Welcome to the 10th issue of our News & Prayer Letter. We really appreciate your interest and support.
This third lockdown which we’re still in as I write has, I think, been for many people the hardest. It’s been a year round now since the pandemic began; most of us probably didn’t expect it to last so long; the winter weather has made it tougher and there’s a bit of weariness, both physically and psychologically. So we’re really happy that (though in a different form) work has been able to continue on the reserve.
This e-newsletter comes soon after the news of a national road map towards some reopening, starting with schools. In this issue, Reserve Manager, Mark gives some details of a provisional road map for Foxearth Meadows. We have a range of events pencilled into the diary, but too little is certain as yet to fix plans. We’ll endeavour to put you in the know the soonest we can.
Marsh tit (Photo: Albert Butcher)
Spring is ‘in the air’, as the cliché goes. I’ve just been watching the blue tits working on the nest box above our patio. I’m amazed to think how recently the snow still lay thick on parts of the garden and I was dragging coppiced branches out of the willow carr on the reserve with slabs of ice attached an inch thick where they’d been lying in standing water.
On the radio I’ve caught some episodes of Bill Gates’ new book, “How to avoid a climate disaster: The solutions we have and the breakthroughs we need”. He gives a road map out of the crisis that depends heavily on technological solutions. A part, but by no means the whole of the solution, I feel.
In the Christian year we are in the period of Lent, which gives us a road map to Easter. Easter is a wonderfully joyful and hopeful festival. The road to it isn’t so easy. For Jesus, it took a lot of courage, meant a lot of suffering and demanded the ultimate sacrifice.
The way out of the Covid pandemic isn’t going to be easy and the way out of the climate crisis will be even longer and harder. It will certainly require huge amounts of imagination, commitment and cooperation. The Lent/Easter story gives me hope. It tells of a God who made a road map of a way back to life in its fullness, as he made and meant it to be… for us, for nature and for the planet.
Andy Jowitt
Volunteer Community Engagement Officer for Foxearth Meadows Nature Reserve
24 December 2020
Conservation Grazing at Foxearth Meadows
Mark writes:
Foxearth Meadows is on the floodplain of the River Stour but has been much modified by man from the simple deposition of alluvial soils by the river. A huge engineering project in the 1840s saw the river re-routed at the northern end of the site as part of the construction of the Stour Valley railway line. In the 1980s, sand and gravel was dug from the site which created the two largest water bodies. A series of smaller ponds were dug in the late 1990s to encourage breeding dragonflies and damselflies. In between the last two interventions the site was ploughed for cereal crops. There is regular flooding by the river but water is also diverted onto the meadow from a ditch on the western side. The result is a complex mix of different plant communities responding to an environment of varying moisture content and soil structures and high nutrient levels.
After a comprehensive study of the meadow in 2016 it was recommended that we introduce livestock to graze the site to maintain the mix of open habitats and ponds on the damp ground. This commenced in 2018, initially using three Red Poll and two Dexter breed cattle. We have since decided that the stocking density for this small site needs to be kept as low as possible and we now only retain the services of the Dexters – lighter than the Red Polls and of a very even temperament suited to a site with regular visitors. We are very grateful for the mutually beneficial arrangement with a local grazier who supplies and looks after our animals.
We are able to control the extent of the grazing areas through the year using electric fencing. At present the cattle range over the whole site from September until March when we exclude them from the main wetland zone. This allows the vegetation there to grow tall, remaining undisturbed through the bird breeding and wetland plant flowering season. The current management means that the botanically poorer grassland adjacent to the river is undergoing change caused by preferential grazing and trampling to create a more complex mosaic of habitat patches (Sturgess, P).
These changes in plant species and habitat structure (and associated invertebrates) are being monitored as we develop a flexible approach to both grazing and mowing management of the grasslands. Our two Dexter cattle are therefore crucial to the nature conservation at Foxearth Meadows. Quite apart from that they enhance the riverside scene and would be sorely missed if they weren’t there.
Sturgess, P. (2016) Foxearth Meadows ecology survey.
AFTER THE FLOOD
An excerpt from an article Mark wrote in January for the local 'Parish News' magazine:
As I reviewed my field notebook recently, I noticed this from Friday, 14 August 2020: "thunder, lightning and downpour" and, "Finished early and left as huge flows of water are rushing onto the reserve via western ditch. Quite a downpour!"
Despite the drought, and heat of Spring, water certainly returned to Foxearth Meadows on a grand scale in late summer. As rain has continued to fall through Autumn and Winter, with the River Stour overtopping its banks on a couple of occasions, the meadow is now very saturated with large areas of water sitting on the surface.
This is not good for the diversity of vegetation I am aiming to achieve and has also led to much 'poaching' (churning up in common parlance!) of paths and the edges of the meadow. This damages soil structure and can cause compaction and loss of oxygen to plant roots and invertebrates. Our two Dexter cattle are a factor in this and, as I don't want to lose them from the site (they are part of our long-term experimental management), we must find a solution.
