We are having WiFi problems this morning and today’s post may be delayed. We apologise.
Solstice
Today is the day after the shortest day: the year has turned.
Continue reading “Solstice”Nature Prescriptions
By David Feather
What would you say if you went to see your GP because you were feeling a bit down and was told to get out into a green space like Southwick Country Park? I ask because a number of GP practices in Scotland are doing just that.
Continue reading “Nature Prescriptions”Oak gall ink
More about our oaks.
Continue reading “Oak gall ink”Stormwatch
That could have been the longest official heatwave, with temperatures over 35°C, that the UK has ever recorded. As it breaks and the thunder rolls around the hills, here, just for the fun of it, is a link to a website where you can watch the storms as they happen.
Lost!
Message from Becky Lou: Someone’s little Piglet found at the park today, he hung on but no one returned so he’s being looked after… Get in touch if he’s yours.
We apologise to the Village Green Vandals. After a closer examination, we are beginning to think that the goat willow trees in Sleepers Field were actually stripped of their bark by squirrels.
POLICE MESSAGE
The police have received reports of criminal behaviour in the park and PCSO Mat Till has asked us to post his contact details:
Matthew Till PCSO 6337
Community Policing Team 1 Trowbridge
T: 101 ext 36337 M: 07471029309
He also recommends that if you see criminal behaviour, you should call 101 in a non-emergency or 999 in an emergency.
Elderflower champagne
It’s elderflower time. Here is a tried and tested recipe for elderflower champagne, a bubbly, lightly alcoholic beverage with the delicate aroma and flavour of muscat grapes.
Continue reading “Elderflower champagne”There are traffic cones across the entrance to the main car park. Neither the Friends nor their Countryside Officer know who put them there or if they mean that the park is closed. We are making enquiries and will keep you informed. In the meantime, let’s assume that the park is closed.
A Stroll in the Park
Mail from Ian Bushell:
Continue reading “A Stroll in the Park”PUBLIC CONSULTATION
The public consultation on planning application 20/00379/OUT has been extended until Friday March 13th.
Over the weekend Wiltshire Council’s phones and website went down and with them all the links we had put into our posts about Planning Application 20/00379/OUT . Wiltshire Council has fixed the problem and all the links should work now.
Inspector’s report on WHSAP
The button below will take you to Wiltshire Council’s Planning Policy page; the first item on the page is Wiltshire Housing Site Allocation Plan – Inspector’s report. There are two documents: Inspector’s Report and Appendix 1 – Schedule of Main Modifications.
Lost Keys
Keys were found in the park yesterday.
2019 review – part 3
Just two new species of birds were seen in the park this year:
Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis) seen by Dave Galliers on 03/05/19
and Coot (Fulica atra) seen by Ian Bushell on 31/3/19
Header picture: meadow pipit, taken in the park by DKG
This morning, somebody clicked a button and became our 800th follower. Welcome, whoever you are!
Sloe Gin
First, pick your sloes; there are plenty in the park. Some recipes insist that you shouldn’t do this until after the first frost which is believed to sweeten the sloes but we don’t think it’s essential.
Continue reading “Sloe Gin”DON’T FORGET THAT THERE WILL BE FARM MACHINERY WORKING IN THE PARK TODAY; STAY SAFE.
Part three
Mail from Clive to Ian:
“ On my afternoon walk, I spotted these two butterflies in Village Green. I thought the first one is a Painted Lady and the second Holly Blue but I leave it to your better knowledge.“
Mail from Ian to Clive:
“ Yes, I’ll go along with both of those – Painted Lady and a Holly Blue.”
Ragged robin
Ragged robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi) growing next to the little tributary stream, between the Decorated Bridge and the Dog Pond.
Continue reading “Ragged robin”Scientific names
As well as local names for the species that live in and visit the park, we use scientific names. It looks a bit geeky but there is a reason.
Continue reading “Scientific names” A message from a park user:
” Hi, I was walking back Friday evening when I saw the teenagers that were doing it. There was a group of mixed aged teenagers 2 boys were destroying the one side and another 2 trying to jump on the south side. They had a cable tied to the panels and tried pulling them off with their push bike. They stopped when I started to approach them. I rang 101 and the police came straight out and went to inspect. The police saw them and they ran off. I gave a statement that night but unfortunately no body was caught.”
Thanks; our community police will probably know who they are. Lets hope we can put a stop to this.
