Management Committee Newsletter No.5
It is very pleasing to record that the water levels are the highest for several years and the winterbourne which rises from a spring in the Manor grounds has flowed well for the first time for almost three years. The flow reflects the winter rain as it takes about four months for the rainfall to seep through the ground to the aquifer which feeds several springs in the King’s Pool and the Brook.
The volunteer work force continues to carry out the current management plan. Volunteers meet on the first Saturday and third Wednesday of each month. New volunteers are especially welcome and if you are interested, just turn up on one of the workdays any time from 9:30-12:30pm, or ‘phone Beryl on 872795. There is usually a range of tasks planned for each work-day so there is bound to be something that matches your skills.
By mid spring the water crowfoot grows rapidly in the beds and also clogs up the canalised stream. Pulling the green tops off the Crowfoot makes matters worse as it just grows more vigorously from the roots which get left behind. In the bed along the High Street, forget-me-not thrives in the shade of many large trees, whereas watercress needs plenty of light to grow successfully. The arisings from clearing vegetation are left temporarily on the banks or concrete bund to allow aquatic invertebrates to find their way back into the water. Ideally after 24 hours they are removed to one of the compost heaps to prevent the nutrients which they contain from leaching into the water, reducing oxygen levels in the beds and stream. There is a different flora on the lower site below the bridge. Bullrushes grow so well there that if not removed, they would dominate. The majority of these plants have already been cleared and removed to the compost heaps on this site. There is no chance that any of these species will be lost from the site. It is more a question of keeping them in check.
Des (Dix) is optimistic that the water voles are back and by the time this is published you will be able to ask him if he has recorded any nests. He has also created discovery areas in various locations on the Top Meadow to provide hidey holes for grass snakes and to encourage invertebrates. These will be labelled. At the end of May/early June, Tom Stevenson will be working in the Top Meadow with a group of Benson cubs to install bird boxes that they constructed. There are already about 15 bird boxes on the lower site below the bridge.
Following a successful winter season of Guided Walks, the summer season of Open Days at the Watercress Centre began on April 6 and will continue on the first Sunday of each month to October. Entrance fees are £2 a head with free entrance being offered to children and Friends of the Watercress Beds. Tea and cakes are served, either indoors or outdoors. If you wish to help out as a guide or in serving teas please contact Ann Truesdale on 01491 835173.
We were very pleased to be able to make the Centre available for the family and friends of Herbie Winfield following his funeral on April 27. It seemed an appropriate venue for a highly respected village countryman who had spent almost all his life within sight of the brook.
The next village teas will take place on Friday 25 May and then 22 June, any time from 2:30 - 5pm. We have also accepted a booking for the Ewelme Church Open Gardens afternoon, Saturday 16 June when teas will be served at the Centre in aid of Church funds.
Robin Peirce, Chairman EMC