Author: Lynda Fean
Guided Walks 2019
We have just added the schedule for guided walks 2019 to the Events Calendar. All are at £3 per head. Booking preferred, contact the Visitor Centre on 0191 281 2082, but we will take people who turn up at the time if spaces are available.
Heaton Park Sunday 28th April Meet at the Pavilion 1.30 – 3.30pm
St. Marys Chapel and Holy Well Saturday 11th May Meet at Visitor Centre 1.30 – 3.30pm
Armstrong Park/Jesmond Vale Sunday 2nd June Meet at the Pavilion 1.30 – 3.30pm
Jesmond Dene Wednesday 3rd July Meet at the Visitor Centre 6.30 – 8.30pm
Paddy Freeman/Wild Jesmond Dene Saturday 3rd August Meet at Café Kiosk P.F. 1.30 – 3.30pm
Big Garden Birdwatch, Jesmond Dene on Saturday 26 January from 10.30 to 2pm
FREE Family-friendly event
Come and join members of RSPB Newcastle Local Group, Rangers and Volunteers at Jesmond Dene to see how many garden birds you can identify, and add your sightings to the national survey.
You can also go on a short guided walk around the Dene to look for birds and other wildlife. Walks will start at 10.30 am, 11.15 am and 12.00 noon and will last about an hour.
Meet at the Visitor Centre.
Booking for the guided walks is preferred, but not essential. Please contact 0191 2812082 or email newcastlerspbgroup@gmail.com
Christmas Wreath sessions sold out
Less than a week after bookings for the public Christmas Wreaths sessions opened, they are all fully booked. Sorry if you missed out.
Dates for the public Christmas Wreaths sessions announced
We are taking bookings for the public Christmas Wreaths sessions in Jesmond Dene from Monday 1 October at 9.30am. Please call in or phone the Ouseburn Parks Visitor Centre on 0191 2812082.
The sessions are on:
Sat 8 December 10am -12.30pm
Tues 11 December 6.30 – 9pm
Wed 12 December 10am – 12.30pm
The cost is £12.50 per person (includes refreshments)
Come along and make your own Christmas Wreath. All materials provided but if you have a pair of secateurs please bring them with you. Places are limited; book early to ensure your place, 2812082 and for more information. This is an event for adults, so sorry, no under 16s.
Cancelled Event
Sorry but the planned Nature Area Open Day on Thursday has been cancelled due to lack of water in the ponds. The one planned for Tuesday 14th August will definitely go ahead. See you then…
Our AGM on Sunday 13th May
Open Weekend coming up next weekend, including our Annual General Meeting at 2pm on Sunday 13, May 2018
in the Classroom at the Visitors’ Centre, Jesmond Dene
Agenda
1 Welcome and apologies for absence
2 Matters Arising (from meeting on 14 May, 2017)
3 Treasurer’s report
4 Chairman’s annual update
5 Election of officers and committee members
6 Approval of Position Statement
7 Any Other Business
8 John Grundy, our Patron, will provide an informative talk about philanthropy in the northeast
Please join us.
Incident in Coleman’s Field
Did anyone see someone cutting down two Apple Trees near the path in Coleman’s Field sometime between Tuesday 27th February and Sunday 4th March? Large apple trees were planted using a grant from the Tree Council and with help from Heaton Manor School Community Crew at the end of November 2016. Please let us know if you saw anything suspicious. Thanks
Repairs to Nature Area dipping platform
You may be aware that some nine years ago a new pond was dug in Jesmond Dene Nature Area, across the river from Pets Corner. The new pond was provided with a dipping platform to allow parties of children to dip for pond creatures. The supporting framework of the platform was made from recycled plastic, which has the advantage of not rotting, but is expensive compared to wood. The decking for the platform was made from wooden planks that we happened to have available at the time.
Last year it became apparent that some of the decking planks had rotted and needed replacing. The volunteer rangers applied some temporary patches to allow the platform to continue to be used, but it was obvious that the decking would have to be replaced. It was decided to use recycled plastic for this, as the plastic framework for the platform has lasted so well. The planking cost £936.68, of which £541 was raised from the proceeds of the Christmas Raffle, with the remaining £395.68 coming from the funds of the Volunteer Rangers.
Sarah, the Ranger, ordered the plastic planking and some of the volunteer rangers spent two or three sessions during December ripping up the old planking and putting down the new stuff. Apart from it being rot-proof the new planking does not need chicken wire to provide a grip as one side of the planks is deliberately roughened and plastic does not become slimy in the wet as wood does. The new decking should last much longer than the wooden planks that it has replaced. I have enclosed some photos of the decking being replaced.
Newcastle Parks Trust – Next Steps – Recruitment of Board of Trustees and Feedback Sessions
Newcastle City Council Cabinet has approved the creation of a new charitable company – “Newcastle Parks Trust” – for parks and allotments.
The advert for the founding Board of Trustees is available at:www.northeastjobs.org.uk/…/Chair_and_Board_of_Truste…/171074
Feedback sessions have been arranged at 4 locations around the City to explain what Cabinet decided and what will happen next. The sessions are as follows: