CradleyWild

Increasing and improving the environment for nature in and around Cradley

See also our Cradley Wild book-list and web links.

25/26 May bird count.

The next meeting will be in Cradley Village Hall on Thursday 11th July.

The AGM will be on Thursday 5th September in Cradley Village Hall at 2.30pm.

See the 3 villages Newsletter for June 'Why hedges matter'

Please eMail CradleyWild@cradley.org.uk if you would like to join our group.

 

From the May newsletter - Herefordshire Waste and Recycling

REDUCE, RE-USE, RE-CYCLE

On the back of the question “Why doesn’t Herefordshire Recycle more waste?”, three members of Cradley Wild attended a talk by Craig Cornish from Herefordshire Council, via the Ledbury Sustainability Group.  The good news is that we are likely to see a change in the existing arrangements later in the year.  The current contracts are up for renewal and whilst details are not available yet, food waste is being discussed.

Everyone does their best to get recycling right and we picked up some tips on what can be recycled. Should the Council be unable to take it for roadside collection, there are more options at the recycling centres. If in doubt both the Council and Envirosort websites offer helpful advice (links below)

As a county, we can make some improvements and it’s always worth a refresh to make sure we are recycling as much as possible.

Where we can improve……..

·         Food Waste = 38% of the average black bin in Herefordshire

o   70% is avoidable

o   38% of all discarded food is still packaged. Sadly, a high percentage of this is meat -which means some poor animal has been slaughtered unnecessarily – plus all the energy used to feed, transport etc.  Plan well and freeze your meat if you think you won’t use it.  This type of waste was higher in the more affluent areas of the county

·         60% of all food waste in the UK occurs in the home

·         Other “waste”  - as much as  70% of what is placed in the black bin could be recycled

Herefordshire Food Alliance has a charter which you can sign up to.  For more information:- https://herefordshirefoodcharter.org.uk/blog

ü Love Food Hate Waste - www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/ is brilliant for food waste reduction advice.

What You Can Put in your Recycling Bin………

Please wash items and ensure they are clean.  Unwashed items attract vermin and can contaminate other recyclable items.

ü Aerosol Cans

ü Cardboard

ü Fruit/Veg Punnets (but not black plastic – plastic is optically sorted and black plastic can’t be picked up by the technology)

ü Milk and juice cartons

ü Glass bottles and jars and toiletry jars

ü Clean plant pots that are not black

ü Clean quality paper (not kitchen roll or tissue)

And what you can’t………

·         Batteries (you can take these to recycling centres)

A word of warning about “compostable” plastics.  They take a long time to break down and may generate particles of micro plastics (a huge problem waiting to happen)  Unless the wrapping is made of potato starch,  the recommendation is to put these in the black bin.  On a positive note, much from the black bin collection is used to generate electricity – only c1% goes to landfill.

Herefordshire’s waste disposal contractor Severn Waste Service provide information about the recycling process at EnviroSort here - www.severnwaste.com/recycling/ including a list of what can be recycled.

www.recyclenow.com/ - is a one stop shop for finding out what you can recycle and where.

www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk/ - Use to search for local electrical recycling points.

Future Waste collection service – Updates on changes to waste collections will be covered here - www.herefordshire.gov.uk/rubbish-recycling/future-waste-collections.

MINUTES OF MEETING 9th May 2024

PRESENT: (20)

APOLOGIES: (5)

1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES

There was several new attendees, whose attendance and participation were welcomed.

Linda advised that this week 6-12 May is National Hedgerow week.

2. MATTERS ARRISING

a. Constitution was ratified and agreed.

3. PLANT SALE, 4 May; VILLAGE FETE, 29 June

Plant Sale: Linda thanked Patrick and Ian for manning the stall. ￡20 was raised.

Village Fete: Volunteers required – even if just for an hour. Fete runs from 10-5pm

Also, ideas for the stall e.g. activities for children, wildflowers in jars for identification,

anything to sell – if anyone can make bird or bat boxes.

