Newsletter Edition 2 Winter Explore Your 2020 Colne Valley Local Resident – Sarah Jane Regional Park FREE

Lord Randall (right) with Colne Valley Park Directors Paul Graham, Carol Gibson Introducing and Tony Booker our new President Lord John Randall

LORD RANDALL OF has become President of the Colne Valley Regional Park. Uxbridge born and bred, he represented the constituency as MP between 1997-2015. His family is Welcome to 2020 perhaps best known for running the former Randalls department store in Vine Street, and he has previously served as a director of the CVRP in the Colne Valley Community Interest Company. “The Colne Valley is facing unprecedented threats, and I will do everything I can to protect this This year, we hope to introduce you to more of precious but fragile landscape for future generations to enjoy.” this wonderful, vibrant Regional park.

n our last edition we showcased some Unfortunately of the beautiful and fascinating places the Colne Valley Ithere are for you to explore right on your is a threatened, doorstep and over the next five editions we fragile landscape will tell you about many more. and we face a Your Colne Valley has so much to offer with huge challenge in countryside walks in local woodlands, country trying to protect parks, nature reserves, tranquil lakes, canals it. The highly and rivers, outdoor museums, farms, bike controversial HS2 trails, water sport and recreational venues, all preparatory works Robin at Stockers Lake. waiting for you to discover and enjoy. is causing more With so many pressures of modern life destruction by the day and ’s expansion piling in on all of us and so little time available proposals – including a new runway would wipe for ourselves and each other, our need for out the bottom third of the park, some 900 acres Explore our hidden gems outdoor exercise and relaxation has never of green space. Please see the back page for more Little Britain Lake, Cowley – an attractive been more important. information on threats to the park. area, with the River Colne and Frays running At the Colne Valley we like to think Sponsored by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) alongside the lake. Ideal for walking, fishing we have the perfect solution for people’s and other supporters, we are currently running and enjoying lots of nature. The site gained its outdoor needs to improve health and the, Landscape Partnership Project. Nineteen name because of shape of the Lake. Visit to wellbeing. We recently upgraded our website separate projects are currently under way, see the winter wildfowl migrants that spend and you’ll find it packed with information protecting and enhancing the countryside, the winter here. on the region; listing places to go, things to bio-diversity and wildlife in the Regional For more detail on this site, other wildlife do, local events and a wealth of detail about Park, and helping connect people to their local havens and nature reserves, please see our the park, it’s history, current activities and green spaces. website. www.colnevalleypark.org.uk and important projects which are enhancing Please see our website for more detail. go to our Places to go page. local wildlife and the local countryside – www.colnevalleypark.org.uk. www.colnevalleypark.org.uk

Early autumn also offered something for the Events flowing through the Valley grown-ups – photographic and art workshops were held where participants toured the Colne The Colne Valley is always keen to encourage Valley – from Rickmansworth to – community participation. Events are held throughout capturing the landscape and beauty of the Regional the year, and at Colne Valley Park Visitor Centre at Park. Denham Country Park, we have been running numerous Over the next two years we will continue to activities to engage children, families and groups of run lots of events and activities sponsored by the people with nature and their local countryside. Heritage Lottery fund and other supporters, and Events have ranged from Halloween trails (getting you will be able to find the details on our website, families out and about in the crisp, fresh autumnal air), Facebook and Instagram pages, and Twitter. crafts and activities to fire creativity and imagination, Please take the time to follow us and keep such as making spooky cobwebs with leaves, twigs and an eye on the website to keep fully up to date grasses, planting spring bulbs, and painting pottery jack- with all the Colne Valley has to offer – o-lanterns. www.colnevalleypark.org.uk.

facebook.com colnevalleypark | twitter.com @colne_valley | instagram.com colnevalleyregionalpark 1 Winter 2020 Edition 2, Colne Valley Newsletter INTRODUCING STAINES MOOR Colne Valley Regional Park

