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Friday, April 19, 2024
Email: contact@fosp.org.uk
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The Friends…. response to Gloucester City’s Council Meeting regarding the Silt issue

On the 25th of January, a small group of FOSP members attended a Gloucester City Council full Council meeting. Two members presented two questions to the council and because the petition had over 1000 signatories, a debate ensued. I would like to thank the person who initiated the petition, who also had a question put to the meeting.

The event was covered by Gloucestershire Live and here are the outcomes.

https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/gloucester-news/calls-dredge-smelly-beauty-spot-9065319.amp?IYA-mail=9c4f0482-b21a-41b8-81e6-f32403bcaa46

and Petition to dredge ‘smelly’ pond denied by council

As FOSP chair, there were a few positive outcomes from the debate. Two proposals were put forward and voted on, but only one passed, put forward by Cllr Andrew Gravells.

I would like to thank him personally for championing FOSP’s concerns regarding the build-up of silt in the balancing pond, which is currently transitioning due to succession from open water to wet woodland. Hopefully, in a couple of months, we will have some positive news to report back, but I believe FOSP and our reliable partners will be able to move things forward.

In the meantime, my research into how to manage our natural water resources has led me to https://www.stormwatershepherds.org.uk

Stormwater Shepherds UK was featured in a BBC Article about pollution from road run-off in the UK. This is important as the amount of run-off from roads carries many chemicals and pollutants into the national water course from the source to the sea.

On January 10th 2024, CIWEM launched their document ‘A Fresh Water Future’ at a well-attended event at the House of Commons. The document sets out 10 recommendations to improve water sector performance and governance, and it will help all political parties to craft their manifestos as the General Election looms, hopefully incorporating promises to act upon many of the recommendations. Stormwater Shepherds UK was pleased to be involved in the composition of this document in a small way, and we hope very much that the politicians listen to, and act upon, the recommendations.

You can read the document in full here: https://www.ciwem.org/news/a-fresh-water-future-report-has-been-launched

FOSPNR Calendar 2024 Order yours now!!!!

FOSPNR Calendar 2024 is now available. Order yours now!!!!


As Chair, I’m pleased to announce this is available from Pete Wilson or at our next Spring Bulb Planting event on Saturday 28th October between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Come along and meet the team, find out what we get up to, and be inspired too.


regards

Tony FOSP CHAIR

Petition to Gloucester City Council

What Duck ?

(PETITION CLOSED: As of 04/11/2023 we have collected 1239 signatures – THANK YOU !)

Online Petition to Gloucester City Council

About the petition

Gloucester City Council are the riparian owners of Saintbridge Pond & Nature Reserve (2004 awarded Nature Reserve Status, and the largest volume of water in Gloucester City’s urban areas) and as such are responsible for its maintenance and upkeep of ecosystems there which plants and wildlife depend on.

Residents and Friends of Saintbridge Pond & Nature Reserve (FOSP) are compiling this petition to present to Gloucester City Council to fulfil their ownership duties by providing a maintenance / business plan for the perimeter vegetation and foliage and to reduce the amount of silt. This will address the loss of wildlife habitats and eradicate the invasive species such as Himalayan Balsam and the Giant Reed which crowd out native species and reduce wildlife habitat.

The level of silt affects water quality, it reduces the oxygen* increases the loss of tiny invertebrates and creates a foul smell in Summer while the high water levels in winter are a threat to local buildings and life and upsetting the biodiversity of the area.

The pond was last desilted back in 2009 (14 years ago). Gloucester City Council have a duty to their residents, to keep them safe and to return Saintbridge Pond back to its original state where residents (estimated 1000 foot-fall per day!) can enjoy their daily walk for their health & well-being. The pond is a lifeline for many people.

Please sign the petition, every signature counts.  

    Date of Signature

    Privacy Statement
    Your details will not be shared with any other party other than with Gloucester City Council for the purpose of verifying your identity in this petition.  Data will be held securely for only as long as necessary and securely deleted thereafter. (FOSP – Data Protection Officer)

    Photos from 2017 + 2023




    Improvements in the Woodland

     

           

    Many visitors to the woodland have noticed that the lower path has been impassable over the past couple of weeks. This was due to the weather and the increase in the water levels, and the access to the wet meadow, which is doing its job. Water flowing down from the Cotswolds is creating a great space for the wildfowl, like the Teal, Water Rail who has been very vocal and the ducks. Even the Heron is back.

