AGM Report 2024

Date: 29th April 2024

Another successful year for the Sustainable Bourne Valley, thanks to the many volunteers who help with Toad Patrol, Hirst Meadow, the Repair Café and of course the members of the group itself.

There has also been a revamp of the website, with much more information available all in a lovely new format.

    The Valley Toads

    We had a lovely crowd of new volunteers this year keen to get out there and get started, but the little creatures have had the weirdest year weather-wise since we began patrolling. They like to travel in warm and wet conditions, but it was either cold and wet early on or the complete opposite for the rest of March. Our numbers were right down to 159 toads, but we also saved 18 frogs and an astonishing 57 newts. We normally see 5 newts at the most. Our volunteers did 47 hours patrolling on any faintly possible night and were amazing even when there wasn’t an arrival all evening. We were not alone; all over the country some patrols reported similar unusual numbers especially noting the newt explosion! Let’s hope they have an easier time year next year.

    Hirst Meadow

    Last Autumn St. Marybourne school’s Autumn class planted yellow rattle seeds in the meadow to try and control the grass in the richer soil areas. Rose and Caroline divided the area into 13 sections with tape and painted bamboos. We prepared the correct number of jars with a mixture of sand and seeds and teaspoons to further mix the seeds as they were sown. The children were extremely meticulous so fingers crossed the seed takes. They also planted more crocuses on the bank. We have also bought some rattle plugs for the areas with harsher grasses, which were put in this February.

    Raking was very hard work indeed last autumn with the wet summer and rain falling soon after the cut. We had to have three sessions to clear all the cut grass. With the Parish Council’s support, we have increased our help from the contractors and they will in future cut and remove the grass spring and autumn, which leaves us free to look after the margins better.

    Wildlife Camera

    This has seen some use over 2024 with SMB school using on their school pond over December with great success. Lots of footage was recorded of several small bird species, ducks, pigeons, and even a hedgehog. The camera is again being used by the school at present on one of their bird boxes, which has some resident blue tits currently. The camera was also used on the lake but with little success. There are a small number of people on the waiting list for the camera over the summer that will be contacted once the camera is finished at the school.

    This was loaned once over the winter of 24/25. With a small number of people on the waiting list.

    Thermal Imaging Camera

    This was loaned once over the winter of 24/25. With a small number of people on the waiting list.

    Hedgehog Street

    Hedgehog Street was launched this time last year with information shared at the previous AGM as well as a stand at the Sustainable Day. Villagers were encouraged to record sitings of Hedgehogs around the village. Records of hedgehog numbers in the village remain low, although improved from this time last year. A post was put on social media to encourage villagers to continue to participate and to advertise use of trail camera to identify hedgehogs in your garden

    The Repair Cafe

    The Repair Café has had another successful year, this is all down to our wonderful “repairers” who come month after month and tackle what ever is brought in. We are very grateful to them all giving up their Saturday mornings and say a most grateful thank you to Andy, Leigh, Nick and Maria who comes with her sewing skills at the ready. They’ve repaired Hoovers, many table lamps, a clock which had been in a fire, a fire guard which needed welding, some items are pronounced terminal but many are given back to their owners who are delighted to receive them functioning as they should. Many jumpers are now wearable because of Maria’s attention.

    We must also thank Chris at The George for letting us have a room in the pub for every Saturday that we are open, we couldn’t do it any where else where we can buy coffee and our customers can sit in comfort while they are waiting.

    SMB Lake

    2024 has been a good year for working with the PC on wildlife conservation at SMB Lake. Work to the management plan is still ongoing but will hopefully be completed in draft in time for the next open meeting. Scoffell retained the grass cutting contract with the PC to cut the lake and are being closely monitored by the Lake Working Group. Progress has been made in that the grass when cut is now collected and removed from site helping to reduce the nutrient loading on the lake surrounds. This year will hopefully see the reduction in cutting close to the banks of the lake allowing a buffer to establish, along with improved riparian habitat. Further planting of plug plants was carried out at the most recent work party, with meadows sweet, purple loosestrife planted. Other tasks were also carried out including clearing the sluice and stacking larger sticks and wood to allow access for the mowers. Meetings have also been held with the Wessex Rivers Trust regarding repair works to recent river enhancements.

    Plant Swop

    These are increasingly popular, attracting extra people to the Sustainable Day. More people bring their own plants now instead of just buying them so we are encouraging the spread of food for pollinators in people’s gardens as all of mine are native flowering perennials.

    Recycling

    Lesley and Caroline have continued working on the recycling spreadsheet for the website. It is never finished as things change constantly.

    Head on over to the website for more details:

    We would like to thank all our volunteers for their help and support