Action points:

• Volunteers to man the table (ALL)

● Ideas to engage and attract visitors to the stand (ALL) by 31 May

Please respond to either Linda or Clare

4. AGM Thursday 5 September at CRADLEY VILLAGE HALL 14.30 – 16.00

Voluntary ￡5 subscription/donation for active members agreed and some members have

already paid.

Action point: Please note date (ALL)

Action point: The annual voluntary subscription date will run from 1-9-2024- 31-8-2025.

Those who have paid already will be sent e-mail acknowledgement (Jessie)

5. National Landscapes- APPLICATION for £1000 GRANT

Linda is in discussion with David Armitage

Public Liability Insurance will be required for activities and this is being investigated.

Action Point: Jessie to report back on Public Liability Options and Costs (1/7/24)

6. MOLE CATCHER DECISION

The Parish Council has agreed to halt mole catching activities for the next year and monitor

the situation, providing CW deal with the spoil from the mole hills. This was unanimously

applauded by the group and much credit given to Clare Gogerty and Bill Van Marle for their

work to secure this decision.

7. REPORT ON TOUR OF VERGES WITH DIANE M

The Parish Council is keen for Cradley Wild to be involved with Crumpton Hill green –

possible ideas are apple trees with underplanted wildflowers. It is a large area and provides

a good opportunity to increase bio-diversity. There is also an area of verges the Parish

Council manages. Good communication with the residents at Crumpton Hill is required to

hear their views on what should be done.

Mike has a contact for apple trees which may be useful. Parish Council will finance trees.

Action point: Linda to arrange a meeting with Colin Merker and the residents. Mary

advised that approach should be through Chair of Parish Council

Note 1: Public Liability Insurance may also be required for any activity.

Note 2: The Story Board for the Chapel Lane Play Area was discussed. Feedback from Diane

(who attended PC Meeting) advised that more pictures were suggested, although this

feedback has not been passed on directly to Linda. This was further discussed in AOB.

Action point: Mary to check and let Linda know Parish Council’s requirements.

Action Point: to progress Parish Council’s requirements Diane advised there needed to be

more explanation on why the area looks like it does and more explanations/pictures.

Action Point: Someone with good IT skills to aid with photos to assist – Any volunteers

please contact Linda by 31 May.

Note 3: Bill raised a concern that the Council may use herbicides on nettles. All members of

the group were opposed to this action. Nettles are an important food and breeding source.

Also there is a danger from herbicides to people

Action Point: Mary agreed to pass on the Group’s concern about any use of herbicides to

the Parish Council

8. PROGRESS ON PLANTERS

Diane reported that there are issues with the bench but once this is resolved, the planting

can go ahead.

Action Point: Diane to advise when bench issue resolved.

9. UPDATE ON WATER MONITORING

c/f to next meeting as when Ian Perry is available.

10. PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER WILDLIFE GROUPS

Jessie suggested linking with other groups to share best practice and ideas. All agreed this

was a good idea. Sarah advised that Herefordshire Green Network may have established a

framework and there was a discussion as to whether the Parish Council may also have a

strategy in place for linking up similar groups.

Lorna works for Maritime Conservation Trust and advised they run a ‘Source to Sea’ data

collection for waste. Although originally beach-orientated, it can be land-based and the data

collection helps understand how/why waste is happening and drive future strategies. All

agreed a land based ‘liitter pick’ and data analysis would be useful.

Action point: Sarah to provide Linda with website/contact details for Herefordshire Green

Network and Mary will enquire with Council.

Action point: Members to look at Maritime site and report back at the next meeting

regarding any litter picking plans and data analysis ideas that could be used for Cradley Wild

(All)

11. COLLECTION POINT FOR TIN FOIL AND BATTERIES

Certain items such as batteries and tin foil are not collected by County Council at the

roadside but they are recyclable. The group discussed whether a central collection point in

Cradley would help and one volunteer could take to recycling centre monthly – which avoids

individuals having to make trips or recyclable goods not being recycled because it’s too

challenging.

