Big Thank You Big Lottery for £9,984 award!

The Friends of King Norton Park are thrilled to announce that The Big Lottery has awarded the group £9,984 for a 2013 project to help bring improvements and activity into its open spaces.

The Friends will be able to start to share this good news and ideas for the future with the community at their stall at the Kings Norton Christmas Farmers Market on The Green in Kings Norton tonight (Thurs 20 December) from 6pm.  

Lynn Horsnett, Chair of Friends of Kings Norton Park, said

“This is really super news for Kings Norton we are thrilled to receive our first funding award from the Big Lottery.  It now means we can purchase equipment, tools, a notice board, more bins and benches and some environmental study aids. This will help encourage more community active in our Park”



Early planning work on shrub beds



Lynn further explains

 

“Our Friends group first got active to save our rose beds, we realised people were really upset about the prospect of losing them due to cuts.  So with guidance from Sue Amey, Northfield and Edgbaston Constituency Parks Manager, our local rangers at the Lickey Hub and Sarah Royal of Birmingham Open Spaces Forum, local people were able to adopt them.  We have helped design and plant up new shrub in the beds and now maintain four beds which provide all year interest and pleasure”

 

“We are keen to grow and work with other local groups and schools to enhance our the Park and Playing Fields and peoples experiences. The Big Lottery grant will equip us to develop areas of our park and organise different types of activities.  We hope we can help to stimulate fun learning opportunities for everyone by exploring its facilities, natural environment and local history’





The Friends is a new group who have already helped bring about the refurbishment of the children’s play area and the restoration of the Upper Civic Garden (which included installing new stone benches similar to those of the Civic Society’s original 1920’s design).     They have also planted about 150 tree whips, a small orchard of fruit trees and are developing a wild flower meadow.

Ideas for future projects include:

·         A spring time community event,



·         Refurbishing the PODs in the playing fields into usable community spaces

·         Creating a wetland area in the former pond area

  

Membership is free and open to anyone in the community:  Email  Info.foknp@gmail.com



Winter tidy up in Kings Norton Park.

Tidy for Winter 

(and next meet)

Thanks to everyone who turned out to tidy up the shrub beds ... we extend a very warm welcome to our new active member, Uncle Albert who saw himself in one of our display photographs in Kings Norton Library and thought he should get involved.  The photograph is the one featuring our last park keeper.   

Having been weeded and turned over, the soil is now aerated and gullied to provide some drainage.  The beds are full of winter interest demonstrating why the original design was award winning.  

Well we ought say, three beds are, the fourth, the crescent shaped bed at the end, although supporting a beautiful slender silver birch is otherwise failing.   We hope to plant this up with plants and grasses that are very water tolerant at our next work out which is, as normal, the first Friday of the month, the next being the 7 December, usual time, 11.30 am.   We will also mulch.

Hope to see you on 7th if not before!

This fungi was found growing next to the car park.. any ideas what it sis?

PLEASE NOTE:  

Next Committee meeting has been moved from Sat 24 Nov to Sat 8 December at 11.30 am at Kings Norton Library.   There is farmers market on the Green and book fayre at St Nicolas place that day... please visit too.   

Please join us if you want to share a cuppa and plan your Park ideas. 

Urban Walkout to Clent (10 miles)

Chosen and organised by Dee Whittle of the National Trust, to highlight  the partnerships and off site work happening that connect the Clent Hills and Millennium Green/ Three Estates - including Friends of Kings Norton Park.

We joined an urban walkout which mirrors the activities of the National Trust Founder, Octavia Hill 1838-1912 who was a great social reformer, who used to lead mass walks from urban areas into the surrounding countryside, believing passionately, that;

“The need of quiet, the need of air, the need of exercise, and…the sight of sky and of things growing seem human needs, common to all men.” 

Setting off at 10.15 am from Millennium Fields Kings Norton, a group of about 40 people, from various groups in and around Kings Norton, walked a rural route down the tow path of the Birmingham and Worcester Canal, alongside the meandering River Rea, over the wondrous Wasely's, up to top-o-scope of Clent Hills and down to visitors centre, greeted by warm fires and refreshments.



