantation Pond, Cocksure Lane, Sidcup
We will be clearing bramble and laurel and cutting down small trees around the pond along with removing non native snowberry plants that are growing along Cocksure Lane. Brushcutter operators maybe required for this task.
Led by: Nina Skinner (07816128553)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am, at the yard at Trosley Country Park or 10am if meeting on site. There is a small bay/passing area before the entrance gate to the site in which a few cars can park otherwise parking may need to be found along Cocksure Lane and other residential roads nearby.
maps.app.goo.gl/KLsPeRMYW2pJGgfn6
What3words parking spot: ///liver.blues.worked
What3words entrance: ///jump.cheek.wicked
Wednesday 28th – St Mary’s Churchyard, Manor Road, Bexley, DA5 3LX
We will be cutting the grass on site and raking. Brushcutter operators will be needed.
Led by: Lucy Sawyer-Boyd (07809334071)
Meeting Time and Place: 10am, at the churchyard (black gates at end of Manor Road). There is limited parking on site but parking usually ok in hall car park next door. There are no facilities on site but the toilet at the hall next door is often available.
goo.gl/maps/2Czb3X9qMs6KcPLg9
What3words: Meeting point = ///sheep.buzz.codes
Entrance gate = ///sushi.mole.washed
Just a quick reminder that any volunteers who plan to meet us on site should let the member of staff leading the task know as soon as possible so that they can pack the correct number of tools and inform them of any task changes/delays that may occur.
If there are any updates or changes with the programme, we will update it regularly on the volunteer page on our website (www.nwkcp.org ). We will also contact the regular volunteers by phone if any last-minute changes to the location of the task happen.
Please remember to bring with you; suitable clothes for the weather conditions, a packed lunch and suitable footwear (we insist working boots with steel toecap and mid sole are worn at all times to comply with health and safety and insurance considerations). We will supply all other equipment, gloves and safety equipment and also hot drinks and biscuits throughout the day.
Each project will be led by a NWKCP member of staff who will be more than happy to answer any questions that you have throughout the day. A health and safety talk will also be given at the beginning of each project. If you are planning to come out on a project for the first time this month then please let us know beforehand which day that will be.
We write a risk assessment for each task day, and a copy of this will be brought to the site and available for you to read if you wish.
Category Archives: Bexley Council
Erith Quarry – any further decisions on SINC status must be subject to public scrutiny
Erith Quarry, a Grade 1 Site of Importance for Nature Conservation in the Borough, is the subject on an impending planning application for up to 600 houses, which would see a substantial area of important grass and scrub-land disappear. In … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley Council, Consultations, Erith Quarry, SINC
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Open spaces sell-off: openness, Bexley Council and the ‘phantom list’ it now declines to make public
Bexley Council is consulting the public on a proposal to sell off up to 27 pieces of ‘open space’, as part of its attempt to make further significant budget cuts by 2018. But despite accepting that it will need to … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley Council, BNEF, Budget, Consultations, Environment, Housing targets, Land sales, Open spaces, Parks, Planning
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Meeting for anti-bridge campaigners
London Assembly member Darren Johnson AM (Green Party) will host a public meeting at City Hall on November 18th, starting at 9am for 9.30. To register your interest, please e-mail Rachel Carlill <Rachel.Carlill@london.gov.uk> and put ‘register’ in the subject line. … Continue reading
Posted in Belvedere, Bexley Council, Planning, River Thames, Thamesmead
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Bexley Council jacks housing-building numbers five-fold – with little regard for sustainability or transparency
Hands up who has noticed that the Council has increased the number of additional houses it thinks could (read should) be built in the Borough from 4,545 by 2026, with 438 of these in Belvedere, to 22,000, with 11,000 in … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley Council, BNEF, Erith Quarry, Housing targets, Planning, Sustainability, Thames bridges
Tagged House-building, Housing targets
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Meeting for anti-east London road bridge campaigners / Boris answers on river crossing matters
London Assembly member Darren Johnson AM (Green Party) will host a public meeting at City Hall on river crossings in November. To register your interest, please e-mail “Rachel Carlill” <Rachel.Carlill@london.gov.uk> and put ‘register’ in the subject line. Through this meeting … Continue reading
Posted in Belvedere, Bexley Council, BNEF, GLA, Planning, Sustainability, Thames bridges, Thamesmead
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The importance and management of heath and acid grassland – free lecture series
The placenames Bexleyheath, Northumberland Heath, Lessness Heath and road names such as Little Heath Road, Heath Way and Broomfield Road attest to the heathland heritage of large parts of the Borough of Bexley. Heather-dominated heath survives (with management) in Lesnes … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley Council, Heathland, SINC
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Thames bridges, traffic pollution and Bexley mortality
Public Health England, in a report published earlier this year, estimates an annual excess death rate in Bexley (based on 2010) caused by airborne particulate pollutants – much of which comes from road traffic – as 122, with 1,255 years … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley Council, Planning, Thames bridges
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FoCNR pressure improves Norman Road outlook – but major battles lie ahead
We have previously provided a partial report on the result of the Norman Road planning application. The following update has been written for the upcoming Friends of Crossness Nature Reserve newsletter, and contains the news that the developer has now … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley Council, BNEF, Crossness Nature Reserve, Planning
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BNEF viewpoints on budget and bridges
Bexley Natural Environment Forum has the following concerns and views on these matters. Chair Ray Gray said ‘We would urge other groups and individuals to make submissions on these issues, as they have major implications for the long-term quality of … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley Council, BNEF, Planning, Sustainability
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Norman Road planning decision.
Recently received the letter from the Council confirming the decision to allow the development at the former site in Norman Road, Belvedere. A number of us made objections to the planning application (see previous posts) and were disapointed that the … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley Council, Planning
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