    At FOSP, we intend to use the former path to plant Hazel, Blackthorn and possibly some Oaks. In the end you will have a great vista, an ideal haven for meadow and water species of bird and woodland mammals.



    The new upper path by the seat was built-up and flattened out with railway sleepers and earth and Christmas tree shredding.  As Chair, I would like to thank everyone who has worked on the section.

     

    Thanks goes to Gloucester City Council for providing the materials, all the FOSP volunteers who worked on the laying of the sleepers and transporting the earth, and the Leyhill work party, for contributing to the project and hauling the final trees into place along the slope which are still there.



    We still have some areas of the path to cover and make it safer to walk on but we hope you enjoy the views across the wet meadow.  The fence along one side has been removed, so it is a much better, tidier view, new wood chippings have been added, please stick to the path.

    In closing, there is more to do around the reserve, so as visitors, we would like to welcome you to our beautiful green forest bathing space. When the sun comes out, it really does warm up.

    regards

    Tony B – FOSP Chair

    Chair’s thanks to the Friends –

    Memorial Arch Unveiling

     

    Last Sunday, after beating the weather in the morning, The friends pulled together a well crafted wonderful event with over 120 people attending.

    With the drinks and food to hand, we had a great response from all attendees, including our MP Richard Graham and our local councillor & supporter, Andrew Gravells.

     

    It was also lovely to see Anne and Barry, too, along with the rest of the FOSP team. As Chair, many, many thanks go to Pete, Marilyn, John, Jackie, Matthew, David, Bea, Graham, Barbara, and Lesley. I’d like to thank Jane and the rest of the volunteers for looking after the public.

    I would like to thank Bea’s dad for compèring the event.


    Furthermore, I would like to thank Missfire for pulling together the ideas that cumulated into the finished article we can admire for a long time coming, even in these difficult times.

    Again, thank you one and all.

    regards Tony

    Unveiling of Arch, 2-4 pm, Sunday 23 October

    Join us this coming Sunday, 23 October 2022 to Celebrate the Reign of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II with the unveiling of an Archway designed and crafted by Clare McHugh to honour the Queen’s Reign from 1952 to 2022.  Download a copy of the invite here.

    Everyone is welcome, Friends of Saintbridge Pond Nature Reserve will be present to answer any questions you may have about the project which has been awarded the Green Flag three times in a row after over 20 years of developing the pond and nature reserve.

    If you would like to join us in our voluntary work we’ll be happy to discuss what we do!

    Biodiversity Loss and Climate Change

    A scorpion fly at the reserve

    About 25 per cent of all life can be held in a cupful of soil. By September 2022, the world population exceeded 7.9 billion individuals. There are as many in that cupful of soil. These range from animals, plants, microbes, viruses, and fungi. Over billions of years, many have grown to be co-dependent with other species.

    This is the ‘hardware’ that connects every living being in an ecosystem.

     

    Fungal Hyphae connect Individual trees in a community who talk to each other, warning each other of natural pests and danger.

     

    Declining Biodiversity

    However, declining biodiversity can upset a balanced ecosystem, leading to fewer types of species. For example, since 2014, 14 percent of reefs have been lost, in the marine biodiversity. Declining biodiversity can also pose more direct dangers to humanity, including reduced availability of clean water, food shortages to reduced populations of fish. That in turn leads to loss of resources from forests, such as oxygen, plant & medicines. A loss of livelihood for communities depending on those natural resources, and tourism.
    Less diverse and healthy crop may follow due to a decrease in pollination rates, i.e. loss of pollinator species likes bees, moths and other insects. Follow this link to find out about some unusual pollinators https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/10-unusual-plant-pollinators-from-the-animal-kingdom.html


    Climate change forces species either to adapt either through shifting habitats, changing lifecycles or other development of new physical traits. Without adaptation, a species perishes.
    Ocean warming and acidification, rising global temperatures, expanding deserts, worsening weather, are some main drivers behind biodiversity loss. Others factors to take into consideration are mono cropping and pesticides which reduce are the variety of crops and insects aka decreased pollination rates. Deforestation can directly lead to losses when they have no other habitat and cannot relocate.