New bird screen and interpretation board

The River Colne

Short eared owl © Lee Dingain

“Upon visiting the site you will soon appreciate its abundant worth, be that the floral species present Making a difference on (importance for nesting and foraging birds), its historical the Moor significance, or its social Our Landscape Partnership project has come worth to the local community. together with Thames Water Ltd, the London Staines Moor is the largest area of alluvial Wildlife Trust and Spelthorne Borough Council Staines Moor is a historic and scenic landscape, meadow in Surrey, and predominately achieves to carry out important wildlife improvements covering over 500 hectares of open countryside. its SSSI status due to the mosaic of floral in the NE corner where Thames Water Ltd The moor is situated next to the Staines and species found there. Owing to subtle variations owns the land. King George VI reservoirs and consists of in topography, sheer size, and the river Colne, Adam Bolton, our habitats Manager, tells flood meadows and a pretty stretch of the plant communities vary greatly from dry us: ‘It’s really important to work together River Colne. It is internationally important for grassland to marshland-dominant species. on this section of the Moor, to ensure the wintering wildfowl and a site of special scientific Hugely important to both resident and maintenance and enhancement of this special interest (SSSI), due to the nationally important migrant bird species, more than 200 species site has the maximum effect, for both the habitats and species it supports. The Moor has have been seen on the moor, a great credit wildlife and community. been common land since 1065 and has a very to the site and the numerous dedicated The project will ensure the rare birds, dramatic and unique feel to the landscape. birdwatchers who record such sightings. wildflowers, fauna and insects that thrive here Lapwing, Redshank and Skylark are ground- are protected, and the special biodiversity will What makes the Moor so special? nesting species, utilising the site from March continue to flourish in this corner of the Moor.’ We asked Steve Price, Countryside and to July. It’s essential that visitors observe the Together with the project partners we have; Commons Officer for Spelthorne Borough conditions set out on signs on the moor during – Installed a new bird screen and Council to tell us more… this time, sticking to the paths and keeping dogs interpretation board. under close control. Summer may bring a rare – Removed rubbish and abandoned vehicles. Steve Price and Adam Bolton testing the new bird screen. sighting of a hobby and in Winter, water pipits, – Installed new fencing and introduced snipes and the occasional short-eared owl can grazing cows. be spotted – Protected the biodiversity and historic The moor has remained relatively character through habitat works. undisturbed for centuries, allowing the oldest Our River Rangers have also completed health ant hills (the yellow meadow ant) known in and protection surveys of the River Colne at the UK to remain for nearly 200 years. The the Moor. landscape brings a rare sense of openness and rural surroundings in an otherwise urban To visit, download, the Staines Moor walk from setting, it’s value and importance continues the Things To Do page at colnevalleypark.org.uk. to grow”. The project is funded by Thames Water Ltd, HLF and the Heathrow Community Trust.

Water vole A lifeline for water voles Heritage Lottery fund and The Colne Valley © Paul Thrush Regional Park Additional Mitigation Fund. It is sad to think that the once prevalent water “Water voles are very important for all vole could disappear from our water courses wetland wildlife, as they are at the bottom of the altogether in the future, if current rates of food chain and therefore support many other decline in numbers continue. The water vole species in turn. Water voles are one of nature’s is an important part of our wildlife heritage engineers and a vital part of river ecosystems and it is now the UK’s most rapidly declining and biodiversity. Their burrowing, feeding and mammal. movements help to sculpt our riverbanks and can By the end of the 1990s we had lost more than create conditions for other animals and plants 90% of our nation’s water voles*. to thrive. They are under serious threat due to Gavin Bennett who works on the water vole habitat loss, water abstraction and predation by project on behalf of HMWT, tells us why this the non-native American mink. We have important project has been supported by the been working to try and reduce their decline and together with the partners and landowners we hope to enhance river corridors, expand surveying for water voles, and establish new mink monitoring schemes. The good news is water vole surveys during 2019 over 34km of water ways have found evidence of the voles in previous unrecorded areas.” Please visit our website www. colnevalleypark.org.uk if you would like

to read more about this and our other Volunteers removing a non-native invasive species (Himalayan Gavin Bennett © Josh Kubale projects, which help local wildlife. Balsam), which destroy the water *People’s trust for endangered species October 2019. voles habitats in the winter.