Diane advised that the school collects batteries (as do Boots Ledbury).

Jan advised that Oxfam in Malvern take in foil, and Bill said that Super Drug will take blister

packs. Bill also advised of the firm Terra Cycle which may also be an option.

The Bran Tub in Malvern collect stamps.

Ideally, a central collection point in Cradley would be better for the environment.

Action point: Mary agreed to approach the council to see if there is any support for a

central collection point.

Action Point: Linda to include options above of where to take non kerbside recyclable goods

in the next newsletter.

12. JULY NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS

Nicole has offered to do a piece on butterflies and Linda to do a summary on what has been

achieved by Cradley Wild so far.

Bird count Mike suggested 25/26 May for as many people in Cradley as possible to carry out

a bird count for one hour during the weekend – what you see or hear flying in or over your

garden. Jill suggested that it would be useful to encourage school children to participate in

the bird watch. All agreed but to trial logistics, it may be best to do the first birdwatch just

with the group.

Action point: ALL to e mail Mike with results by 3 June

13. COMMITTEE/ENABLING GROUP VOLUNTEERS

Linda asked for around 3-4 volunteers so we can create a core committee/enabling group of

c 6 people to drive actions forward outside of the bi-monthly meetings.

Action point: All to consider if they can make this commitment and let Linda know by

31May.

14. HEDGE SURVEY

Linda asked if anyone had QGIS knowledge for hedge survey. Patrick advised that this may

not be an essential requirement as there was an interface before inputting into QGIS.

First step for Cradley hedge survey would be to get a map. Reports are made on each

segment (even if there is a gap in the hedge). Herefordshire has a definitive map of

footpaths.

Action point: Patrick agreed to investigate the skill set required and report back

15. AOB

• Tony asked for volunteers to put up bat boxes in the churchyard. Paul

Moorhouse, John Collins and Dave King kindly volunteered. David and John

volunteered to make bat boxes. Jessie advised that to improve chances of

success c6-10 boxes may be required (following a talk from Worcestershire

Wildlife).

Action Point: Tony to liaise with volunteers.

• Jan advised that the Evergreen Club often required people to talk, and it may be

a way for Cradley Wild to raise funds as they pay ￡20.

Action Point: Anyone interested in giving a talk to Evergreen or other

organisations to notify Linda.

• Bill is talking to school’s champion.

• Visit to Bruce Herriot’s farm was very inspiring and useful.

• There could be an opportunity to match people who want land to grow veg etc.

with people who have land available as well as formal allotments. Mary agreed

to talk to the council to assess demand. Jan advised she needs help with

gardening and could share produce. Sarah F may be able to help.

Action Point: Mary to raise with council about formal allotments and report

back.

• Linda re-iterated the need for volunteers with the fete. Please can volunteers

who can help let Linda know by 31 May. (Linda is away from 1-16 June.)

13. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

This will be held on Thursday 11 July 2.30pm, in the Village Hall

From the April Newsletter - WILDLIFE FRIENDLY PLANTERS by Ian Perry

Cradley Wild are working with the Parish Council to create two wildlife friendly planters in the village. (See table below for plant combinations.) We will let you know when they are in place but meanwhile here is a list of plants we have recommended, which will look good in anyone's containers or window boxes and will attract a good range of pollinators.

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) Purple flowers

A familiar plant in herb and kitchen gardens, rosemary attracts a variety of bees including mason, bumble, mining, and honey bees. It is great for other pollinators, as well, like nectar-feeding flies and butterflies. Rosemary’s ability to flower early (sometimes as early as February in the northern hemisphere) and its long blooming window makes it an especially attractive pollinating perennial. Early flowering plants are especially helpful for early emerging bee species, like mason bees, that have a short foraging window (early to late spring).

Viper’s bugloss (Echium vulgare) Blue flowers

A member of the borage family, Viper’s bugloss’s  bell-shaped flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies and moths. After pollination each flower produces four nutlets which resemble a viper’s head, hence the name; it was once prescribed as an antidote for snake-bite.