To remove surface water from the meadow, we will re-instate old 'foot drains' and dig out some new ones to create a system that takes away surface water. A foot drain is a foot-wide channel about a garden spade blade deep that allows water to move off the surface whilst still keeping the soil as a wetland habitat for its special plants and animals. This is a time-honoured method of floodplain management. We are not seeking to over-drain the meadow and destroy its special character.
What Mark outlined was executed over the coming weeks, and has started to work well in large areas, though there's still work to be done.
FOXEARTH MEADOWS ~ PLANNED EVENTS FOR 2021
Mark writes:
We hope to hold events such as: a dawn chorus walk; an evening bat walk; a moth trapping evening with a catch identification session the following morning; a dragonfly & damselfly identification walk, a national meadows day family event plus our two regular outdoor worship services. However, all our planning at present is very provisional and dependent on how national Covid restrictions change. We will do our best to keep you informed with updates to this newsletter.
We will take part in the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Wild in the Stour Valley annual nature day at Mill Acre, Sudbury which this year has been re-designed as a ‘moveable feast’. Our contribution this year is an activity trail at Foxearth Meadows where families or groups can book in to sessions in the summer half-term, adjusted according to the Government guidance at that time.
Here’s hoping we can actually start to get out into nature together once again! In the meantime, here is news from A Rocha UK about several online events.
- Nature and Climate webinar. ‘Nature-based solutions to climate change’ is a UK government priority on the agenda of COP26. But what does this mean? What are the opportunities and the risks? A Rocha UK will be hosting a webinar on 24 March to explore the issue, bringing together specialists, practitioners and supporters, to inform us, answer our questions, and steer us to effective action at COP26 and beyond. Please register via Eventbrite here.
- Online Eco Church Celebration Service. We are so thankful to everyone who contributes to A Rocha UK's growing Eco Church community, now standing at more than 3,300 registered churches. This number encompasses a variety of denominations and ‘area schemes’ such as Eco Diocese (for the CofE), Eco District and Circuit (for the Methodist Church) and Eco Synod (for the United Reformed Church). This is very significant, demonstrating that more churches - from leadership to congregation levels - are waking up to their creation-care responsibilities and joys! We’re looking forward to celebrating the people and organisations that have partnered with us in the five years since Eco Church was launched at our special online service on 26 March. Please do register to attend this free event via Eventbrite here.
- Online Supporter Morning. A Rocha UK is organising a Zoom ‘Supporter Morning’ on Saturday 22 May, close to the 20th anniversary of the charity’s foundation. This celebratory, informal and informative event will allow supporters to get an insight into our activities and the wildlife at Foxearth Meadows aswell as our urban reserve, Wolf Fields. You will be able to ‘meet’ A Rocha UK staff, volunteers and trustees - and hopefully some old friends and hear about our exciting plans for the next five years. Andy Atkins, A Rocha UK’s CEO says “Do try to join the Zoom if you possibly can: in this our anniversary year, we would love to thank all our supporters - longstanding and new - for their commitment, enjoy some nature together, and share where we believe God is leading us.” Please note: The Zoom Supporter Morning will now replace our two, previously planned, face to face Supporter Days which we are cancelling to protect public health in the ongoing pandemic. Please register to attend the Zoom Supporter Morning via Eventbrite here.
Please keep an eye on the A Rocha UK events page at https://arocha.org.uk/events/ for further events including events at Foxearth Meadows.
Female Stonechat (Photo: Albert Butcher)
MEET THE VOLUNTEERS: Helen and Jonathan
Helen writes: My son, Jonathan and I have been volunteering at Foxearth Meadows for a while now, particularly since the autumn when Jonathan’s college hours were reduced due to covid restrictions.
Jonathan is autistic and has severe learning difficulties but loves being active and being outdoors so the volunteer mornings have been brilliant for him. Potentially boring or repetitive jobs such as picking up and moving armful after armful of cut vegetation are great for him as he can see what he needs to do and can get on with it without having to be corrected or monitored too closely. And the sensory input of wading through flooded areas all morning put him in his version of Heaven!
For me as a parent, it has been great to see how much he has enjoyed doing this work and seeing him doing something genuinely constructive. However, what has blessed me most has been to see him regarded as a valuable part of the team and treated as a regular human being. Too often, those with disabilities are held at arms length and tolerated at best (sadly, many in fact face regular abuse) but the team at Foxearth Meadows have been brilliant in accepting Jonathan and welcoming him on board.
The bible says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord” - for some, this may mean rocket science or brain surgery, for Jonathan this means pitchforking large quantities of vegetation and not stopping till it’s all been moved! We are grateful for the opportunity to serve God in his wonderful creation at Foxearth Meadows and look forward to restrictions being lifted so that we can return.
From 'Six by six' to 'two by two'
Andy writes: Last autumn we were keeping to the ‘rule of six’. More recently, ‘two by two’ has been the pattern for our conservation volunteering.
Before Christmas we had found a good pattern of socially-distanced teams (keeping to a maximum of 6) working at the reserve on Fridays, our usual volunteering day. We were getting some great work done and keeping in good spirits despite the increasingly muddy conditions. Mark guided each volunteer through a personal risk assessment that helped determine how they worked.
