Leap Valley took its part in the National Tree week 2020. We acquired and planted 5 new trees in the base of the valley. 4 Silver Birch and 1 Alder. With the threat of us losing trees to the Ash Dieback Disease we are very keen to plant several more trees whenever possible.
Work continues with our three great guys going out there in all weathers to follow the maintenance plan of the valley, along with tackling blockages in the stream. Our grateful thanks to them in keeping the valley looking so cared for whilst allowing it to remain ‘wild’.
The bin at the middle entrance of the valley was too small for purpose and was getting very rusty. A new bin has now been installed which is far bigger and this is getting emptied twice a week. We encourage all dog owners to place their dog poo bags into the bin and those with refuse to also use this new facility.
Our beautiful open space of Leap Valley has been a respite to many who are using it for daily exercise and soul lifting. In these frightening and frustrating times it does us good to get out and hear see and smell nature and know that normal spring events are still happening. There is so much bird song, enhanced by less noice pollution I think. Bluebells in the wooded areas are beautiful as are the Marsh Marigolds in the Wetland.
I have never seen or heard so many people in the valley and I am concerned that not everyone is staying within government guidelines of safe distancing. It has also been recommended by South Glos that dogs stay on leads at this time to prevent unintentional close contact with other valley users when they have to be retrieved. This is not being done by most of the dog walkers so perhaps take this on board if you can so that everyone may feel safe.
Our three volunteer hard working men who do such a good job of caring for our valley are unable by council requirement not to be holding work days during this crisis. Please everyone take care of this beautiful area of ours. Take home any litter, use the dog bins and please dont break the trees as has happened for no apparent reason.
We do so hope that this crisis is soon over and we can go about our lives more normally. Please keep safe everyone and do as we are required by the government and the council who have our best interests at heart..
Thank you to all you brave souls who went out to hedge-lay and erect new bird boxes on Jan 26th. The forecast was for rain and indeed it did come in later in the morning but you all soldiered on and got the planned jobs done. The hedge by the wetland was relaid where necessary and generally tidied up. The five new bird boxes made for us by the In Bloom Woodworking Group were all erected. These boxes are very strong and have the anti predation metal around the hole. Thanks guys!
Many thanks to Pete Denis and Pete ‘The Barn’ for their stirling work in creating a lovely strong bench down by the pond. This was made from the railway sleepers left behind after the wooden bridge was repaired. Its been on a long list of projects and what a good mornings work guys. Its such a peaceful spot and will no doubt get a lot of use.
If you have been up to the orchard you may have seen the new kissing gate where the stile was. The stile had rotted and was unsafe so the Friends removed it but it then became a concern that children or dogs could easily go out through the gate from the orchard to the road which does carry quite a lot of resident’s traffic plus some fast cars cutting through who shouldn’t be.
We reported this to South Glos. Council and we are very grateful that they have now installed a kissing gate. We hope this will make it easier than climbing over a stile and safer than an unprotected opening.
The Friends of Leap Valley 
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