I very sadly have to report that on Saturday the 20th of December, around 18.30, some very selfish individuals destroyed the bench we installed by the stone bridge. It was used and loved by young and the elderly as a place to rest and have some quality time. One cant imagine why anyone would want to do that. It had taken a good deal of effort and the benevolence of the Downend Round Table to help us put this bench in place only last year.
Several residents have shown concern about a different level of water in the stream than they are used to seeing, especially around the stone bridge and are afraid the stream is blocked.
The Leaky Dams to the North of the stone bridge are designed to slow the flow of the stream, especially after heavy rain, to allow more water to collect and seep into the wetland. This means that the wetland area will not dry out as much as it did, which will help to improve marshy habitat for plants like the marsh marigold and willowherb. Dragonflies, damselflies and moths will benefit. Some of the birds that used to feed here like the snipe and water rail may return.
This is all part of the Bristol Avon Rivers Trust project relating to the Avon Flood Management Plan, to not only improve the wetland but to use it to help hold flood water back in areas around the county to prevent flooding downstream and into the city.
Please rest assured that this is being monitored by BARTS and The Friends of Leap Valley. It may look like the stream is blocked but at the forth Leaky Dam the water is flowing well.
Some of you may know that there was a fire in Leap Valley Orchard recently. Fortunately the Fire Brigade were called so only a few of the trees are singed and an area of the grass is blackened. It could have been much worse as the grass in very dry. There were young people in the area at the time hanging out on the bench which is what they often do at that time of day and later in the evening. We would be very grateful if parents could explain the risks of any sort of match or lighter at the moment when the grass is so dry. Anywhere in Leap Valley or any of the other parks are a fire risk at the moment. Please ask your young people to behave responsibly when they are out together in our precious open spaces.
The Friends of Leap Valley realised the need for another bench where the stone bridge crosses the stream. This is a good resting place between the other seats in the valley and also a lovely shaded spot under the tree canopy to relax and gaze at the stream and watch the passers by, just like this lovely lady did. We have to thank Downend Round Table for their grant to enable the purchase and installation of the bench. The grants are awarded using funds raised from the Bonfire and Fireworks event that the Round Table run in King George V Playing Fields in November. The community will now benefit from their generous donation.
Today while the friends were out on their usual work morning, we received the most wonderful thank you for our efforts from the children and teachers of The Great Expectations Day Nursery. They not only gave us a beautiful hand crafted Christmas card with a box of biscuits for our breaktime but also sang us a carol. To see these young folk enjoying our valley every much as we do is always such a pleasure. Thank you all so very much. You lifted our hearts as high as the tallest trees.
A very observant dog walker kindly sent this photo to us of a Slow Worm seen on a path in Leap Valley.
With long, smooth, shiny, grey or brown bodies, slow worms look very similar to tiny snakes. In fact they are legless lizards and are quite harmless.
Although found throughout mainland Britain, they are most common in Wales and south-west England. They are absent from Ireland.
Slow worms like humid conditions and emerge from their hiding places at dusk or after rain to hunt for food. They spend the winter hibernating under piles of leaves or within tree roots.
If attacked by a predator, a slow worm can shed its tail to escape, although it never grows back fully.
Thank you Philip
On a walk around our beautiful valley on Friday it was so good to see all the Snowdrops beginning to show through the leaves and grass. A sure sign that Spring is here.
Our ‘Chair’ Mary took these lovely pics yesterday to lift our spirits and show that Spring really is nearly here. We hope Mrs Mallard turns up soon for her beau on the seasonal pond.
The Friends of Leap Valley 
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