Great Ouse Valley and Washes Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Initiative

There is an exciting initiative to designate the Great Ouse Valley and Washes as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  A Working Group from neighbouring parishes is compiling the evidence to enable Natural England to make the designation.

The current version of the publicity leaflet is attached below - already out of date as the area now extends into the Washes.

The Working Group have also started a Facebook page and are looking to get as many "Likes" as possible.

The Great Ouse AONB Facebook

There is likely to be a open meeting in the Spring - details will be posted to this Blog.

Cattle

As usual Cattle and Sheep are now on the Meadow doing the 'aftermath' grazing. As you will see from the temporary signs, the Countryside and Rights of Way Act requires that dogs should be on leads near livestock.  But please note that there have been at least two recent incidents where the cattle have 'hassled' walkers - this is being investigated and new signs may be displayed.  In the meantime, especially if you are with a dog, KEEP WELL AWAY FROM THE CATTLE.  Also note that, if you are with a dog and are in danger of being trampled, the advice is to let the dog free.

If you are intimidated by the cattle please let us know by emailing portholme@gmail.com.

PS Once again, apologies for lack of activity on this site!

Spring Update - First Fritillaries and May Guided Walks

Firstly apologies for lack of activity over the winter!

It looks like the Meadow has survived the wet and cold but, like every where else, Spring is a few weeks late.

Last Friday (26 April) at least two brave Snakes's Head Fritillaries had emerged in the usual patch near Godmanchester Lock.

As part of the District Council's May Walking Walking Festival, Pat Doody and I will lead Guided Walks from the Countryside Centre at Hinchingbrooke Country Park at 1030 on each of the Bank Holiday Mondays.  All the walks are detailed at HDC May Walking Festival.

Talk by Pat Doody, Sat 24 Nov, 10am QEH GMC

Meadow Update

According to regular Meadow flora watchers, this year has been a bumper one with a wonderful healthy bloom - the wet 'Summer' has its plus side.  Despite the earlier flooding, the Skylarks and Corn Buntings seem to have done fairly well, but I suspect that, like the rest of the country, the insect numbers have been down.

It will be interesting to see how the hay harvest goes.  The conditions of sale require the cutting to be completed by the end of July.  Although the hay might be dry if the promised weather change materialises, the ground will probably be a bit soggy (has anyone known there to be a foot of water on the main Brampton to Godmanchester footpath in mid-July?).  The cut can be delayed a couple of weeks if necessary but it will be an interesting year.  The photo above shown one of the roads that was cut last month before the Hay Auction.

Barn Owls

Phil Rothwell and I have been enjoying watching Barn Owls over the Meadow. There were two last night from 8.30 onwards (one pictured above) - mostly hunting over the Godmanchester side.

Midsummer Walk

Despite the threatening weather, a few hardy souls joined Pat Doody for the Guided Walk last week.  Unfortunately I was unwell and was not able to be there but I understand that it went well and that there were a number of experts who had useful inputs that made the walk particularly interesting.  Some ventured to Brampton Mill and took the Ferry home after a drink or two.

Hopefully there will be more Guided Walks next year.