Countryside report – Nov 2022
The Friends of the Dearne have spent the summer dealing with invasive species, Riverfly monitoring and developing the ‘Rewilding the Dearne’ project at Clayton West. The 10 Village Conservation Group have been newt pond monitoring, balsam bashing at Park Mill and helping in the development of the Skelmanthorpe Family Surgery garden.
Other specific green space site news includes Kirklees and Cummins investment in developing Park Gate in Skelmanthorpe for wildlife and people. The Upper Dearne Woods group are working in partnership with the Garganey Trust to manage Turpin Hill as well.
Work with the Woodland Trust and Friends of Wither Wood continues and the East Hill Woods group scythed their wildflower meadow in September whilst Cliffe Woods is preparing for Light Up The Woods on Saturday November 12th, a date also earmarked for the EcoFest@The Pie Hall.
Friends of Churchfield held a successful Sunday picnic and music afternoon in September and the community allotment on the same site continues to thrive and supply the Pantry in Skelmanthorpe with fresh produce. This expansion has created the need for more volunteers to help with the harvest and benefit from work outdoors, so if interested please get in touch with Dave (details below).
On the school front; St Aidan’s, (Upper) Denby First, Scissett First and Middle have achieved the internationally recognised Eco-Schools Green Flag award and the parish will continue to support all schools in our area to retain or achieve this prestigious accreditation. We also hosted a work experience student from Shelley High before the summer holidays.
The Countryside Project, whilst operating locally, is represented on the Dearne Valley Partnership, linking its work into the bigger Nature Improvement Area picture.
David Wilde
Countryside Officer
countryside@denbydale.com
07939 446581