Wild daffodils (Narcissus pseudo narcissus) Yellow flowers

All commercial daffodils are derived from these; the wild variety is small but provides a vital source of pollen for early season bumblebees.

Betony (Stachys officinalis) Maroon flowers

A member of the dead-nettle family, Beto was much loved by herbalists as a cure for everything! Its flowers are particularly favoured by the solitary wool carder bee (Anthidium manicatum), as well as many other insects.

Bird’s foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatis) Yellow flowers

The bird's-foot-trefoil is a larval food plant for several butterflies and moths and a valuable nectar source for many other insects. And, like some other legumes, it produces highly nutritious pollen.

Lady’s bedstraw (Galium serum) Pale yellow flowers

Lady's Bedstraw is a haven for wildlife. Its nectar-rich blossoms attract bees and butterflies, providing a vital food source for these pollinators. The plant's dense growth offers shelter for small insects, contributing to the overall biodiversity of your garden.

Wild Thyme (Thymus polytrichus) Purple flowers

The tiny, two-lipped rose-purple flowers are very attractive to honey bees.

Lavender (Lavendula angustilifolia) Purple flowers

A member of the mint family, lavender is very attractive to bees and many other insects.

Foxglove (Digitalis grandiflora) Yellow flowers

Bumblebees are often seen balancing on the individual flowers of these tall, pale yellow spikes.

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) Pink/blue flowrs

This evergreen herb of the mint family is very attractive to all insects, especially bees. 

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) White/blue/purple flowers

Comfrey flowers, which appear from late May, are very attractive to bees and hoverflies, essential for pollination of many food crops. They also encourage predatory insects that can help keep 'pests' at bay.

Dahlia 'Bishop of Llandaff’ (Dahlia spp.) Red flowers

These have beautiful red flowers with fewer petals allowing, bees, butterflies and other insects to have easy access to the flowers' pollen and nectar.

Wild marjoram (Origanum vulgare) Purple flowers

Wild marjoram (which is also called oregano) is an excellent food source for all kinds insects.

Poached-egg plant (Limnanthes douglasii) Yellow/white flowers

The fabulously-named Poached Eggplantattracts bees to pollinate flowers, plus ladybirds and hoverflies to tackle aphids

Other suggestions

Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) Blue flowers

Meadow cranesbill (Geranium pratense Blue flowers

Field scabious (Knautia arvensis) Maroon flowers

WildlifeFriendlyPlanters

EXTRAORDINARY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING ABOUT MOLES, 26 MARCH 2024

 

1. Statement from Dr Rob Atkinson, author of ‘Moles’ (Whittet Books, 2013), submitted by Cradley Wild

Despite their abundance, moles remain one of our least known wild animals. Small, at around 100g, and living underground, moles reluctantly give up their secrets. I suspect that’s one reason why, unlike hedgehogs, the mole – save for that affectionate portrait in The Wind in the Willows – does not enjoy a secure place in the national affections.

My family lived in Cradley for 50 years. We always had moles in our garden, and when I was young, I used to trap them. Years later, I studied moles at Oxford University, revealing many but far from all their secrets. While I wouldn’t dream of telling someone they shouldn’t get upset at molehills, I would urge a greater understanding of these remarkable animals. Armed with such knowledge, we can make an informed judgement. [See supplementary statement for background information on moles.)

Moles are part of a healthy ecosystem

Painful though the thought of molehills is, moles are part of a healthy, natural ecosystem, as their digging brings nutrients to the surface, and molehills are nurseries for wildflowers. Even on farmland moles have a role, aerating the soil and eating crop-damaging larvae, and they were once deliberately introduced to control cockchafer beetles. Germany, a country with an agriculture very similar to ours, takes the view that moles are overall a good thing, and protects them by law. Of course, locally they can be more destructive. They can pollute silage when their molehills are collected accidentally by mowers. Depending on one’s point of view they can disfigure our gardens.

