RETIREMENT
Our secretary of
ten years standing, Ed Cole, has resigned as Secretary to the Friends due to
increasing ill health. We would like to thank him for all the many hours of
work he has put in on our behalf. Apart
from his interest in the conservation of the Nant Fawr Community Woodlands, he
is a talented organist and long-standing members of the Friends will remember
the Concerts he arranged for us in St Andrews Church.
In a time-honoured
phrase, he now ‘wishes to spend more time with his family’ - but in his case as a proud Grandfather
with new grandchildren to enjoy. We wish him a happy retirement.
We will need to
find a new Secretary but in the meantime Rhian Jones has agreed to undertake
the role. If anyone is interested please get in touch with Jane Williams by email
SURVEY OF THE
BOGGY MEADOW
SATURDAY JUNE
13th from 10am - 12noon
We
plan to make two surveys of the Boggy meadow this summer. The first session
will take place on Saturday 13th June and the second on on Sunday 30th August
(to pick up the later flowing plants.) The Boggy Meadow is the name we have
given to the middle of the three meadows lying between old Rhydypenau Wood and
Rhydyblewin farmhouse. As its name
implies it is wet in places and is one of the meadows with the highest
biodiversity so we should be able to identify a wide range of plants.
The
way in which the survey is done consists of a walk from one end of the meadow
to the other, i.e. a transect, during which the flowers observed can simply be
ticked off on a list. Several walks will be made at intervals across the meadow
– the
number will be determined by how many people turn up. The lists and
instructions will be put onto the website for downloading. This will enable
people to do the survey independently if they are unable to make the survey
days.The grasses, reeds and sedges will be done separately as these need a
little more expertise.
Meet at the Old Car Park at
Llanishen Reservoir (entrance beside 127 Rhydypenau Rd).
THE STREAM SHUFFLE
SATURDAY 27TH
JUNE from 2pm - 4pm
This popular event takes place in association with Cardiff University,
whose students help with the identification of the tiny creatures (and some
larger ones) to be found under stones and in the depths of the Nant Fawr. There will be microscopes to use to get
close-ups and the whole family can enjoy an afternoon just puddling in the
brook!
Wellies are essential gear and all children must be accompanied by an
adult.
Meet at the Old Car Park at
Llanishen Reservoir (entrance beside 127 Rhydypenau Rd).
SCHOOLS AND SEEDS
The High Schools and Rhydypenau. Lakeside and Coed Glas Junior schools
have received their Kidney Vetch seeds,
compost and pots. In the junior schools the whole year group (60 children) are
involved . Each school has also been given 2 boxes (containing 10 packets of
seeds) to grow in their school grounds. The seeds, all native wild flowers,
have been supplied by the Grow Wild initiative - so there should be some
colourful playgrounds in Cardiff this summer.
SPRING & SUMMER WORKDAYS
28th June - Work will continue on the repairs of the bird viewing
platform near Rhydyblewin Farm. There is also tree encroachment onto the
adjacent meadowland which will need to be removed and painting of the
kissing gates if weather allows. Meet at the main
Reservoir Car Park
19th July - It is time for the annual stream clean in the Woods Covert area so bring your wellies! Meet at Heol Esgyn Bridge
30th August - In an effort to spread the yellow rattle throughout the meadows we will be harvesting the seeds and locating to other areas. There is also part 2 of the Boggy Meadow wildflower survey! For the more physical we will be removing the laurel in Rhydypenau Wood. Meet at the main Reservoir Car park
REMINDER - Have YOU paid your Annual Subscription for 2015?
A big ‘Thank You’ to everyone who has already paid their Annual Subscription for the
year. If you have forgotten then please send your remittance to the Membership
Secretary
It is still only £3 per household - so excellent value for
money!