WILDLIFE  / COMMUNITY PROJECT ON WHITEHILL.

The following page(s) are to be developed to show the progress made on the most adventurous scheme in recent years on the allotment site.

Despite attempts in the past to use some plots at the far end of the site for allotmenting and poultry, this was not very successful and failed due to the fact that these plots had fell so far into disuse that nature was reclaiming them faster than you could clear them.

The water table in the area is very near to the surface , so with this in mind and with the fact that in 2006 three small but wildlife successful ponds were put in, the committee decided action was needed to spruce up this section of the site and mark out just exactly what was and could be a 'wildlfe area' and see what we asa society could do to put this into use in the local community.

So over the winter of 2006 -2007 we sat down and knocked ideas about and generally talked a lot!

We came to realise that as the site as a whole, was in desperate need of more drainage and water main extensions and that these tasks would necessitate the use of a mini digger , and given enough time and help from the members we could include creation of bigger ponds into the bargain.

So the main tasks of the drains and water supply started, amazingly we had enough time over two weekends to have three ponds dug. The first one has been lined to provide a permanent body of water for the area. The second one was a top / surface water drain off for the far end of the site and worked really well, it ebbs and fills according to the amount of rain that has fallen on site. The last pond was a real suprise, when it was being excavated we found that the hole was being naturally filled by a spring bubbling up in one end, within three to four days it was full (that explained the high water table!). We ran a pipe to an exisiting 'bog pond' that has been in for some years to keep this topped up in dry spells, thus ensuring the habitat remained stable.

This was in March 2007, at Easter we placed oxygenating pond weed into the settled ponds and let nature get on with it. To our suprise two ducks took up residence within weeks and over summer there were seven ducklings , from an original clutch of 10, growing up on site. This turned out to be a real attraction for the members who took every opportunity to watch them as they explored not only the pond but also most of the plots on site.

A couple of the committee (Chair and Treasurer) even made a floating island on the spring fed pond to allow them somewhere to rest from predators.

Another task undetaken about the same time was to fence off the area and gate it. This was done by many of the members of the society on a voluntary basis one Sunday and looks amazing.

Now as early Autumn 2007 approaches the project is still taking shape. A delivery of logs from a local firm has meant that walkways could be defined and large log piles created to form yet another habitat along with a dry stone 'wall' area.

The project continues apace and more information will be posted once ideas have been actioned in the near future. Whitehill does not rest on it's laurels so please check back regularly to see what we have got up to........

GRANTS ARRIVE!!!  2007 -2008 (December - January)

Late in 2007 all the hard work the Chairman - John Grimshaw had put into applying for grant funding by compiling proffessional applications and chasing up resources and materials to ensure a good portfolio was presented, started to reap dividends, firstly the 'Local Area Funding' committee for Tameside, who the allotments come under, awarded money for the aquisition and refurbishment of a small portacabin that will be used by local groups and schools within the wildife area for activities in relation to it, such as pond dipping and nature studies.

Next came the biggest and best Christmas present that could have been hoped for - the National Lottery 'Awards For All' awarded the full amount requested of nearly £6,900 for the major decking access to the area, waders for maintence and pond dipping kits, duck nest boxes, bat roosting boxes and various nesting habitats plus other items to be used to improve not only the designated 'wildlife area' but the site as a whole...but wait..then the 'Greenspace Grant Scheme' came up trumps with funds for a hardwood dissabled access seating bench for the completed project.

So onwards again into 2008 - we will keep you posted on progress - now onto the procurement & actual installation of the wildlife related items!

MARCH 2008 -

The funds have nearly all been spent - most of the items,duck houses /boxes on the ponds - bat boxes / bird houses for the site are either installed or ready to be fitted (weather permitting). In fact the site has benefitted from a lick of paint as well - this has really improved the look of the buildings and the 'classroom'.

 The decking was installed in February and was bigger and better than anticipated, it adds to the area and increases access to those less mobile via ramps and is a good area to set up for a pond dipping session!

All in all it is finally fitting together and becoming what we anticipated - actually it is better than that!!!

The grants for the seating have all been used up with the committee sanctioning the spend on an extra picnic table to compliment the ones purchased with these funds, increasing the seating and keeping it all pleaseing to the eye by getting it from the same source. All these are FSC certified tables and the wood is from sustainable sources of course.

There are now up to 9 ducks on the ponds at any one time and with two of them being female we hold out hope that at least one will be bringing some more into the world this year.

Lifebuoys are in place to keep the area safe and over the next few weeks  we hope to put up some pictures on the website to show you what it was and where it is now - the difference is amazing - frogs are breeding in proffusion in the new ponds - this is the first year they have been able too.

All this is of course with thanks to the members of the committee who have given up a lot of free time on grants , purchasing and logistics and to those on the membership who gave up free time to help out and create something we are proud of and want to share with others - we are now in the process of getting in touch with local schools and community groups to ensure the area is utilised for watching all the wildlife as much as possible over the year(s)!.

It never ends - so keep coming back - there may be more to put in here or on the phots section.....

STOP PRESS...

The last week in March saw another grant arrive - from the Co-operative Membership Community fund to aid in creating a better parking area and access up to the entrance to the community project , by the purchasing of more sotne and weed supressing membrane, So off we go again!

John Grimshaw

Chairman

2008