Moles are top of wildlife’s hit list

Consequently, moles remain a target in Britain, where we kill uncounted thousands each year, putting them at the top of our country’s hit-list of wildlife. Moles are still persecuted with scant protection from the law. Although moles no longer suffer an appalling death from strychnine, Britain only banned the poison for use on moles in 2006, 50 years after it had stopped its use on all other animals. Moles can still be killed using phosphine gas, even though it is difficult to get high concentrations in the tunnels, and low exposure means moles can take three days to die. The law exempts mole traps from meeting the welfare standards that apply to other spring traps in Britain. And trapping in spring risks orphaning dependent young.

A most remarkable animal

There is no doubt that moles, more specifically molehills, can be a nuisance but surely these creatures – mighty, mysterious, and resilient – deserve our respect and, as often as we can offer it, our tolerance. Instead of killing them, please think about raking over their molehills, or use the sifted and aerated soil in the garden. Then wonder what one of our most remarkable animals is getting up to, unseen below your feet.

 

2. Supplementary statement: understanding moles

The mole is nearly blind, and although it can detect light it does not hunt for earthworms (its main prey) using its eyes, which are pinpoints hidden beneath its dense, black fur. Instead, it relies on smell and on touching wriggling prey using sensory hairs on its face. Moles need to eat at least half their bodyweight every day – about six big common earthworms. With fastidious care, a mole will squeeze the gritty gut contents out of a worm before eating it, holding the head in its sharp teeth and pulling the slimy body through its nails.

What does a mole look like?

Moles have broad, spade-like hands armed with thick, earth-scraping nails and a fringe of stiff hairs to sweep soil. Their upright, sensitive tails help them quickly reverse. The strong, flexible spine allows the mole to instantly turn around in a tunnel only millimetres wider than its body. The shoulders are so powerful that they can exert a sideways pressure 24 times the mole’s own bodyweight – equivalent to a human pushing nearly two tonnes.

The poet John Clare was right to call the mole “the little hermit”: both sexes are solitary. Uniquely among mammals, the females have “ovotestes”: a combination of ovary, which produces eggs, and testicular tissue. The latter generates the hormone testosterone, which is likely responsible for the female mole’s aggressive defence of her territory. Both males and females are strongly territorial.

The sex life of the mole

The females’ testosterone recedes temporarily in spring when they briefly let down their guard and mate. At this time of the year, males are lustily charging across the landscape, in shallow surface tunnels hundreds of metres long in the hope of finding females. The sexes stay together for only an hour or so, and soon afterwards females resume their solitary lives.

In mid-April in southern England to late June in Scotland, three or four babies are born in warm, underground nests of dry grass, and spend their first four weeks sleeping and drinking their mother’s milk. They start to eat solid food, possibly learning by grabbing hold of a worm their mother is eating. By early summer the mother’s territory must support four or five animals rather than one, and dryer, leaner times are coming. The young moles leave home and set off to find their own territories, risking starvation, traffic, and foxes. Sixty four percent of youngsters never live to see their first birthday. Only a lucky few reach the maximum age of seven.

Molehills explained

The mole is an accomplished digger. Each mole lives at depths of up to 150cm in a network of tunnels more than a kilometre long, all packed like spaghetti into a territory only 30-40 metres across. Moles rely on their tunnels to act as traps for their prey. Earthworms moving through the soil accidentally enter the tunnels and, once they’re in, it takes a while to get out which is when they’re caught by the patrolling mole. The cursed molehills are just a by-product of their industrious digging. Moles make fewest molehills in summer when the soil is harder to dig, and people may not even know they are there. Moles work for about four and half hours a day in winter and take about an hour to dig one metre.

Having dug the soil, moles have to push it onto the surface via near-vertical shafts. The soil in even a short, 15cm shaft weighs three times as much the mole does, and the mole lifts against the resistance of the shaft’s walls and with one hand, bracing itself against the tunnel walls with its hindfeet and the other hand. Moles can lift around two kilograms – 20 times their own bodyweight. Puny by comparison, Olympic powerlifters can only manage twice their own bodyweight.

