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14th January 2006 - Goward's Meadow scrub clearing
August 2005 - Scouts and Schools join in
14th January 2006 - Goward's Meadow scrub clearing
Goward’s Meadow, Gressenhall, Saturday 14th January
Do you live near Gressenhall? This is a community scrub clearing day, with a bonfire and jacket potatoes - a good opportunity to work off some of that Christmas pud! Please wear old clothes, wellingtons are also essential. All tools provided. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Please contact us for the meeting place and then join us for however long you can manage.
This is why we are scrub clearing: Goward’s Meadow is a hidden treasure tucked away in Gressenhall village. It is an old grazing meadow full of colourful wildflowers such as orchids, ragged robin, lady’s smock, yellow rattle and bog bean.
The meadow is a feature of the old Norfolk countryside that has almost disappeared. Most grazing meadows have been agriculturally improved by drainage and the use of selective weed killers, or have even been ploughed and re-sown with more productive grasses. The rare wildflowers growing here show that this has never been ploughed. The site’s importance is reflected in its designation as a County Wildlife Site.
It is located across the brook from the Social Club and because of the springs and boggy patches it is a difficult, and in places dangerous, place to walk. However, it can be enjoyed from the mown path on firm ground on the near side of the brook.
Unfortunately the meadow has not been grazed or managed in any way for over 40 years and as a result, self-sown trees (also known as scrub) have started to invade the meadow, shading out the important wetland plants and also obscuring the view of it from the path.
The Wensum Valley Project has been advising the owners (Gressenhall Parish Council) and volunteers from the Gressenhall Environment Group on restoration of the site and giving support to achieve these objectives. Left to itself, this area would become woodland in a few years, with loss of the meadow flowers and general biodiversity. The best way to conserve this valuable wildflower meadow is to remove some of the invading scrub.
On Saturday 14th January, the Gressenhall Environment Group and WVP are inviting people from the local community to come and help save the meadow. It is hoped that this will also encourage more people from the community to be involved in future management of the meadow.
If interested please contact us.
August 2005 - Scouts and Schools join in
The Wensum Valley Project has been working with young people to encourage understanding and knowledge of the natural environment and to involve them in hands on management of local sites.
In June, 1st Drayton Scouts enjoy
ed an evening guided walk at local beauty spot Drayton Green Lanes, looking at
the landscape, geology and wildlife of the Wensum Valley. During two workdays, they then helped to maintain the boardwalk and steps that enable the public to safely enjoy the site.
On 4th July, 1st Beetley Scouts braved a wet evening to learn about wildlife and habitats on Beetley Meadow and Hoe Rough. The scouts will be helping with management of wildflower areas on Beetley Meadow in September.
On 12th July the WVP led children from All Saints Primary School Great Ryburgh on a field trip in the countryside near the school, where the children learnt about different types of habitat. Their teacher, Claire Lawrence, wrote “Thank you for an inspiring session.” Amongst the thank you letters received from the children. James age 9, wrote “Your lesson was really interesting. I hope you teach us again.”
For the launch event of Costessey Infant School’s new wildlife 
garden on July 13th, the WVP devised an activity for the children involving different types of native trees in the school grounds. Over 150 children (and their parents) took part in the activity, which included learning tree names by looking at leaf shapes. A letter from April Wright, (garden co-ordinator) said “Thank you so much for your tireless work. Your activity was very popular.”
By carrying out work like this, the WVP promotes understanding of the Wensum Valley, and encourages participation in improving access and conserving habitats.
For more information on recent work of the Wensum Valley Project, see the recent activities section.