Millennium Wood
The growth of hemlock in the Wood has been stopped, but two areas of
lonicera which are remnants of the time when the area was an SODC
nursery need removing. The trees are growing fast and the Wood is
becoming a haven for wild life. There are plans for an open weekend next
spring.
St James’ Churchyard
Management of the churchyard is continuing with the cutting of the grass
less frequently in certain areas. In some areas the wildflowers are
flourishing, especially in spring, but the meadow section has fewer
species so we will be looking to review the management of that area. The
bats which use the church for roosting in the summer were late arriving
this year, but have been evident in August and September.
Wellsprings
Water emerging from the spring was sampled by the British Geological
Survey in May to discover its age. The analyses revealed that the water
is basically a mixture of two-thirds modern (the last few years) with
older water (more than 50 yrs). This suggests that rain falling at the
top of the Greenhill ridge takes 50 years or more to emerge at the
Wellsprings but for rain falling farther downhill the age lessens
because the transit distance is shorter. There is no evidence that the
water comes down a conduit from the ridge with a well-defined recharge
date.
The species of plants growing in and around the wellsprings pond are
being recorded on a monthly basis. Growth generally has been luxuriant
this year by comparison to last when it was so dry. Some 40 species of
wildflowers have flowered this year.
Autumn Meeting
There is to be a talk at the Village Hall on Tuesday 6 November at 8pm
by Nigel Phillips of the Berkshire Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wild
Life Trust (BBOWT). His subject will be “The Effects of Environmental
Change on Wildlife- Locally and Nationally ”.
The talk is organised by the Environment Group and is open to all who
are interested. Please come!
John Rodda
