Hello and Happy New Year to you all!

 I hope that 2020 brings you joy and peace and adventures to share – like getting involved in this project!

The next ‘Walk n Talk’ is Sunday 19^th January 2020 meet 11am outside school
 Wrap up warm, bring friends, dogs, coffee, chocolate!
 
We will be reviewing progress so far and this is the last chance to bring in art work for the MAP that I am currently working on. Since we last met on site, there have been developments on the hill with ‘Trim Trail’ components built into the area. This makes it a less suitable location for a seat so I am focusing on the entrance sign at the west end of the development.

   I like this open location on the left as you approach from Purton.  The grass area is set back from the path and road and will not be obscured by trees in the future.  It is visible as you walk, cycle or drive from Cowleaze, Upper Ox Hill, House Field, Marsh Close and Stepstones. I welcome your comments about this area as a first potential location for an entrance sign.   

    Photo Credit: Charlie K – Cherry Trees Class

Iain Green of Wildlife Wonder and I ran a workshop for Cherry Trees Class at Ridgeway Farm CE Academy in September.  Working with photographer Iain, the children took wonderful photos of plants, flowers, insects and spaces in the school grounds. I had this made into a book for the school to keep – if you have children in the school you may have seen it at an open day. 
There is another workshop planned for the school and an after school parent and child session in April where Iain will come again with his cameras and we will explore the public open spaces visually recording what we find.  Please let me know if you would like to participate  – numbers are limited due to the cameras we have although you are welcome to join us with your own camera.

The Community Orchard

Residents at the October ‘Walk n Talk’ on the top part of the site chosen for a Community Orchard

You can still be involved in this element of the project – there are plenty of ways to be involved from helping plan the layout, choosing trees, planting  and caring for the trees as well as joining in celebrations like the Apple Day in October.

We could do with a few more people to be friends of this part of the project –
Is there a fruit tree that is your favorite? Have you grown fruit trees before? Do you want to meet your neighbours and care for the trees? 

 Bat Boxes

This spring/early summer (after torpor/hibernation) there will be an open  Bat invitation to residents for a ‘Bat Walk’ with Mike, a volunteer from the Wiltshire Bat Group – May date to be confirmed soon. 
There will be a bat box making workshop for residents spring/summer 2020 – sign up now if you want to receive info about this – I need to confirm numbers to plan a workshop space for this.

 Don’t forget – the next‘Walk n Talk’ is Sunday 19^th January 2020 – meet outside the school, wrap up warm, bring friends, dogs, children, coffee, chocolate…See you on site soon

Phase One: Community Consultation – ongoing to February 2020 for the residents of Ridgeway Farm and the wider Purton community.