Another orchid!
The Friends get very excited about the reserve’s orchids.
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Things to do
Let’s focus on the environment this summer; let’s learn a little, make a contribution of some kind. Here are some ideas.
Continue reading “Things to do”We need volunteers
The park has been so important to so many during this last locked-down year. People have come here for permitted exercise, to run their children and their dogs, to walk off their worries or just to stay sane in an increasingly insane world. Now that we are promised an end to the craziness, it is the park that needs a little help.
Continue reading “We need volunteers”Happy Birthday Pat
This is Pat, our champion litter picker; yesterday was her 91st birthday.
Continue reading “Happy Birthday Pat”SCP on the Beeb!
By Ian Bushell
News of Southwick Country Park achieving Local Nature Reserve Status reverberated in high places!
Continue reading “SCP on the Beeb!”Damplugger!
An update from Ian Bushell:
Continue reading “Damplugger!”
The last work party before lockdown
Yesterday was FoSCP’s last work party in the park until after this period of lockdown ends. If all goes well, we will next meet on Wednesday, 9th December.
Park users, if you see that there is something to be fixed or damage to be mended, please contact us and we will do our best.
New species
Wed 15/07/2020 18:48; mail and pictures from Clive Knight
Walking round this afternoon spotted these. The first two pics are of a plant in Sleepers Field – no idea what it is and the bottom pic I found in the pathway through the woods at the top of Village Green. Both single plants.
Sent from my iPhone
National Insect Week – Day 4
Butterfly Transect
Mon 22/06/2020 13:05
Mail to Mike Fuller, County Butterfly Recorder, from Ian Bushell
Mike,
Attached is the latest transect at Southwick Country Park – the Meadow Brown numbers are if anything an underestimate. The warm May, lower footfall in the park, plus the fact that the hay/silage crop had not been taken could well have contributed to the general increased numbers.
Cheers
Ian
Watering the hedge
With the loan of Hope Nature Centre’s mobile water tank (thank you Caroline) and armed with as many watering cans and buckets as we could muster, FoSCP set about watering the new hedge in Simpson’s Field. Not quite a work party, more a socially distanced rescue mission.
Checking the park
by Ian Bushell
I took the chance this afternoon to drive to the park and park on that bit of verge by the entrance. There were three cones across the entrance at 1pm but only two when I left at 2:30! Somebody is still breaking the rules.
Continue reading “Checking the park”Walk in the park
By Ian Bushell
Up to the park early this morning with Pat. Glorious blue skies, dew on the cobwebs and birds singing.
Continue reading “Walk in the park”
Disease resistant elms
The Covid-19 lockdown has interrupted our plans for the five disease resistant elms donated to the park by Butterfly Conservation as part of their rescue plan for the white letter hairstreak butterfly.
Continue readingPlanting trees
Coronavirus or no, trees have to be planted.
Continue reading “Planting trees”
A gallery of pictures from Tuesday’s work party.
Litter
Mail from Sarah Marsh
Continue reading “Litter”Primroses
by Sarah Marsh
The Friends have recently planted 150 primrose plug plants in one of the wooded copses in the Village Green area.
Continue reading “Primroses”Bimbling
Mail from Ian Bushell:
“Bimbled round the park this morning. Somebody is still trying to drain the boggy area in Lambrok Meadow but I reckon we can repair the damage easily enough. I wish whoever it is would give it a rest.
Continue reading “Bimbling”SOUTHWICK COUNTRY PARK
By Barbara Johnson
This area of beautiful parkland bordered by the Lambrok Stream and situated in the West Wiltshire countryside, has a distinctly rural feel. It is a popular destination for families, walkers, dog walkers and runners and those who just wish to enjoy the fresh air and countryside.
A parkrun, held here every Saturday morning, attracts many people, both young and not so young. Exercise is good for our health and mental wellbeing and so much more enjoyable in such attractive surroundings.
Continue reading “SOUTHWICK COUNTRY PARK”Dog of the Week!
Buddy, a handsome and very energetic springer spaniel, one of our volunteers, who regularly brings his human, Louise, to FoSCP work parties. Thank you Buddy .
Another of the park’s canine fans:
Second Wednesday
Tomorrow will be the second Wednesday of the month and FoSCP’s first work party of the year. Come and join us; come and help us look after the park and its wildlife.
The Met Office says it will be cold, there is always a chance of rain and we know it will be muddy but the company is good, the conversation enlightening and there will be coffee and biscuits at half time. We meet at 9.30am in the car park, wellied and waterproofed, and we work until midday. New volunteers will be very welcome.
Annual Report 2019
by Ian Bushell
Background. The following programme of actions was taken as an outcome of the review of the park on 27th January 2013 by the Wiltshire Countryside Team and Friends of Southwick Country Park. It is intended that this is a living document: a record of previous projects and tasks conducted, and an update of works carried out during 2019, a review of the park in general, and suggestions for possible future progress.
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Fixing the car park: part 1
More will follow in 2020
Christmas picnic in the park
On a brisk Wednesday morning, FoSCP hacked its way through the woods in Kestrel Field, cleared the path between the trees and then settled down to mince pies and brandy butter. Yummy!
CHRISTMAS FAIR
The Friends of Southwick Country Park will be running a stall at Hope Nature Centre’s Christmas Market today from 11am to 3pm.
Come and visit us; discover more about the park and the people who look after it.