A unique networking opportunity and a first country experience for some.


Many of us never having previously walked a distance of 10 miles felt extremely accomplished, forgetting our aching feet as we boarded the bus home.  

Hopefully, the future will see many more events in Kings Norton as the groups link up and expand their ideas and resources.




Thanks to everyone who either volunteered, organised, drove the portable toilet, prepared refreshments, were stewards or first aiders... and took part.

Perhaps you would like an urban walk out?   Drop us an email.

Want to join a walking from Kings Norton Park?

There is an organised rambling group (South Birmingham Ramblers Assc) who meet regularly in Kings Norton Park and offer a variety of walks  http://www.sbramblers.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/


Northfield Environment Forum have organised explorer walks in the constituency ... there is a walk on Saturday 15 December meet at 11 am at Rowheath for a guided stroll around Bournville, led by Maggie Sweet.    http://ncef.btck.co.uk/LocalExplorerWalks/NORTHFIELD

History walks guides by the Kings Norton History Society are available too from St Nicolas Place.

 A Living Walkway

Willow constructing at Millennium Green training courtesy of the National Trust Gap Project with Catch 22 and Positive Futures.

Thanks to Mandy's great idea and joint organising with Dee, and Alf Dimock's environmental training skills a small group, in a beautiful setting under blue skies surrounded by bird song and butterflies created a living walkway - from a few strips of willow, one year's growth which is about 10 -12 ft long (the fastest growing tree)  and a couple of rubber bicycle inner tubes; a group of around 16 volunteers and just 4 hours.

A mathematically challenging feat, because we chose to erect it over a wet path, as willows absorb vast amounts of water so have the ability to dry up areas, that stands in full sunshine but was on a sharp bend. 

We calculated a 1 (inside of path bend) :  2 (outside of path bend) ratio of willow frame stakes which were bent to meet each other and joined to create a series of arched frames.  After weaving a lattice formation, to give added strength, we tied in 2 parallel spines along the tunnel top.    

The result an attractive and very robust structure which will grow its own roof and sides over the next 12 months.  With a little trimming periodically this will produce an interesting interactive feature which will by enjoyed by all ages and hopefully heights!

A great day, a great lesson. 

Now we have the know how... if you have the will we can find a way to build something in our park.    This would need to be done between October and March time, allowing time to source materials and funding.  Contact me if feel this would be a good activity and you would like to take part.   info.foknp@gmail.com

A stunning October day, a stunning first event

Celebration of Kings Norton Park's 2011/12 achievements Saturday 13 October 2012.

What a fabulous experience delivered by volunteers from many of the environmental groups from across Kings Norton who provided entertaining and creative, fun activities for all age ranges and abilities. 

Joining them were organisations interested in a sense of community and providing positive experiences for everyone, but in particularly young people.  The Civic Society, National Trust, Guide Dogs for Blind and elected representatives joined in too.

Adopting a 1920's theme, the era in which the then newly formed Civic Society purchased and gifted Kings Norton Park to the City for recreational purposes, children took part in games, art, crafts and exhibitions.  The aim was to recognise the contribution of those who had such foresight and generosity and to share in looking forwards to a future yet to be created.

Activities ranged from







Kite Making, our developing engineers from Friends of Walkers Heath Park improved designs which had a 'high success with all the children and parents!

Guess the weight of the pig - a traditional 1920's game usually with a live animal, however, we much preferred the reconstructed pen and cuddly version, a heavy contender from Friends of Walkers Heath Park and Positive Futures

Den Making and bug hunting - in the newly cleared area behind the church yard. Ingenious dens were constructed and played thanks to the National Trust and members of Catch 22.  A world of discovery and mystery, fully embraced by all.

Thought Canvasses will be in Kings Norton Library for a limited period.  These were the outcome of activity by Positive Futures produced some inspirational text and images to ponder over. 

Flapper Head Dress making and Dickie Bows were added dazzle and glamour, artist flare fromnThe Millennium Fields Trust with bulb planting, baskets and preservatives too.

