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Autumn 2023 Newsletter download <click here>
It’s well and truly autumnal now, the Swifts have long gone, though Swallows are still being reported in good numbers suggesting they may have had a good breeding season but….
Here’s a reminder of the State of Nature Report – not happy reading
https://stateofnature.org.uk
We all need to keep working at this
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Despite the long hot spell early in the season we’ve had a great display on the Flower Bank.
Thanks to Liz Milner for photos
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The drab damp ‘Summer’ has meant the grass has grown tremendously. We had very successful workparties to do the main hay cut last month and will finish off the rest soon.
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Avon Wildlife Trust are setting up ‘Wildlife Champions’ to get more people actively engaged
https://www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/wildlife-champions
If you’d like to get involved please contact Lucy Byrne - ljwbyrne@yahoo.com
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Nov 22
The Flower Bank is awarded 'Outstanding'
by the
Royal Horticulture Society
Oct 22
The Good News Gets Better
All the paperwork is done – we’re back in business!
Look out for details of workparties SOON
Just a reminder that we are raking hay on St. George's Flower Bank this Saturday morning (1st October) We could do with a few more hands - even if only for an hour or so. Please meet at St George's Hill gate for 10am - let me know and I'll make sure there's enough coffee and biscuits! Bob Buck 0788 4400221
Helping others*
Even though we didn’t work on the Flower Bank, we’ve not been idle this summer.
*The Paddock: Brookside: Macrae Road: Hardwick Road; Penny Brohn
Extraordinary generosity
Two separate donations out of the blue mean we will soon have a new machinery
A replacement scythe-bar mower and a mechanical hay-rake.
More details will be shared when we actually get the kit.
South West in Bloom awards
‘Outstanding’ for 4th time!
The Monk Trophy for ‘Best Use of Native Plants’
in the whole of the South West
March 2022
Fantastic support for Local Nature Reserve
“It’s like the proverbial buses – you wait for ages then two arrive together!” enthuses Bob Buck “You may imagine my reaction -
about the same time that John Maycock was making a very generous offer of a replacement mower I had another call which resulted in our
being gifted a mechanical hay-rake as well.”
When Bob started clearing brambles from a patch of Primroses on the A369 verge near the M5 Gordano roundabout
it wasn’t obvious that this would become an important wildflower site.
Very soon it became apparent that a wide range of other plants was benefitting from the work.
That management, begun 30 years ago, soon attracted appreciative attention.
One of the first to show this was John Maycock of Brackenwood Plant Centre in Abbots Leigh. Recognising Bob’s efforts he made a donation towards running costs.
Since then the site has become known as St. George’s Flower Bank, an award winning Local Nature Reserve, much admired by locals, passers-by and environmentalists.
Being alongside a busy A road means working closely with North Somerset Council, who are supportive and helpful, as is Pill and Easton-in-Gordano Parish.
Apart from expanding on the roadside the volunteer team advises and helps on several other similar sites being created locally.
Brackenwood have remained supportive for the whole 30 years; “When I had another phone call from John” says Bob
“He was offering us a new machine. I was rather taken aback – he’s always helped us but this is extraordinarily generous!”
John’s view is “I’ve always admired the fantastic work Bob’s team do. This is showing our thanks on behalf of everyone who has enjoyed the wildflower
spectacle. We are glad to help.” As John was not available, the presentation was made by his daughter Clare and her husband, Chris Baker, who now run Brackenwood.
The machine is a BCS powerscythe which will make short work of the annual hay-cut.
It comes with mechanical hay-rake, which will speed up clearing cuttings. The rake has been funded by someone who remains anonymous.
Photo 1 - Jim Bolton*, Giles Morris*, Bob Buck*, Clare & Chris Baker
Photo 2 - Giles Morris*, Clare & Chris Baker :Bob Buck*, Noel Ayling*
*St. George’s Flower Bank LNR team
Do YOU want to be part of this team?
All you need is a bit of time and lots of enthusiasm!!
Contact
stgeorgesflowerbank@gmail.com
0788 4400221
October 2021 Newsletter.pdf or (MS-Office) docx version
Flower Bank's fame spreads
Giles Morris was submitted this article following correspondence with CLM about meadow management.
Because of copyright we can't publish it but we might be able to share a copy with you.
Conservation Land Management -
A recently published book inspired by the flowerbank.
A fabulous collection of botanical illustrations
By the local artist -
Updated Fungi Survey Update added
Briophytes Survey Update added
January 2021 Newsletter
Christmas 2020 Newsletter (.pdf)
Bristol One City -
Bristol One City is Bristol City Council’s inclusive and environmental agency,
has recognised St. George’s Flowerbank in their strategy document.
&
March 2020 -
May 2019 -
Click on image to download (.pdf)
January 2019 Newsletter (click to view)
Friday 6th April 2018
Despite not being in touch too much we have not been idle recently.
Firstly, despite the severe cold spells and snow the plants are telling us Spring is well on the way -
Secondly -
Update
Despite not getting full funding from Aviva (thanks for voting!) we are well on the way to paying for a trailer -
We have now become affiliated to Pill & Easton-
One local firm with offices at Ham Green, Wilmott Dixon, have given us a sizeable donation and have offered to produce a new leaflet as well. The leaflet we have needs to be updated -
Fundraising continues because we have regular running costs as well and, as yet, no regular income other than our monthly walks. That could change as we are in negotiations with North Somerset and a possible sponsor, who wants to put up signs something like "Flower Bank supported by......."
As you know the new Data Protection law comes into force soon; Noel has been on a course to understand our responsibilities and I've been sorting out the lists of names we keep on our data base. That alone is a major task.
Also in the background our new committee is working on a new management plan and agreement with North Somerset Council -
There will be no work parties for a while but once the haymaking season comes there will be plenty to do!
Many thanks for supporting Flower Bank
Bob