MINUTES OF CRADLEY WILD MEETING Thursday 7 March 2024, Cradley Village Hall

 

PRESENT: Linda Belmont (chair), and 12 members

APOLOGIES: 2

 

1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES

 

2. PLANT SALE, 4 May; VILLAGE FETE, 29 June

Plant Sale: CW has a table at the plant sale. As Linda, Nicole, Jessie and Clare are away on that date, Linda asked for volunteers to staff it. It may be that we just leave leaflets. Any plants provided by our group will be sold in aid of church and village hall.

Action points: someone to staff the stand. Anyone got any surplus wildlife-friendly plants to sell? Clare to create leaflet and liaise with Ken about printing.

Village Fete

Our table is booked and paid for.

 Action point: presence and offering to be discussed.

 

3. CRADLEY WILD CONSTITUTION

Linda reported that the constitution has been drawn up and circulated. Amendments to be added and recirculated. She thanked Patrick for his help pulling it together and Tony for his amendments, which have been considered and some incorporated. Tony pointed out that the constitution should state that no payment to be made except for expenses, and made suggestions as to how many people should be required to be quorate.

Action point: Clare to circulate draft constitution. Any comments feedback to be sent to Linda. Once everyone has agreed, it will be ratified at the next meeting.

 

4. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ENABLING GROUP

This was prompted by meeting with David Armitage of National Landscapes who advised that CW needs a steering group and constitution to apply for grants and to be taken seriously. A temporary team of Chair (Linda), Secretary (Clare) and Treasurer (Jesse) is in place. Permanent members to be elected at the AGM in September. Three members of the enabling group are needed to be a quorate. The minimum number of meetings per annum to be four. Agenda to be circulated beforehand.

Linda suggested that a voluntary fee of £5 per member p.a. to be requested to cover admin costs.

Action point: vote on whether to go ahead with voluntary contributions to take place at next meeting.

 

5. UPDATE ON BANK ACCOUNT

Clare reported that, following some technical difficulties, a CW bank account has been opened with Lloyds. Signatories are Linda, Clare and Jessie.

 

6. REPORT ON MEETING WITH DAVID ARMITAGE

Linda and Clare met with David Armitage of National Landscapes (was AONB). He will apply for a grant of £1,000  to be available  for CW for wildlife projects and equipment eg hi-vis vests, tools.  If made available, this will be paid in arrears. Tony pointed out that all receipts must be kept so that this can happen.

 

7. REPORT ON SUSTAINABLE LEDBURY WASTE DISPOSAL MEETING

Jessie, Paul and Clare attended this meeting. Jessie reported that it was an interesting presentation and a good reminder of what we can and can’t recycle. She has written an account for the next Newsletter. Tenders for Herefordshire waste will be re-negotiated in September so there may be some changes regarding food waste.

There was discussion about biodegradable/composting soft plastics and what this means. Ian said that he has sourced compostable doggy bags made from potato starch.

Action point: Ian to write a note for the newsletter on where to get these doggy bags.

Action point: pursue a partnership with Sustainable Ledbury.  

 

8. REPORT ON HEDGES MEETING, COLWALL

Ian, Patrick, Jenny and Clare attended. The talk by Megan from Peoples Trust for Endangered Species was excellent and inspiring. A bird handler came with a Barn Owl and a Kestrel; Jenny pointed out that birds need hedges as much as small creatures, insects etc for sightlines, food and shelter. Colwall has done an extensive survey of all hedges accessible by public right of way, which is a great template should we do one, too.

Action point: a Cradley hedge survey to be considered for the future, using the useful methodology implemented by Colwall.

Action point: Ian to write an account of the meeting for the Newsletter. Linda to ask David Armitage for the information he offered on how the hedge survey needs to be conducted.

 

9. PROGRESS OF PLANTERS

Diane reported that Janita has received our proposal and will submit costs to the Parish Council.

Action point: everyone agreed that the list of plants drawn up by Ian and Bill was a useful document and could be expanded to include in the Newsletter. Ian to action.

