Good morning everyone,
Apologies that my monthly briefings have been absent recently but as you will have probably guessed we have been coping with COVID, additional visitor pressure and a new set of Government initiatives.
We have remained cautious in our approach when responding to the pandemic. Protecting our staff, members and volunteers has been a high priority. Our on-line meetings have worked surprisingly well and for some events such as regular National Park Chief Executive sessions, it's resulted in huge saving in travelling time.
We recently had our first face-to-face event with all our members; a site visit to Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve. We fortunately picked a sunny day and walked down to the site of the new pontoon on Oulton Dyke. The pontoon has been installed and is now open to the public.
The change to Peto’s Marsh from an arable field to wetland habitat is remarkable and has been very successful in attracting a wide range of wading birds and dragonflies. 28 species of dragonflies and damselflies have been recorded on the site!
Our Rangers, Yacht Station and Visitor Centre, and Tolls staff are all incredibly busy with lots of new visitors and paddleboard owners out on the rivers. While not without its problems, it is great to welcome so many new people to the Broads experience.
It’s also been a busy few weeks for announcements from Defra (the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs). In May 2018, Defra commissioned Julian Glover and an independent panel to consider how we might improve the management of our National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs).
The Government’s Written Ministerial Statement in response to this review is now online here: UK Parliament
The government agrees that more funding should be directed towards making space for nature and supporting nature’s recovery in our protected landscapes. For details on the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FIPL) grant programme, see here: GOV.UK page |
|
|
|
|
Please see this month's Broads Briefing below:
|
|
|
Maintenance updates
- Our staff have done a fantastic job in replacing 21 of the marker posts on Breydon Water. This meant hiring in specialist kit and additional training for them.
- The water plant harvester has returned to the Upper Thurne. It has just been at Hickling to cut the marked navigation channel, including Catfield Dyke, then it went to Somerton and Martham Ferry. In the Southern Rivers it is headed towards Norwich on the River Yare.
- The Maintenance Team recently finished work on the 200 metres section of path that runs on the river ant bank at how hill between the Boardman’s and Clayrack skeleton windpumps.
- Operations Technicians and volunteers have been cutting back one of the sedge beds at How Hill.
- The popular permissive path From How Hill Staithe to the Clayrack windpump has now re-opened. It had become very worn in places. The path has been upgraded to 1.2 metres wide, which makes it suitable for walking on all year round and also for buggies/ wheelchairs. For pedestrians, this reopened part of the path then leads onto the permissive footpath through to Sharp Street in Catfield.
- A ligger bridge was installed at Cary’s meadow to replace one that had reached the end of its life. The bridge is about 7.5 metres in length and completes a circular route near the riverside on the site.
Rangers and Volunteers have been helping Ecologists with the annual reptile survey, to ensure that no reptiles are harmed during dredging work. Volunteers have also been listening out for bitterns on-site at How Hill and Buttle Marsh, and carrying out butterfly surveys for the United Kingdom Butterfly Monitoring Scheme.
Rangers have been extremely busy supporting boaters, out on patrol and escorting large work boats around the Broads system. Adjacent water checks and Boating Safety Certificate checks have all been completed.
We are working with the Drowning Prevention Group (which includes members of the coastguard, Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, RNLI, Norfolk Constabulary, BroadsBeat, the Broads Hire boat Federation and other partners) to raise awareness of the dangers around drinking alcohol on the Broads and other safety issues. We are running a media campaign to highlight safety issues in the Broads for visitors to the area. Here's some recent coverage from Anglia News.
Nature Recovery
The Broads Authority is working with a new board of farmers and land managers to help design all-new post-Brexit payment schemes, for sustainable farming and Nature Recovery. The Government aim to create a national network of wildlife-rich places, including the restoration of 75% of protected areas. The National Park boasts over a quarter of the UK’s rarest wildlife and although conservation work plays some role in maintaining this complex ecological balance, land managers, farmers and reed-cutters are key in Nature Recovery.
This year, the Authority, working with Norfolk Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG), has advised 14 farmers on accessing existing farm payments and on farming for nature recovery. As well as discussing different management options, they advised on educational access, fen and scrub management, woodland creation and re-wilding to create wider public benefits.
The next steps are to develop local priorities for Nature Recovery. The Authority is also partnering with global impact firm Palladium, who have expertise in the Amazonian biodiversity projects using private/public finance models. This partnership will help secure substantial investment necessary to achieve Nature Recovery in National Parks by 2030.
|
|
|
|
New pontoons at Peto's Marsh, Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve
|
|
|
Dredging progress
- Since the completion of Catfield Dyke, the dredging team have completed the second phase dredging of the northern reaches of Waxham Cut.
- The entrances to Haddiscoe New Cut were dredged and completed in February, moving 6000m3 of sediment onto the Raveningham Estate setback near Reedham, for future Environment Agency flood bank restoration work.
- Dredging is currently taking place in the Southern Broads at Oulton Broad. The Upper Waveney is being dredged from Beccles to Geldeston Lock. Both crews are expected to finish in early August.
|
|
|
The old phone box patiently awaits its makeover
|
|
|
Old phone box to be revamped
Could this Thurne telephone box possibly become the smallest Tourist Information Centre in the UK? The Parish Council had no practical use for this iconic feature in the village. After a revamp by the Authority, it will become a mini visitor information point.
Popular footpath re-opens
A footpath that had been closed for many years has now been reopened, thanks to a collaborative effort between Reedham Parish Council, the landowner, the Broads Authority and kind donations from local organisations.
The reopened path connects the existing long-distance Wherryman’s Way to the riverside and will allow villagers and tourists access to the river to appreciate local wildlife.
Read more on our website: Popular footpath reopens in Reedham (broads-authority.gov.uk)
|
|
|
|
New pontoons at Peto's Marsh, Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve
|
|
|
Exceptional voluntary service commended
Practical Volunteer Peter Cannell was recently commended for achieving an incredible 5,000 hours of voluntary work, out on the Broads.
Peter has been a remarkable help to the Operations Technician’s team since joining as a volunteer in 2013. Peter is not just a volunteer, he has become a valued colleague, sharing his wisdom, friendship and skills. Peter quickly masters any skill required – from brushcutting, through to constructing bridges, boardwalks and quay headings. He is also a role model for volunteering, helping guide new volunteers and support them in their work.
A huge thank you to Peter, on behalf of the whole Authority, for his exceptional contribution.
|
|
|
|
Peter Cannell, receiving his certificate for an exceptional 5000 hours of voluntary service
|
|
|
Blue-green algae alert
There has been a confirmed report of blue-green algae at Malthouse Broad.
Please stay out of the water and keep dogs under control in the area. Remain vigilant for signs of blue-green algae in other locations across the Broads.
Remember you can use the 'Bloomin Algae' app to report sightings and see if there have been any algal blooms recorded in your area.
|
|
|
Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL)
Are you a farmer or land manager with land in or near the Broads National Park/Norfolk Coast AONB?
Starting on 1st July, Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) is a grant programme for farmers and land managers in National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs).
The programme will fund projects that:
• Support nature recovery
• Tackle climate change
• Provide opportunities for people to discover nature
• Support sustainable farm businesses
We have guidance on the programme and details about the application process available on our website: Farming in Protected Landscapes (broads-authority.gov.uk)
|
|
|
|
New ligger bridge at Cary's Meadow
|
|
|
Please look after yourselves and remember you can contact me directly if you have any questions. If you know of anyone else who would like to receive my briefings please pass on this link.
Best wishes,
John Packman
Chief Executive
|
|
|
|
