Recently two young trees kindly donated to Leap Valley have been ripped out of the ground and discarded by vandals. One, a Larch tree was lying nearby and has been replanted, the other a lovely Oak tree cannot be found. Why on earth someone would find this activity fun we just don’t know and it is so disheartening when we strive so hard to enhance the habitat of the valley. If you are one of the frequent walkers of the valley and see any such damage please report such to the contact for the Friends Group on the Website.
VANDALISM IN THE VALLEY
Several weeks ago a huge pile of wood collected by the friends work team as habitat, was thrown into the seasonal pond. Later all sorts of rubbish from the back of the houses in Four Acre Crescent was also thrown into the pond. The perpetrators of the second event were caught in the act. They denied being involved in the first event. They were talked to by four members of the Friends Group, invited to join us in removing everything from the pond and perhaps coming along to help in the valley where we could help them to appreciate the beauty which should be preserved. Unsurprisingly they didn’t take us up on our offer. We have had several attempts at removing it all but it takes the team away from more important tasks. If anyone witnesses any acts of vandalism please report it via our website in the first instance for us to take further action.
RENEWEL OF FENCE AND PATHWAY AT THE STONE BRIDGE
During the last week SGC have worked to repair both the broken rotted fence and the washed away path by the stone bridge. They have done a great job and we are very grateful. We do so hope the flood water will not cause destruction of both in the future.
Spring is here at last
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.
Minutes of our Annual General Meeting – 23rd January 2023
See the minutes of this meeting below…
Here are the results of the latest bird box survey carried out in the valley.
Work being carried out in the wetland – Part 2
Further to the October news item of work carried out to hopefully allow flood water from the Leap Stream into the Wetland , we are thrilled to show you the below photos. This shows that after the channels had been cut, flood water did indeed ingress the Wetland.
Yesterday this project was taken further. The Bund, which had become broken and incapable of holding back water in the Wetland for periods of time, was replaced. Coir rolls held in place with stakes and then planted up with Wetland species was skillfully constructed by a dedicated team. This should now hold back water in the Wetland for longer periods when the stream is in flood. This in turn will have a beneficial effect on the flood water defenses of the Frome river into which our Leap Stream flows. It will also hopefully restore the biodiversity of the Wetland which had been lost over a period of years.
Work being carried out in the Wetland – Part 1
Over the years we have lost the biodiversity of the Wetland due to it becoming increasingly dry. The Leap stream that used to flood into it, no longer does. So SGC have arranged for a contractor to dig four channels across the area to allow water to egress across the site. This will hopefully encourage the flora we used to see, into it once more hopefully also having an effect on the creatures and birds that used to call it home. The Bund which has been in place at the northern end of the Wetland to help retain water is to be investigated to see if it can be repaired, to once again be a functioning component of the Wetland.
Minutes of meeting held on 14th September 2022
See the minutes of this meeting below…
Minutes of meeting – 18th May 2022
See minutes of the meeting below…
Main activities over the last 2 months 13 Dec 2021 to 7 Feb 2022
Part of the hedge along the wetland was relayed and rebuilt.
10 New saplings including Alder and Lime were planted.
An area across the stream has been opened up to improve the view.
The Orchard trees have been pruned and tidied up.
The Dead Winterbourne Plums removed.
Trees in the Valley and Orchard have all been relabelled. They have also been weeded and mulched.
Bird boxes have been surveyed, cleaned out and repaired where necessary. Nine out of the twelve were successful.
Invasive Floating Pennywort and timber were removed from the pond.
The Friends of Leap Valley 
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