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Wintertime in Snakemoor - Newsletter from
Robyn - December 2002
Do visit Haddenham’s very own Local Nature Reserve. It can be pleasant
to walk around Snakemoor even in Winter when it may be damp
under foot. The frequent visitor will be aware of the
seasonal changes and of continuing improvements carried out.
For those who have not discovered Snakemoor you will find
its entrance just past the station going towards Thame.
Enthusiastic
volunteers have achieved a lot over the last 5 months. A new
wheelchair entrance to Snakemoor was installed and painted
last August. The Parish Council paid for the materials
and I am grateful to Graham Kimber for doing the heavy
work. Particularly in the drier seasons this will
provide valuable access for those who use a
wheelchair. A patch of the meadow has been prepared
ready for meadow plants and seeds to be put in next spring.
During
September volunteers planted some 800 woodland bulbs
provided by the Aylesbury Vale Countryside Service.
The paths, daffodil and cowslip areas and pond banks were
also cleared. We were also pleased to have a visit by
the Rainbows.
In
October a new seat was installed. This was provided at Diane
Alderson's request and commemorates April 2000 when she
helped celebrate the designation of Snakemoor as a Local
Nature Reserve. This seat, designed by Peter Aldington
and paid for by the Village Society, was constructed and
installed by volunteers.
In
November a work group coppiced sycamore trees and removed
dangerous branches from falling onto the paths. More
cowslips were planted in the SE corner of Snakemoor.
In the orchard area we have two new trees. These are
Aylesbury Prunes that have been especially grafted to give
us two of the plum trees that were very common in this locality.
December
was another time for celebration. The parish council
have secured and purchased a 125 year lease for
Snakemoor. This has taken a long time to finalise with
the AVDC but it now means the status of Snakemoor as a
nature reserve is more secure for the years ahead. The
next organisational priority is to get a footpath from the
Station to Snakemoor.
Some
users of Snakemoor do unfortunately undo some of the good
work done. Recently a new path direction was created
and the old way blocked with stakes and rope. This was
done to allow development of overhanging trees. The
rope and stakes have unfortunately been removed by someone!
On
the brighter side the next few months will provide
opportunities to enjoy a succession of flowering
plants. This will start with the snowdrops in late
January. On the grass areas we will have the daffodils
and cowslips followed in late May with the Snakeshead
Fritillaries in the meadow.
New
volunteers are always welcome. On Thursday 16 January
2003 Matthew from the Aylesbury Vale Countryside Service is
bringing a group of volunteers, weather permitting, to plant
a lot of woodland plants that they have
provided. Please let me know if you like to assist on
this day or on other work days normally held on a
Saturday. I have also been given 7 bat boxes for
installing at Snakemoor. I would be very pleased if
somebody would install these and then periodically inspect
and record development of bats at Snakemoor. The
Aylesbury Countryside Service will be pleased to give the
simple training necessary.
Please
visit and enjoy Snakemoor.
Robyn
Thorogood (Tel: 01844 291254)
Chairman of the Parish Council Snakemoor Committee
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