Countryside report – Summer 2020
Despite a very wet February, the development of the community allotment continued at Churchfield, culminating in the development of a keyhole garden with volunteers from the Support to Recovery project (S2R), when things began to dry out in March. (Some of their online wellbeing resources can be found at: https://www.s2r.org.uk/take-part ).
Their involvement was indicative of increased interest in the plot but was unfortunately curtailed by the coronavirus lockdown, although we will be able to resume community involvement when feasible. Please contact Dave, the Countryside Officer, for further details
Elsewhere on Churchfield, the grass was mown and a living willow shelter was planted around one of the benches. Another growing project at St. Augustine\’s in Scissett was also supported.
The Wildflower project has bloomed at East Hill Woods and hopefully a display will also soon be seen on the small area in front of Skelmanthorpe council offices. Approximately 350 trees were planted at Park Mill in March, involving the 10 Village Conservation Group, Navigators and young people who want to develop the bike track on site.
Walking on public rights of way has been important in this time of lockdown and Walkers are Welcome have developed some new leaflets which can be viewed at: www.denbydale-walkersarewelcome.org.uk. They are also clearing paths and repairing stiles and bridges.
Prior to schools closing, the project gave support to environmental work at Cumberworth First, Skelmanthorpe Academy and Denby Dale First and Nursery, including pond clearance at the two latter.
Continuing on the aquatic theme, we hope to resume concerted river pollution monitoring by riverfly sampling soon, linking into our involvement in the wider Dearne Valley Nature Improvement Area (NIA).
David Wilde
Countryside Officer
countryside@denbydale.com
07939 446581