Then came the new post-Christmas lockdown and we had to re-think. Mark’s solution was to limit numbers to one person supervising (Mark or myself) and working socially-distanced with one volunteer (or a couple). We’ve spread the work over several days of the week (usually Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) with morning or afternoon sessions.
That way we’ve been able to involve quite a few different people and keep the work ticking over. In fact, it’s been really heartening to see what’s been achieved; controlling blackthorn spread to coppicing willows, removing plastic tree guards, digging foot drains, cutting hazel poles and pointing their ends, shredding brash and improving paths, plus topping up bird-feeders.
The hard work, willingness and adaptability of our volunteers have been heart-warming and impressive. Thank you to all involved.
I have missed the camaraderie and sociability of our larger Friday work parties (*), but for me there’s been a definite silver lining. I’ve enjoyed some great conversations as I’ve worked socially-distanced but within talking distance of individual fellow volunteers.
I speak for myself, and hopefully for others, when I say that it has done me good to be outside, close to nature, getting some exercise, doing something worthwhile and getting to know some great people a bit better.
There’s a range of jobs to be done: some heavy-duty, some more light-touch. Mark’s keen to emphasise that he has jobs for people whatever their capabilities. Managing the reserve wouldn’t be feasible without all the volunteer help. Thank you … and our hope is that it’s good for each individual just as it’s good for the reserve and for nature. Please be in touch with us if you’d like to explore getting involved. Our contact details are at the end of the newsletter. (*) Mark adds that we look forward to reverting to the Friday ‘free for all’ volunteering sessions as soon as we can.
BIRDS AND DRAGONFLIES: Foxearth Meadows cards selling well
Our beautiful cards, using photos taken on the reserve by Albert Butcher, have proved popular. All the cost of production was covered by donations so all the proceeds can go directly to support the charity, A Rocha UK, which manages the reserve. With nearly 140 packs sold, we've raised nearly £600 already for ARUK. We printed 8,000 cards (making 1,000 packs!) so there are plenty left! Here are the details if you'd like to make an order.
BIRDS (4 designs, 2 of each) and DRAGONFLIES (4 designs, 2 of each) £4.00 per pack of 8 (envelopes included).
All funds will go to support A Rocha UK. Cheques payable to 'A Rocha UK'. Please add postage and packing if necessary as follows:
1-2 packs £2.00; 3-4 packs £2.50; 5-20 packs: £4.50; 21-40 packs: £10.00 *
Orders to: Andy & Jane Jowitt, 12 Fields Views, SUDBURY, Suffolk CO10 1BJ
(Tel. 01787 464010 / 07584 751093 or e-mail jowitts@btinternet.com) * We will endeavour to deliver for free to those within walking distance in the Sudbury area *
An update on two important national initiatives
supported by A Rocha UK
Churches Count on Nature (5th-13th June 2021)
This is an added dimension to the 'Love Your Burial Ground Week' promoted by charity, Caring for God's Acre and could include, for instance, a history walk, a community picnic or a conservation task. This year, Caring for God’s Acre is partnering with the Church of England and A Rocha UK to use the week as a springboard for churches to start recording wildlife within their churchyards, through joining in with Churches Count On Nature.
Express your interest in participating here and download a starter guide here. Alternatively, you can e-mail info@cfga.org.uk to request 5 free hard copies (per church).
Climate Sunday Climate Sunday is a call to hold a climate-focused service (anytime between now and 5th September 2021), to:
explore the theological and scientific basis of creation care and action on climate
pray
commit to action
The initiative encourages us to use our voice to tell politicians we want a cleaner, greener, fairer future at the heart of plans agreed at the forthcoming COP26 (hosted by the UK government in Glasgow this November).
The website here includes loads of resources, including: Service plans; Readings; Sermons; Music and hymns; Prayers and Ideas for young people.
PRAYER POINTERS
For those who pray, here are some suggestions:
We give thanks for our hardworking, good-spirited, cheerful and faithful volunteers, who keep on offering their time and skills and energy. Please pray for them and their wellbeing.
Please pray too for:
Mark as he finalises the conservation management plan, which will give us a ‘road map’ for the future as we care for nature on the reserve.
Paths in and alongside the reserve, at present very muddy and waterlogged in places. We are working on trying to improve them in time for summer activities.
Leaflets for the reserve. The Steering Group is working on these. Please pray that we will be able to see this project through to completion.
‘Social prescribing’ – we are exploring how we can develop the reserve as a venue for social prescribing, where outdoor activity and time close to nature can help people with health issues, mental or physical.
The events we hope to hold on the reserve later in the year: for wisdom in planning and decision-making, and for some great things to happen!
How about that! 'Three words' for the reserve
'What3words' is an app that can take you to any 3m x 3m square in the country. Stella, one of our Steering Group members, checked this out for us. To find the entrance to the reserve car park, here are the three words:
CHARM DRAGONFLY TOWN HOUSE
What could be more appropriate than the first two! Coincidence, or maybe 'Godincidence'.
A small prize is offered to the best idea for a connection with the third word. E-mail your suggestions to Andy at: jowitts@btinternet.com