 

10. UPDATE ON WATER MONITORING, CRADLEY BROOK

Ian met with Kate from Severn Rivers Trust with other volunteers. This is part of a national organisation which trains volunteers to use equipment, which it supplies. This equipment is currently with a volunteer called Dick. Kate will advise on how often to monitor the water, potentially in three sites: Kingsbridge, Mathon, and Pound Bridge. Ian Haig currently monitors six sites every week.

Action point: Ian to update at next meeting.

 

11. NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS

It was agreed that we submit the following articles for the next three issues:

a.  Wildlife-friendly plant list (Ian and Bill)

b.      Waste and recycling (Jessie) + call to action Bird Count (Mike)

c.   Hedges (Ian  and Patrick)

 

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

* VERGES

Diane reported that there are two designated roadside verges marked by Herefordshire Council. In the past, she has maintained these in October ie raked leaves, weeded nettles, brambles etc. This is something CW can continue. There are rakes which we can use.

Action point: a working party of volunteers to be established to do this. Diane to point out verges involved.

* TREES

John is a parish tree warden and has a list of the protected trees in the villages.

Action point: John to supply document to Clare who will scan it and circulate.

* CHAPEL LANE MOUND

Diane proposed that CW supply words for the storyboards at Chapel Lane, explaining what the purpose of the Mound is, what the plants are, their benefits to wildlife etc. The Mound has been surveyed to establish what is growing there. DM also pointed out that the problem with moles in the football field is that children could twist an ankle in the tunnels they create.

Action point: Diane/Janita to get hold of the results of the survey and circulate. Then we can write copy.

* CRUMPTON HILL VILLAGE GREEN, CRADLEY ORCHARD

Diane asked what are our plans for these patches of greenery? She suggested planting memorial fruit trees, like Cradley Orchard. Ian and Patrick are going to prune the trees in Cradley Orchard. Diane suggested planting fritillaries beneath the trees as the ground is so wet and they like damp conditions.

Action point: Diane to take us to view the area and to see the verges. Plans to be agreed with Parish Council.

* HEREFORDSHIRE LOCAL NATURE RECOVERY SCHEME

Tony and Linda brought this to the meeting’s attention.

Action point: it was agreed to monitor it.

* VILLAGE BIRD COUNT

Mike suggested we run a village bird count in late May/early June to establish what species are present. He also congratulated Jessie for her article on hedgehogs in the current Newsletter.

Action point: date and time tbc. Mike to supply copy for May Newsletter.

• HEDGELAYING

John drew attention to the lovely bit of hedgelaying in Mathon.

Action point: if anyone is passing (road works currently making this tricky), please take a photo to potentially include in the Newsletter.

 

13. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

This will be held on Thursday 9 May, 2.30pm, in the Village Hall.

 

From the March 2024 newsletter: Animals in Danger -  Hedgehogs

Following on from the Bryce Family’s excellent article on raising awareness about creating corridors/tunnels for hedgehogs, it feels appropriate to focus on the plight of the hedgehog. Hedgehogs are in serious decline (by up to 50% in rural areas since the millennium).  There is no single reason but loss of habitat through development, hedge removal, habitat fragmentation, competition for food, injuries, lack of food and use of pesticides all contribute.

25% of hedgehogs die before they leave the nest and a further 50% do not survive in to adulthood.  However, we can all help hedgehogs. 

Habitat

Hedgehogs can travel 2-3 km in a night making it essential to create a tunnel in garden fences.  Otherwise, hedgehog populations can become isolated, which has a genetic impact and eventually the isolated populations may become unviable and subsequently extinct.  Loss of habitat can mean hedgehogs struggle to find somewhere to nest or find food.  Hedgehogs prefer hedgerows (hence the name), woodland edges and suburban habitats (reiterating the importance of small tunnels in fences). A hedgehog house in a quiet, shady area of the garden may encourage a hedgehog to take up residence in your garden.  Hibernation isn’t constant throughout winter and hedgehogs will leave their slumber if their fat reserves deplete. 

