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Calderdale Countryside News - March 2017
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The new guided walks and events programme is available now from local Tourist Information Centres, libraries, sports centres, The Jungle Experience and Ogden Water Visitor Centre. The new programme covers the period from 1 April - 30 September 2017 and has a wide variety of walks, practical volunteering sessions, and family events such as the Native American Indian day on 21 April at Bankfield Museum (booking essential). Pick up a copy today or click here for details of what is planned for April.

We are always looking for new volunteers to help us maintain our sites and Public Rights of Way network. Volunteers can get involved in a wide variety of activities including clearing footpaths, building bridges, removing Himalayan Balsam, working in the shop at Ogden Water, helping with family events and working with schools to name but a few. If you are or anyone you know is interested in lending a hand, please contact our Volunteer Co-ordinator Philip Singh: philip.singh@calderdale.gov.uk. 
Steps at Cunnery Wood
Pat in the shop at Ogden Water
Bike barriers at Brackenbed
One of the most dramatic signs of spring is the annual toad migration. While perhaps not on the scale of the African wildebeest, thousands of toads make their way to their ancestral breeding ponds in Calderdale. Unfortunately, their routes often cross roads and that brings them into conflict with vehicles. The Countryside and Woodlands team were recently called into action. Firstly there were reports of toads falling into gullies on the new Sowerby Bridge road. 27 toads and 93 newts have so far been liberated. The second problem came about as a result of necessary road repairs near Mankinholes. This meant that traffic was diverted along roads which passed through 3 important toad migration routes. Temporary toad warning signs have been installed. If you are travelling on these roads, please look out for toads and volunteers rescuing toads! If you would like to help please click here.

There are an estimated 16 million gardens in Britain which adds up to an awful lot of land.  If we all make room for wildlife in our gardens then we can make a huge difference to species that are struggling to survive such as hedgehogs, house sparrows and wild flowers.
 
As spring arrives and you get out in the garden, why not improve your patch for wildlife?  Plant flowers that provide nectar for bees, put up a nest box, leave a hole in your fence to allow hedgehogs pass through safely or build a pond. Lots of things to choose from and many are low cost.  Visit The Wildlife Trust or RSPB websites for more ideas.
Elland Park Wood

A wonderful wood to visit in springtime is Elland Park Wood near the crematorium.  The wood is one of the best bluebell woods in the area and is well worth a visit in especially in late April/early May. The woodland includes some areas of Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland which are known to have been continuously wooded since at least 1600. On Sunday 30 April, there is a guided walk starting from the crematorium car park at 10.30 led by Steve Blacksmith and Peachysteve from Halifax Scientific Society.  Ring 0771 500 5379 for more details or just turn up on the day.
Calderdale Way

The Calderdale Way is getting a makeover in time for its 40th birthday celebration in 2018! Members of the Countryside and Woodlands estate team have carried out repair works to a bridge on the Calderdale Way near Castle Carr, Wainstalls. They replaced the hand rail after the original began to rot due to its exposed location ensuring walkers can safely walk the route.

The Big Spring Clean Up

Intrepid staff from Safer Cleaner Greener and Countryside embraced a large litter clean operation in early March. A truck of rubbish and fly-tipping was collected from Clifton Lagoons near Brighouse, resulting in a significant improvement to the visual amenity of this popular rest area by J25. Some of the litter collected was thoroughly unpleasant to say the least.
Meanwhile in Sowerby Bridge our merry band of Upper Valley volunteers removed an enormous amount of rubbish from Milner Royd Local Nature Reserve.  Pictured are some of the people who took part in the tidy up with some of the rubbish they retrieved from behind the waste transfer station!  The site looks far better after all the hard work.
 
None of this could have happened without the support of our volunteers without whom we would not be able to make such a big difference to our local countryside.
Tree and Woodland Strategy

Our team are currently writing a new draft Tree and Woodland Strategy which will be out for consultation in late April and early May.  The document will outline the way in which we manage trees in Calderdale and will help us to develop action plans which will enable street, urban and woodland trees be cared for in the future years. If you would like to be consulted about the draft strategy, please e-mail countryside@calderdale.gov.uk and we will let you know how to get involved.
Issue number: 1 - March 2017

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