Friends of Kings Norton Park Logo Cake Competition and gingerbread decorating, an edible creation much appreciated by the hungry young, as were the sweet cakes and goods on sale from Guide Guides for the blind.  The Friends new Tree Trail Quiz was launched and tours conducted by Sue Amey - available on request.

1920's park laws (No thrashing carpets in the Park!) and street games from the rangers team and their caravan.  Amazing how much fun the children had from hula hoops, marbles and string!  Followed by mud bombing the wild flower meadow.    Not a battery or chip in sight but plenty of smiles.






Hunting for gifts and entertaining several aspiring Doctor Watson's was the incredible lookalike sleuth, Sherlock Holmes, who told us that this character was named after Sherlock Street in Birmingham.

1920's Photographic exhibition form the Friends of Kings Norton Park now in the Library.  Many thanks to the Library staff for supporting the sourcing photos and photocopying. Other exhibitions from Friends of Kings Norton Nature reserve selling their wonderful new every occasion photocards.

The unveiling of a lectern ceremony to celebrate the renovation of the Upper Civic Garden and inclusion of a new community orchard.  We heard from Robin Barnes Trustee and Treasurer of the Civic Society,  Sue Amey Northfield and Edgbaston and Lynn Horsnett, Chair of Friends of Kings Norton Park.

Following the pulling of the ribbon and a swift walk to the play area, the Friends introduced the community consultation that took place with local schools and families, and the work with the city's planning department, parks department and councillors, which helped to achieve an accessible play area for children of all ages.

The Friends Group had been presented to us by children at Kings Norton Primary School had produced pictures and stories about their thoughts on what they would like to see in their park.  These formed bunting around the play area.


Councillor Steve Bedser, elected Labour representative for Kings Norton, who's portfolio includes heading up Health and Well Being for the City was warmly received made a brief presentation too.

Thank you to our local ice-cream van Donatello's who parked up for refreshments, St Nicolas Place for opening up the Old Grammar School, Kings Norton Library Staff and everyone who contributed or took part in some way to mark this special day in the parks calendar.

Who knows what 2013 will bring?  One thing is for sure, if you join in, it could the thing you would like to see happen.

Contact Friends of Kings Norton Park at   info.foknp@gmail.com.

Celebrating Kings Norton Park's new facilities

Saturday 13 October 2012 between 11.30am and 2.30pm

Upper Civic Garden (area behind St Nicolas Church and the Old Grammar School).   

We are celebrating our new facilities by holding a small event with stalls and activities.  Expect to meet Friends of Kings Norton Park, your local team of park rangers, representatives from the National Trust, the Civic Society, the Council, and other local groups (the police and fire may join us if they have sufficient staff and few incidents on the day). 

We will hold a brief opening ceremony at 1pm and unveil a new information lectern. There will be also be an exhibition in the Library.   

We are aiming to capture a flavour of the 1920's do feel free to add your own. 

This Saturday is also a farmer’s market day so please pop along to the Green to purchase your locally grown, organic produce

email  info.foknp@gmail.com
blog friendsofkingsnortonpark@gmail.com

  Going Batty in the Park

noctule

An amazing turn out (Friday 7 Sept) of local families in search of bats in our Park.  79 people in total were counted, of all ages and differing ethic backgrounds, confirming that we do want organised environmental activity in our Park.

Senior Ranger Steve Hinton gave a very intuitive talk about bats dispelling some of the myths we have all grown up to believe - no they won’t get stuck in your hair and the phrase 'as blind as a bat' is really plain batty because bats can see as clearly as we can. 

As the evening chorus wains away the bats should take to the air.

The Rangers (from the Lickey Hub) led us, armed with bat detectors and a torch the power of a few thousand candles, around the park.    Some organised folk came along kitted out with their own torches and binoculars, even the smaller children, who enjoyed taking a more Indiana Jones approach, scrambling in the thick of it under the bushes and slugs!

A bit about how we find bats.  All photographs and the following exerts are taken from the Bat Conservation Website: www.bats.org.uk . Please visit it, you can get involved with bat surveys and even adopt a bat.

