Annual Plant Sale

Saturday turned out to be the best day of the year so far as regards to the weather. It was scorching!

The 'Friends' as usual, turned out in force to set up for the big day, with the erection of our big gazebo and a smaller one on loan from Cyril and Shirley.
A lot of hard work had already been done in the background, by the 'Friends' and their friends. in growing hundreds of plants for our sale. The customary sale or return racks of plants from Highdown Nurseries were again in tip top condition and the 'return' part of the deal resulted in just a few trays being put back into stock.
The takings were up by  over £170 on last year, so the day was a great success considering the current financial climate.
After clearing everything away, (mostly to Mike and Jane's garage) we got cleaned up and then met up for a well earned drink or two in the Broadwaters Inn.

In addition to the plant sale, a prize draw was held. A local artist Ken Jenkins, donated an excellent water colour painting of Broadwaters park, so tickets were printed and £61 was raised on the day. The sale of tickets will continue until the 'Summer Fayre' in the park in July, and the draw for the painting will be made on August 4th at our general monthly meeting.
                                                                 
                                                                    Ken's Watercolour

The work begins!

Over the past months we have been busy with ironing out the details of the work to be done in the park. Quotes for the reconstruction of the paths have been received and the contract for the work has been allocated. This work is due to start in June and should be complete in around three weeks.
Due to a surprise reduction in the expected price for the paths, the residue of the pre-allocated funds have allowed to be diverted to pay for new paths to the two picnic tables. This will allow comfortable access for wheel chair bound park goers, instead of trundling across the bumpy grass. This means that we don't have to rely on an application for further funding from other sources.

The five Native Black Poplar trees, which are part of the Lottery funded project, were planted around the margins of the wetland area and have already come into leaf. These will make a splendid addition to the varied fauna in this area of the park.

The bids for the art work have been whittled down from twenty three to a more manageable four. A variety of styles have been included, and a public survey to choose the artist is in progress, and will continue at our annual plant sale on 22nd May.

Great News!!!

The 'Friends' have just been informed that our Lottery Fund bid has been granted!

Now the work can begin with regard to the art work and pathway installations.

Thanks must go to Jane Abraham for her diligent work over the past months.

Broadwaters Lights Fantastic

On 12th December, as part of the Broadwaters Christmas Fayre, organised by Colin Hill on behalf of the Scouts, the 'Friends', supported by Karen James and others at Wyre Forest District council, organised the ' Lights Fantastic' The funds for this event were provided by Mumshad Ahmed through the 'Positive Activities' fund, Howard Martin through the 'Leadership Fund', and Worcestershire County Council through the 'Generations Together' Fund,

(Click pictures for larger view)

The event was the culmination of weeks (months?) of hard work by Jane Abraham who took on the task following the disappointment of not being able to put on a similar event in March.

At last the money became available and the various parts of the event were booked. Chinese Lanterns (modern, 'green' recycled version) were produced with input from local schools and WFDC art workers.

A 'green' energy section was installed in the 'Friend's' large gazebo. This was a series of bicycles on stands connected to generators. These generators, when manned by sufficient 'customers'  provided electrical energy to power some rather fetching blue fairy lights to illuminate the rear of the gazebo.

 

More power (much more!) was needed to power the the kettle and the toaster which did in fact produce tea and toast, though not in sufficient quantities to feed everyone!

The lanterns were installed along the banks of the stream and gave an enticing view to passing motorists.

The climax of the evening was probably the most spectacular fireworks display ever seen in the area.

All in all, a very worthwhile exercise, and thanks are again offered to Wyre Forest District Council and all those involved in the organisation of such a successful event.

Tree O'Clock

On the 5th of December, the 'Friends' took part in the National event sponsored by the BBC Breathing Places website.

The title of the event was 'Tree O'Clock. The aim was to plant as many trees as possible in our green spaces.

This was an attempt to break the 'Guinness Book of Records' record for the most trees planted in one hour.

Unfortunately, the record wasn't broken on this occasion, though around 233,000 trees were in fact planted nationally by volunteer organisations.

A few 'Friends' gathered, appropriately attired against the very damp weather, and with much enthusiasm, planted seven trees in one hour.

This probably doesn't sound many in the time, but it was fairly hard going digging the holes for the trees in very heavy ground.

The trees that were planted were all donated by various folk and had been looked after at the Brinton Park nursery by council staff. Our thanks go to them for their continuing assistance.

A very satisfying morning adding a little something to the park.


Two more trees were planted a few days later by Mark Williams of Plan2Plant.

Further planting is planned in the park when the council remove some weak Alders. These are to be replaced with some ornamental pears (pyrus-calleryani-chantcleer) and should make for more colour in the Autumn.

A glorious day!

Well, the day came at last, and we were greeted with blazing sunshine which gave us probably the best day of the year. The Gazebo was erected without much problem, and soon after, the pig roast van arrived and set up exactly where we agreed. Everything was set for a grand afternoon.

The Tiggerty Boo! players arrived in their 19th century regalia and together with some of the 'Friends', proceeded to enthral an attentive crowd of some eighty locals and visitors. A second performance was no less well attended as the cast entered into their roles with gusto.
The setting was perfect as it gave the audience a good view of the area and specific points of interest that were featured in the drama/dialogue.

Custom for the pig roast was a little slow at first, but soon folk were attracted by the lovely aroma, and a queue quickly formed.
We sold enough tickets to cover the cost of the pig roast with a little left over to go into the 'Friends' fund. A collection bucket for donations also generated a grand sum to be put towards our various projects.

Orders were taken for Mike Abraham's splendid new book on the history of Broadwaters, 'The Broadwaters Time Machine', something that surprised Mike, but pleasantly we hope. He faces some more hard work at the printer it seems.

All in all a lovely afternoon, and well worth the ffort.

Wildlife

The wildlife in the park continues to bring surprises. In April we were all surprised to see the arrival of the rather elegant Mandarin duck. It was very shy at first, and only made it’s presence known by it’s distinctive call. A sort of rising whistle.

Quite soon though, as it saw the other ducks tucking in to their daily allocation of corn, he joined in and was soon bossing the Mallards with his very confident manner and slightly aggressive behaviour.

Strangely, he seemed to make friends with the white Aylesbury duck, and they would spend hours sleeping under the willows, or gently cruising round the pond.

Enquiries regarding it’s rarity in this area were made with the Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetland trust, who gently informed us that it was now fairly common along the whole of the Severn Valley. Still, it was avery nice daily distraction to watch him preening his marvellous plumage.

Sadly he has moved on to pastures (ponds?) new. Presumably to seek a mate elsewhere.

Who knows? He may return someday and breed. That would be great.