In last Autumn’s newsletter I requested that all sightings of red or grey squirrels be reported to the rangers as part of the regional effort to save the reds from extinction. This September’s BBC Wildlife magazine (vol 24, number 9) controversially suggests it may well be a better use of scarce UK wildlife resources, to give up the battle and concentrate funds instead on a more winnable fight. The article’s author, Bristol University mammal expert Professor Stephen Harris, makes a convincing case for red squirrel sanctuaries on islands - Isle of Wight, Brownsea, Anglesey (currently containing greys which would need eradicating) and Arran - and abandoning the mainland to the inevitable. In the future if such a time ever came that greys no longer existed in Britain, then reds could again (the current population was re-introduced in the second half of the 1800s) be easily re-introduced from the continent. Definitely an idea worth thinking about.
As many Friends may be aware, unfortunately the staffing reorganisation of the city ranger posts and duties has still not been resolved, resulting in increased pressure for those employees still working. At the time of going to press the outcome of the Heritage Lottery bid for the Ouseburn Parks is also not known, but presumably the result will also have a bearing on staffing. It is a pity there have been so many delays in the whole process, while requests from the public re the Dene and Pets’ Corner improvements remain in suspension.
WEDNESDAY 29 November, 2006, Millfield House, Jesmond Dene, 7.30 pm
Entertainment by Vivace! (returning due to popular request), wine and mince pies – by ticket only
Since the last newsletter we have seen some changes in the Ranger Service. In January we were told there would be cuts in the Ranger Service. We have now seen those take place. The weekend Rangers were given three months notice of redundancy in April and finished at the end of July. Other staff have also left and at present their posts remain vacant; the intention is to fill them after a review of the Parks and Countryside Department, which we hope will be implemented by the new year.
The vacant ranger posts has meant that the Jesmond Rangers have taken on patrolling additional sites at Big Waters, Havannah and Three Hills - all three sites are on the northern edge of the City. This unfortunately has impacted on the opening of the information room and is likely to do so for the foreseeable future. At present we are aiming to have it open every Sunday, but Saturday opening is more limited.
The volunteers have been very busy as usual; the Mill Project is coming along very well and should be completed before the end of the year. We’ve also spent a lot of time cleaning sections of the river and the wishing pond, next to Fisherman’s Lodge. Starting in September we plan to make a concerted effort on cleaning out the river again, this time starting behind Pets’ Corner and working upstream, so covering the bit we omitted last year.
Paddy Freeman’s park is the latest new winner of a prestigious national Green Flag award in which the Civic Trust (on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister) rewards the best parks and green spaces in the UK. Other Newcastle winners include Leazes Park, Nunsmoor Park, Benwell Nature Park and Gosforth Central. It’s hoped this award may help the Heritage Lottery fund bid for almost £5 million for the whole Ouseburn Parks. If the bid is successful the city council have pledged another £1.6 million of restoration money. The bid outcome will be announced in late September.
As with this youthful theatre companies’ previous visits to the Dene, two productions of a very high standard were again presented - Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest. The plays were very well supported and the weather for once stayed fine throughout. If the company return again to the Dene next July, be sure to mark it in your diary – unmissable!
In less than a year since the September 2005 grand opening, Jesmond Dene House (www.jesmonddenehouse.co.uk) has been named the best hotel in Newcastle by the AA hotel guide, where it received a four-star rating. The 40-bedroom hotel’s grounds and bathrooms were especially praised and the restaurant was awarded two rosettes, while the hotel had an overall merit score of 83%.
With the aim to start re-stocking with animals - sheep, pigs, goats and hens – during 2007, the Farm Management Committee are currently busy fund raising for animal housing and to pay for a stockman. Together with a pond, herb garden and allotments, a community orchard near the Cumberland Arms is at the planning stage. The Farm is also home to a new environmental and heritage centre, used by over one thousand school children so far already this year.
Additionally, the community group ‘Little Wasters’ works at the Farm and NEETA runs its land based skills course there. The ‘BOB’ - Byker, Ouseburn, Battlefield - recycling scheme is trialling black box recycling to local blocks of flats and is also run from the Farm. Other groups can also hire meeting rooms there.
To become a Friend and receive updates on progress, please contact: Ouseburn Farm, Ouseburn Road, Ouseburn, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2PA
The PURE project has now been completed. A Draft Ouseburn Catchment Plan has been produced following various stakeholder meetings and workshops during the previous autumn and winter. It is intended that the Catchment Steering Group, made up of a broad spectrum of representatives (including your newsletter editor), will take forward the plan to a final document, following further discussions with stakeholders and hopefully secure funding for future actions. Flood risk, water quality, ecological status and amenity value are all part of the picture. Everyone should benefit from an improved catchment. The plan can be accessed via the www.pureouseburn.org.uk website. Any comments on the plan should be sent to Colin Percy at Newcastle City Council.
The Public Inquiry for the proposed Ouseburn Barrage will take place on 12-15 and 21-22 September 2006 at the Civic Centre. There are 14 objectors, including Newcastle Central MP Jim Cousins who fears flooding and other potential problems with drainage which could add to council tax bills if things go wrong. He suggests a simpler scheme with a debris clearance programme would be better. Northumbria Water and the Environment Agency have also raised concerns including that certain wildlife habitats would be left permanently underwater by a change to the Ouseburn’s level. The council has also received 12 letters supporting the barrage.
Northumbria Daybreak are now up and running with their café at the indoor arena of the recently redeveloped Stepney Bank Stables. Open Monday to Friday at lunch times, it serves a variety of hot and cold meals at very reasonable prices. All are welcome – the arena activities are interesting to watch too!
If you are interested in taking riding lessons or becoming a volunteer at the Stables, please get in touch with Susan, Sara or Tim on 0191 261 5544. Riding lessons start from £12, all ages and abilities catered for. The Stables are currently looking to recruit volunteers who can assist with taking bookings and telephone queries, as well as general horse care. Please get in touch if you think you could help! www.stepneybankstables.co.uk