    Poundbury, a good example of urban planning

    One of the main causes in today’s society, is urbanisation and road construction, mostly through habitat loss and fragmentation. In 2000, 450,000km2, that was the amount of protected land. This is likely to increase to 1,350,000km2 by 2030. An integrated protection plan & response is needed to ensure all inhabitants are included in any planning or layout of any new development.



    FOSP’s role within the Nature Reserve and our small part in the big picture.
    The nature reserve is small, but we are working with our partners to increase the diversity around its functionality as a flood defend and green lung for the city. We have many supporters and will continue to promote the work that we are involved in.

    Get Involved 

    Why not volunteer with us. The benefits are good companionship of like-minded individuals who enjoy the outdoor activities which are never dull with surprises thrown in for good measure. Catch us when we are out and about or email contact@fosp.org.uk. We will get back to you. Catch you around.

    fancy volunteering?

    Who are Friends of Saintbridge Pond? Come and join us and find out!!!!!



    “We are a group of dedicated volunteers who meet twice a month and during the week in conjunction with our partners. Our aim is to maintain and develop the balancing pond as a nature reserve.
    Our partners are Gloucester City Council, the Environment Agency, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and Saintbridge Allotment Gardens Association. We work together to make the balancing pond more than just a flood relief structure.
    Overall, our endeavour is to make the site accessible to everyone, ensuring it is a pleasant and relaxing oasis for wildlife and people alike”

    As Chair, I would like to thank all our volunteers for the excellent work they put in each week towards keeping the reserve on top form. Now I would like to open up the possibility for our visitors to assist in our goals. Making it a relaxing place for everyone is above and beyond what the group can offer.

     

    If you are interested in joining us, we meet on a regular basis, or you can contact the secretary. Our social group is open to all so, please we love what we do at Saintbridge, perhaps you do too. We have an important open day coming up, so keep an eye on the website and social media.


     

    Green Flag Award 2022 and other musings……

    As I sit in the spinney, watching the squirrels go about their business, the ducks are found meandering in the still, cool, waters ‘neath the spreading Willow branches. The dappled sunlight streams through the foliage, creating a carpet of mesmerising bright yellow fireflies, playing upon the paths, dull surface. I think back to when the spinney was just an idea, a spark to create a beautiful space where local people could go, to be at peace with their thoughts, to walk the dog (or cat), and to bring the grandchildren to admire the wildfowl which began to inhabit this, soon to be, calm oasis. I praise those who have gone before me, who inspired individuals to ensure working teams for over 30 years. I look forward to the time I can hand the baton onto keen volunteers to continue our good work.

     

    My thanks and praise go to the teams who have made this place it is today. As FOSP Chair, I am proud of the work that the group continues to work towards in keeping the reserve at the top of its game. I maybe quiet, but literally take in the effort that people go to join in and expand FOSP’s horizons. We unfortunately have some individuals who go out of their way to treat the reserve as a dumping ground, but I feel this is more of a reflection on their world view. FOSP isn’t there to try to change people’s minds, though, but to appreciate what they have. The majority will win through in the end.



    So in celebration of the Green flag award 2022-23, I’m looking forward to Missfire’s art installation on site. After visiting the workshop and viewing some of the features which will be included in FOSP’s arch, it will hopefully inspire all who see it and become a local talking point. A must-see, just like the sculpture trail in the Forest of Dean.



    So to all those visitors, regulars and the FOSP team well done and see you around the reserve.

    Tony B Chair

    Hawker Dragonfly

     

    This little beauty was spotted in Barbara’s Pond. It was brilliant to see such a beautiful predator in such a small area. I wonder what other species are waiting to emerge?

    In the meantime, here is the link to the British dragonfly society. There is also a guide you can look at or download as required.

    https://british-dragonflies.org.uk/species/common-hawker/

    https://british-dragonflies.org.uk/odonata/species-and-identification/

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