Countryside report – Winter 2018
Over recent months the project has been working with the (Upper) Denby Village Conservation Group and the Garganey Trust, on interpretation for the Denby Delf site. I’d recommend a visit to this magnificent local wildlife site, also steeped in heritage and with great views (see above).
A spectacle of a different, but similarly impressive type, was seen in Cliffe Woods, Clayton West, at their ‘Light Up The Woods’ event in November. The conservation group and many others put in an incredible amount of work to create an illuminating, magical evening.
Another great site is Churchfield in Denby Dale, where a lot of maintenance work has been carried out, some in preparation for the ‘Carols with Cake’ event there on Sunday December 2nd. Work at East Hill Woods has included installation of a Men’s Shed refurbished bench which was initially pulled out by vandals. Undeterred, the volunteer group reinstalled it and it is still in place, providing a rest and tranquil view over the wooded valley.
Elsewhere in the Parish’s woods, a bug hunt was enjoyed by Brownies in Wither Wood and in a more aquatic environment, the Countrysde Project is looking to establish a regular riverfly monitoring programme at various points on the River Dearne in the Parish, to monitor pollution. This is indicated by the presence or absence of specific species, many of which live in the river as insect larvae. If interested in becoming part of this project, get in touch with the countryside officer, Dave for more info. Contact details below. This work is feeding into our link with the Dearne further downstream via the Don Network, Catchment Rivers Trust and the Dearne Valley Nature Improvement Area (NIA)
Work with volunteers on newt pond maintenance has continued with the 10 Village Conservation Group and they even expanded their usual environmental work to paint a public play area in Clayton West. The project also hopes to work more closely in the future with Emley Matters and will continue its work with schools, for example recently planting of bulbs and broad beans with Denby (CofE) and Skelmanthorpe First School. Daffodil bulbs have been planted at many sites around the parish and we eagerly await the splashes of colour they will provide, heralding the arrival of spring.
Until then, have a wonderful festive season!
Please contact: David Wilde on Tel: 07939 446581
or Email: Countryside@denbydale.com