‘Bats use high frequency calls, normally beyond the range of human hearing, build up a sound picture of their surroundings. This system, called echolocation, enables them to wing their way through the night and hunt down even the tiniest of insects. Humans can usually hear echolocation calls only by using a device called a bat detector, which makes the bats’ echolocation sounds audible to humans’

We all waited patiently, as the sun fell behind the Scotch Pines, listening and looking for any of the varieties of bats  known to inhabit the Park.   We waited but with limited success hearing a small number of bats and seeing only one or two.  We moved along the canal feeder picking up a couple, then onto the banks of the River Rea. Here we soon realised the bats were skimming along the surface of the river,  hidden by the the of trees, out of view.   The detectors registered common pipistrelle and noctule:

                                                                    common pipistrelle

Common pipistrelle - Pipistrelles are the commonest British bats, weighing around 5 grams (less than a £1 coin).  A single pipistrelle can eat 3,000 tiny insects in just one night! 

Noctule - This bat has long narrow wings and flies in a straight line, very high and fast. It's our biggest bat, but it's still smaller than the palm of your hand!

For facts sheets on these bats and other go to http://www.bats.org.uk/pages/uk_bats.html#Nathusius 

Ranger Steve considered the reasons for so few sightings - one explanation could be that on this evening there was a lack of cloud cover which, when this happens at this time of year, causes a sudden damp chill in the air, resulting in the number of midges (those things nibbling us at the start) reduce rapidly.  In turn, the bats will not come out to hunt as frequently, choosing to conserve their energy instead. 

However, with the sky so clear it gave those with a keen interest in astrology an opportunity to identify satellites and star constellations - see below for forthcoming Lickey Hills Star Gazing event.  

Thank you for supporting  our event  Please keep in touch like. - tell us the type of activities you would like to see in the Park.

ON STARS!!!   LICKEY HILLS FREE FAMILY EVENT:   presents, STAR GAZING on FRIDAY 28 SEPTEMBER from 7pm.  You can enter a star gazing dome to view the southern and northern skies, ask questions and find out facts.  Other activities include talks, an opportunity to look through powerful telescopes to moon gaze and astrologists will be on hand to guide you.   Call the Rangers to find out more 0121 445 6036

NEXT EVENT IN KINGS NORTON PARK – SAT 13 OCTOBER 2012 11.30am to 2.30pm Upper Civic Garden.  Celebrating our new facilities, activities from the Friends of Kings Norton Park, Rangers, National Trust, The Civic Society and local groups.  There will be a brief opening ceremony at 1pm and an exhibition in the Library.   This day is also a farmer’s market day so please pop along to buy your local organic produce before or after visiting us.

email  info@foknp@gmail.com
blog  friendsofkingsnortonpark@gmail.com

Steve Hinton Snr Ranger breifing pupils 

Bee Wild

The Friends of Kings Norton Park, Kings Norton Boys School and city rangers have recently formed a partnership approach to environmental studies in the setting of their local park.  

 

Coleman Doyle, Head of Citizenship at the school agreed this was a great opportunity to provide a framework for the boys to engage positively with people in their local community and understand other ways to enjoy their open spaces.   

So far there have been two different sets of students, age ranges between 11 and 14 years old who have helped out in the Park.  That is, year 10 and year 7 pupils.

Miss and Sir leading the way

     ·       Year 10  pupils heroically litter picked 11 large bags of rubbish from notoriously difficult areas of the park.  They braved extremely wet and windy weather. 

·       Year 7 were luckier with the weather and able to take park in a mass balsam bash along the banks the canal feeder and to carry our first wild flower survey in our new meadow.
  


Joe Styles, a year 7 student explains why the Balsam Bash was held '

‘The Friends group and rangers have been trying to get rid of an invasive weed called ‘Himalayan Balsam’ in Kings Norton Park. On Friday 13 July our students cleared out big sections of this weed which will help other plants grow and the wildlife to return’.  

After the balsam had been eradicated (it was chopped, folded, stamped and crushed with enthusiasm), lunch eaten and the newly installed children’s play area sampled

it was  time to settle into the environmental survey.     