As you read this, hedgehogs will start to emerge from their winter hibernation – so leaving food and water will give them sustenance to help them on their way. .  If you want to leave some food just in case - cat biscuits left undercover will be edible for a week.

Food

Hedgehogs like to eat invertebrates (beetles, earwigs, caterpillars, earthworms, millipedes and fly larvae), so anything you can do to encourage these into your garden will help.  Planting British native plants, encouraging dense vegetation and leaving some patches of bare soil will help.  Hedgehogs are opportunist feeders and will eat cat/dog food.  Putting food and water out during dry, hot spells will help (milk and mealworms are a definite “no” for hedgehogs.  Mealworms are the hedgehog equivalent of junk food).  Log piles, compost heaps and a small pond (being aware that hedgehogs need a slipway to climb in and out of the water safely) will encourage invertebrates into your garden.

Accidents

Sadly, hedgehogs get injured by strimmers,  they can be caught in netting and more often killed by cars.  Hedgehogs can nestle in long grass, so if you are following no mow May please check for hedgehogs before you cut the grass,  Hedgehogs won’t run away when they sense danger, they curl into a ball.  Be hedgehog aware – drive more slowly and check before you chop and when driving slow down for nature.

In summary -there are many reasons why the hedgehog population is declining and no one garden can give a hedgehog everything it needs, which is why we all need to help.  If you have an impermeable fence please make a tunnel, leave some leaves, logs, or a small wild patch in your garden and please don’t use pesticides.  Be hedgehog aware when using machines (including cars).

Together we can make a difference.

For more information www.britishhedghogs.org.uk

And the Cradley Wild page at: www.cradley.org.uk

 

With thanks to articles by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, Hedgehog Street, BBC


From the February 2024 newsletter:

WHY WE SHOULD WELCOME MOLES IN OUR GARDENS

It’s during winter and into spring that we really notice moles. Or rather, we notice mole hills – moles are mostly subterranean and are rarely seen above ground. Piles of freshly dug earth appear in fields and gardens, breaking out across lawns and in flower beds. Many a gardener (and professional mole catcher) views these soft piles of soil as an enemy invasion and will not rest until the ground is flat once more and the small mammal responsible is dealt with. It is the misfortune of this otherwise blameless creature that its progress in search of worms results in heaps of earth. Their crime is to make gardens look a bit messy.

Rather than see these industrious mammals as pests, I say we should welcome them into our gardens and recognise the benefit they bring. They are part of nature’s grand scheme of things after all, contributing to the health of the soil by turning it, draining it and mixing its nutrients. You know you have healthy, worm-rich soil when molehills appear. Molehills also make excellent nursery beds for wildflowers. Even on farmland, moles have a role, aerating soil and eating crop-damaging larvae – they were once deliberately introduced to control cockchafer beetles.

Because they live underground, moles escape most people’s attention and knowledge of them is scant. Did you know, for example, that the series of molehills across your lawn was created by a single mole? After mating, they live a solitary life in the darkness with smell and touch their only means of seeking and finding prey and future mates.

The only time they venture above ground is when they are young and in search of a burrow of their own. These burrows can be hundreds of metres long and are dug at various depths to allow for droughts and for low temperatures. Powerful diggers with strong shoulders, moles have white, paddle-like front legs which look remarkably like human hands, a pink pointed snout, tiny eyes and a short tail. They weigh 80g and need to eat 50g of worms and grubs a day to survive. To ensure a regular supply, they bite worms in the head to immobilise them, then store them in chambers called ‘fortresses’, dozens at a time. The moles dig and feed in a four-hour sift before resting for four hours, then feeding and digging again.

Moles used to be trapped for their velvety pelts. Thankfully that is no longer the case, but now they are killed because they make a mess of our lawns and golf courses. It is time to cherish the inherent worth of this blameless creature with which we share our world, even if that is sometimes at a small cost to ourselves. It only takes a second to kick over a molehill after all.

Clare Gogerty

Information from ‘Moles’ (Whittet Books) by Dr Rob Atkinson, former Cradley resident.