It was a busy morning as we held our 3rd AGM for the Friends Group.
Many thanks to Huttons for supplying tea/coffee and cake.
Thanks to all who attended and thanks to all our volunteers.
Our guest speaker was Josh Childs – our Biodiversity Officer at Basildon Council, speaking about Beauchamps Meadow and the completed project. Plus future tweaks that can be achieved.
A summary of the Friends achievements during the last year:
Platinum Jubilee Celebrations: Bunting and Plaques,
Beacon planting for the new repositioning of the Beacon inside the gates.
Platinum Jubilee design for the Raised Bed in the Home Front Garden.
Joint Event with the Wickford Town Council to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee including a Lantern Parade for the children.
Helped to plant the Mature Trees for the Parkland Amenities area on Beauchamps Meadow
Helped to Plant 200 native Fruit Trees for the Community Orchard on Beauchamps Meadow
Creation of the Reflection Garden and planting the cherry trees.
Fields in Trust: Voted one of the Best Parks in the East of England
Organisation of the Floral Tributes for the Late Queen Elizabeth II around the Beacon.
Planting 260 whips for a Wildlife Habitat triangle in Beauchamps Meadow (and extra in the Wildflower Fenced Area- corner)
Organised two community days with Fords. Repainting the Crazy Golf, edging the new 7 Memorial Trees and producing to water sources in the Wildflower area.
Helped remove Himalayan Balsam from the River banks with the River Conservation Trust
Thousands of Spring Bulb planting to enhance the whole park.
Planted the Bee Sand Planters with layers of tulips.
Hosted VIP tours:
MP Mark Francois
Rev Jonathan Evens and Tory Melhuish clerk of the Wickford Town Council
Councillor Jeff Henry
Future Plans:
New signage for the whole park- Basildon Council Project
Grassland and Wildlife Surveys
Bat Boxes and Bird Boxes in the Giddings Copse(possibly a Raptor Box on the pylon-still in discussion with National Grid)
More Habitat for wildlife with Logs and Stumpery
More benches in the Beauchamps Meadow
More work in the Fenced Wildflower/Bluebell area- the wildflowers are not doing well, may need another plan.
Carved Animal Woodland Trail- Friends Group raising money for a wood carver to carve native animals.
And Natural England has proposed that Giddings Copse and Beauchamps Meadow be designated an Official Nature Reserve! Paperwork going through atm