Joe Styles and fellow students arrive at the meadow

The flower meadow is a new an interesting dimension to the park created by a change to the mowing regime in March.  A natural corridor adjacent to the River Rea is being developed.  The soil has already rewarded us with an abundance of different varieties of wild flowers and grasses.   

Pairs of boys lined up along the length of the meadow 8 paces apart and studiously began analysing and filling in the survey cards, discussing their thoughts, agreeing answers and taking photographs.

Joe,  who also took these impressive photographs of some of the wild flowers, informs us

“Our results will be part of a bee study which is taking place all over the country. We looked at many aspects like flower shapes, density and colours, and searched for bees. We found many different types as well as wild grasses, meadow mushrooms and a common carder bee.  In summary, this activity was very beneficial for the school, the friends of Kings Norton Park and for the rangers. We are looking forward to coming back and continuing our work in the near future”.

We found working with the boys a real pleasure. It was super to see them enjoying the natural aspects of our Park.   As we worked we talked of many interesting things, from studies, local history, games, futures to nature.   An all round very healthy and worthwhile experience.  We too look forward to welcoming Kings Norton Boys School back to our Park.

If your nursery, school or group is interested in exploring environmental activities in Kings Norton Park please email at info.foknp@gmail.com

Activities at the Friends Stall at Kings Norton Festival 

Photo by Lynn Horsnett Saracens Head and St Nicholas Church

Friends of Kings Norton Park will be holding an activity stall at The Kings Norton Festival.

Saturday 14 July 2012 between 10.30 am until 2 pm at Kings Norton Festival 
at St Nicolas Place, The Green, Kings Norton, Birmingham.

If it is dry, we will outside beside St Nicholas Church alternatively if it is wet will be upstairs inside St Nicolas Place.


At our stall at the Kings Norton Festival on Saturday 14 July you can 

• Take away our Tree Trail Parks Quiz which takes you on a short walk through the park, guiding you and informing you about some of the variety of trees found in our park,  details about its facilities and a little of its history.  Its a simple fun tour of our park designed for families.  

• Make a leaf rubbing. 

• Talk to members of our group about what improvements and activities you would like to see or join in at our park. 

• View photographs of the park and its history. 

Anyone can get involved.   Our membership and events are free.  Come along, say hello, and get involved. 


Email us at:     info.foknp@gmail.com

Planting along the River Rea

We have managed to plant 160 whips along the River Rea Natural Corridor in two short planting sessions.

Thanks, Dinny, Claire, Lynn, Liz, Andy, Louis, Rachel, Sarah (BOSFA), Adam and Paul (Rangers).

The idea is to broaden the depth of this area's rich habitat to help ensure wildlife prospers and the experience of those journeying along the River Rea through Kings Norton park and playing fields is enhanced. 

We want people to continue to enjoy a natural feeling in between the KN Nature Reserve and the Historic Canal Junction, without taking anything away from our Parks individuality.

Amongst the wildlife which is established along our stretch  of the River Rea are Kingsfisher, Cray Fish and Water Voles.  As we planted we watched a low diving Kingfisher, listened to the singing of the early migrant Chiff Chaff and we were overseen by the territorial red breasted robin.   We  inhaled the aroma of wild garlic from the deep green ground cover which will soon spring into a carpet of white and absorbed the warm rays of the sun.  An absolute pleasure.

From a densely wooded area along the river we aim to create a graduation into a softer meadow of wild flowers and grasses that will gently meet the edge of the formal Park.

Warning! You may soon see a change to mowing regime along the River Rea area which may initially seem as though the Council has failed to cut a patch grass.   They have but this is at our request in response to consultation we have undertaken over the last 18 months.

By not cutting the grass we will be able to discover what will naturally grow along this strip enabling before planning which wild flowers to sow.  This was once arable land not far from a manorial mill so it may have produce corn or barley, or its yield may only be dandelion, thistle or clover.

Please bear with us it may take a little time to create our attractive Natural River Rea Corrdor.

Your comments and assistance in this venture are encouraged, so please contact us if you wish to be added onto our mailing list and receive details of planting events.

email:  info.foknp@gmail.com