The weather has been kind and cruel to the Dene this winter. The mild winter has benefited the birds and mammals who have had plenty of food. Whilst writing this we have snowdrops, crocuses and even daffodils coming into flower and the first leaves are starting to burst from the elderberry and it’s only early February. On the downside, the January storms brought down many trees and branches which created extra work for the parks’ staff. I mentioned a sighting of mink in the last spring issue. No more were sighted until the second week of February 2005 when I spotted one just below the Banqueting Hall. If we get anymore sightings we’ll have to consider trapping as it could cause damage to wildlife.
Jesmond Dene featured in a BBC documentary on Armstrong and Cragside in January. The rangers have a video of this so if there is sufficient demand we may have a showing at Millfield House. If you are interested contact us on 0191 2810973.
You may have noticed that the quarry has been closed for most of the winter. This was due to a large rock fall which left a dangerous overhang. Fortunately the quarry has been made safe and is open again.
Following on from the success of last year’s outdoor performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Heartbreak Productions will be returning this summer. This year they will be performing Hamlet and Much Ado About Nothing on Coleman’s Field in the Dene. The plays will run from 3—13 August. Tickets will be available from the tourist office nearer the time. Jezfest will be back on Sunday 14 August.
The park keepers and volunteers have been working hard this winter. Many of the paths have been cleared back to expose their original Victorian edgings, the cattle run in Armstrong Park has been cleared of ivy and scrub, some of the river banks have been cleared of elder and willow and the pond below Paddy’s has been dug out and filled with water for the first time in years.
Finally by the time you receive this, work will have been completed on the manhole cover near North Lodge. This was causing a bad smell in this area of the Dene which many people wrongly believed was emanating from the River Ouseburn.
Seamus Tollitt