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

A Frenzy of Fun!

Phase 1 Completed and handed over, on the afternoon of Friday 30 March 2012

Kings Norton refurbished children's play area is open for the first time for the Easter holidays. 
A very big thank you to everyone who has madep this possible.


Kevan Green and friends test out the new bucket swing

Little Lilley overcomes the new play challenges on the mound

What an absolute pleasure to see such a frenzy of fun following the opening of the childrens play area to the general public on the stuningly sunny afternoon of  Friday 30 March 2012. 

Lilley's friends race to join her

There are new pieces of play equipment, repainted and repositioned pieces too.  All are accessible to children of mixed abilities and there is something for all ages.

Whilst others take a more relaxed approach and enjoy a seat in the sun

Unfortunately the slide which arrived had to be returned as the moulding was imperfect.  A new one will arrive in about 6 but weeks time.   It will be position through the gap featured above which provide an exciting entrance.

Phase II of the play area refurbishment will include a new multi-functional climbing experience.  You may recall that climbing scored very highly amongst children of all ages in our consultation exercise.   This will probably appear sometime during May.

More bins and benches will follow shortly.

We have to thank

• Birmingham City Councils Departments (especially, Sue Amey, Northfield and Edgbaston Parks Manager)
• Friends of Kings Norton Park, (notably Chris Hughes, Lynn and Lucy Horsnett)
• parents and children those who helped and took part in the consultation (especailly Kings Norton Nursery ,Kings Norton Infant and Junior School for allowing us to visit them)
• Contractors (Darren and co-workers) for a such an horganised and clean build - and for working so hard to ensure the play area was ready in time for the Easter holidays!
• Birmingham City Architects (especially Alan Smith) for putting our ideas into design and ensuring a well balanced, exciting and safe design
• local ward Councillors for signing on the dotted so children could have the kind of play area they deserve.

Please forward any comments to the friends group at:  info.foknp@gmail.com

Little Lilley overcomes the challenges of mound