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News Archive

2012

September 2012

Stort Valley Meadows

Access for All project nears completion

interpretation board

The group's "Stort Valley Meadows - Access for All" project is almost complete. The major works under the main contract were completed in May and various volunteer tasks were completed ahead of the project "launch" and Wildlife Day. The largest task over the summer was laying the plastic mesh along the new path route through the orchid meadow. Just before the Wildlife Day HCV installed the two new interpretation boards, some conservation area signs, and the willow leaf sculpture which houses the Community Spaces plaque.

Having got permission to spend some of the remaining contingency money, the group is hoping to get 3 picnic benches of recycled plastic installed by early October in the picnic area by the western end of the path where HCV planted some trees last winter. The only other practical task is some remedial work on a short stretch of the mesh path to improve its performance in wet conditions.

Once all delivery phase works have been completed the project will enter the "sustainability" phase for which the group can apply for a further grant of up to £3,500. There is an "Asset monitoring period" of 5 years from completion during which maintenance and any necessary repairs are required to be carried out — Harlow Council, as owners of the site, have made assurances to this effect.

For detailed information about the project see the project page.

The Stort Valley Meadows - Access for All project has been funded through the Community Spaces programme which is being managed by Groundwork UK as an Award Partner to the Big Lottery Fund. Community Spaces is part of the Big Lottery Fund's Changing Spaces initiative.

Stort Valley Meadows

New Path opened on Stort Valley Wildlife Day

carved log with plaque
Councillor Jon Clempner with HWP & HCV members
by the willow leaf sculpture with Community Spaces plaque

A Wildlife Day was held on Friday 24th August 2012 on the river-side part of the Harlow Town Park (also known as Town Park Stage IV, or Town Park Marsh Local Wildlife Site). Organised by Harlow Wildlife Projects group, the event was to "launch" the group's "Stort Valley Meadows - Access for All" project, funded by the Big Lottery Fund through the Community Spaces grants programme, and celebrate completion of the works. Councillor Jon Clempner, Harlow Council portfolio holder for the environment, formally opened the a new section of the revamped path network in the area.

A range of activities and things to see was on offer: falconry, barn owls, giant tortoises, a wormery, kids activities, a wildife competition, and a guided walk. Local wildlife groups represented included: Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust, Harlow Badger Group, Harlow Conservation Volunteers, Harlow GreenTeam Volunteers, and Harlow Biodiversity partnership.

marqueegroup walking
Click on photos for a larger version (use back button to return).

Wildlife Day - Stort Valley, Harlow

Fri 24th August, 12-4pm
A Fun day for all the family, on the meadows by the Stort in the Town Park opposite the Moorhen pub. Lots of activities for children. An opportunity to learn about developments on the site.

Wildlife Day poster

Wildlife Day poster (321kbyte) to print.


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