It was good to see so many people at the AGM and to get a feel for how the group wants to move forwards. If you didn’t make it to the AGM, we will have a stall during the Lady Bay Open Gardens weekend on the 20th and 21st June. You will find us at 164 Trent Boulevard (Maureen’s garden) alongside the Notts Wildlife Trust stall. Do come and see us and let us know your views on the Management Plan, the group – or just say hello.

Other news:

Silt Trap & Reed Bed: The horrid but necessary orange fence around this area has now come down and the area is fine for use. Probably best not to trample too vigorously on it, though, as the plants are still quite young. Let’s aim for light use for a while longer.

However, if you fancy a bit of therapeutic conservation work, thistles are beginning to establish themselves around this area and we need to pull them out. Feel free! You’ll like this next bit: it is the way of things these days that I must remind you that thistles are prickly (!) and that it’s best to wear protective gloves for this activity.

Himalayan Balsam: The work party to remove the Himalayan Balsam will take place on Sunday 12th July. Meet at the silt trap at 2pm. We aim to combine this with a guided nature walk round the site. Children are, of course, welcome with an adult.

Suitable clothing: flat shoes or boots, gardening gloves may help. Bring a trowel if you like.

Donation: The Greenies group has very kindly given FrOTH a donation of £50 to support activities relating to the Management Plan.

We intend to use this to buy some bat boxes. We are also looking at the possibility of buying some materials for an event where children (and adults)  make bat boxes.

Look out for a possible future batwatch evening which we’re hoping to arrange on the Hook over the summer.

Fundraising: We’re always on the look out for good ideas to raise funds for activities and events. In the pipeline:
·    A social evening with ferret racing in the autumn.
·    A good, old fashioned jumble sale on Saturday 30th January 2010. 




Hope to see you at the Open Gardens.



Linda Adcock
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Linda Adcock, Chair, Friends of the Hook E: linda.adcock@ntlworld.com