September Newsletter

The summer now seems like a distant memory, even though we were fortunate enough to have a few nice
days before the latest rain. The next season’s work is now well underway with mowing taking place on many sites and seed collection progressing well (both via NB groups organised by Marion Wolstencroft and by the Rangers using their brush harvester). We will be working closely with the Rangers on these activities over the coming weeks as they are always subject to the challenges of the weather.

Now that we are in the main working season for all groups, it is important that we publicise groups’ Work
Parties as much as possible. Many thanks to those who have sent me their 2024/5 work party dates. If you
have not already done so, can you please let me have these, we can then create events on the NB website.

Following on from the recent seed harvesting, the next stage will be seed sowing, in line with the agreed work plans for the relevant sites. If you would like to be involved in supporting this activity, please let me know.

The aim is to coordinate this via the WhatsApp Group established for seed harvesting.
The final summer events and training courses have now been completed. This is the first year that we have run a full range of courses and events since Covid and feedback on how this can be improved is welcome. I am particularly interested to hear about any courses you would like to see run over the winter – for example coppicing, dead/ live hedging, winter species ID courses.

Recruitment continues to be an issue that needs long term attention, and I am working on plans to explore alternative ways to attract new members. If you would like a more specific ‘local’ recruitment poster, please let me know (so far, the only groups who have expressed an interest are Old Down and Daniel Park).

In response to comments over the summer, the intention is to establish a more general NB Mailing List for members of the various conservation groups that are interested in supporting events or working on multiple sites. This has been christened the ‘Roving Team’. If you would like to be included in this, please let me know (if you have not already done so).

This month, there is an update on the Local Plan and plans to build a further 5,500 homes across the borough. Any help in objecting to this would be gratefully received!

We also have updates on changes from a few of our groups. To save space there is no 3rd Party news or Nature Notes this month. If you’d like to include something in a future newsletter, please contact me via the email address below.
Best wishes
Gill

Latest News
NB Groups/ Our ‘Green’ Partners
NB Groups
Old Down – The Old Down Group now has a new Chair, Jenny levy, who is pressing ahead with the actions needed following the split from the previous joint group with Beggarwood.
Mill Field – After 20 years leading the Mill Field group, last month they bid goodbye to Anne who is relocating to a different part of the country. Anne leaves behind an amazing legacy in terms of both the site and the group. At their AGM the group appointed new Joint Chairs – Neil Sharp and Jackie Schuster.
Sherfield Park – The Sherfield Park Group ran their first ever work party, under the leadership of interim Chair Niamh Harrison. This had superb support within the community, with 20 members of the public (and 2 grass snakes ☺) in attendance.

Voice for Nature
The Local Plan, Local Nature Recovery Strategy & Planning
I was dismayed to learn recently that Basingstoke and Deane has been asked to accommodate a further 5,500 new homes in its Local Plan, this is on top of the 17,500 already planned. This is dismal news as it means that the local council is likely to have to allow building on all the sites previously rejected on environmental grounds and call for developers to propose new sites. It also undermines all the hard work that we, and Greener Basingstoke, have been doing to ensure that the final version of the Local Plan incorporates policies to protect our environment.
NB has written to our local MPs, challenging the new number, and seeking clarification as to how it is proposed that this is balanced against the need to take action to address the Biodiversity and Climate emergencies. A template letter is attached for those of you who would like to write to your local MP about housing numbers, the more support we have the more chance there is of our voice being heard.
Training Courses/ Events
Training/ Events – Dates for your diary

Waxcap Watch Survey (October/ November) – We plan to participate in this survey,
(https://www.plantlife.org.uk/waxcapwatch/), championed by Plantlife, at our grassland sites. Arrangements will be made with interested groups over the coming weeks, all members are welcome to attend.
Further events and courses coming soon……