2 Did you know you can buy an annual car parking pass for Denham Country Park, Black Country Park and Langley Country Park? It will only cost you £50, please visit – www.buckscc.gov.uk/countryparks. Colne Valley Newsletter, Edition 2, Winter 2020 Let’s get walking, let’s get exploring…

In our first edition we introduced our 18 maps and learning about local history on the circular walks, spread across the valley. route, especially with the family. These walks The Colne Valley After reading about them, Oona and Stephen are a great way to get everyone outdoors and Regional Park Hempenstall from , decided to give active this year”, said.Oona. them a try. “We enjoy walking and wanted Ryan Williams on behalf of the occupational Forty three square miles of water, green some new ideas of places to go, so we decided therapy team for CNWL Mental Health NHS spaces, woodland, farmland and villages to try a selection over a few months. It is great Foundation Trust, told us why walking in from Rickmansworth in the north of the to visit different locations across the park and the countryside is so important for all of valley, down to Staines in the south. see the wildlife and changes in scenery along us. ‘Walking is a great way to improve your The first large taste of countryside to the the way. It has been good fun following the physical and mental wellbeing. It’s free, can West of London, with 18 circular walks across help burn extra calories and has a low impact the valley for you to enjoy the contrasts in the on your body. Going for a walk is especially Regional Park. good when you have a lot on your mind, as it Circular walk locations has been shown to reduce stress, as well as reducing your blood pressure and heart rate’. “Stephen, really liked trying the pubs and cafes that are ‘If you’re feeling low, exercise marked on the maps and such as walking releases the feel- made sure we picked a good endorphins, which can boost different place to try each your mood and energy levels time, which saved us both by as much as 65%. Walking cooking, so I was delighted outdoors and in our green too!” said Oona. spaces is a good way to get away from our everyday stresses and gives you the opportunity to be ‘in the moment. This is particularly important in our current society where we are consistently distracted by TV, work and social media.’ Our 18 circular walks are available to print on, Things to do at www.colnevalleypark.org.uk/things- to-do-2/walks

Seasonal Places to go

The Colne Valley Trail

Take an interesting and tranquil walk along the Grand Union Canal. You’ll see plenty of wildlife, colourful boats and views of the countryside, as well as learning about the many locks and historical buildings along the route. . You could even take a narrow boat trip to really relax, as well as dropping in at the rural cafes and pubs you will find along the way. The trail is best enjoyed from Uxbridge or Denham to Langley Park Rickmansworth. Visit our website – you can find the details on colnevalleypark. Perfect for a family wander, Langley Park has beautiful green open org.uk/things-to-do-2/walks spaces and is a special haven for lots of wildlife. You can enjoy the wonderful tree and history trail, burn off some Winter woodland walks energy in the children’s playground, take in the view of Windsor castle, visit the lake and arboretum and finish off with a well deserved treat in Enjoy spotting the fungi, animal tracks, colourful berries, woodland the park’s lovely café. Langley Park offers a great day out for young and wildlife or winter snowdrops you can see along the way and crunch old alike. See our website for more detail. Parking charges apply. through the piles of fallen leaves. You can create some great art with nature’s fallen gifts (see our competition on the back page). The Colne Valley Regional Park, has many wonderful woodlands, Springtime bluebell walks including Bayhurst Woods (), Old Park Wood (), Northmoor Hill Wood (Denham) or Caps Wood, (Denham). Our country There is something very special parks and nature reserves also have woods. See our Places To Go page on about the stunning blanket of our website for more details. bluebells in a natural woodland. Remember to wrap up warm and take time to soak up the sights, We have a number of sounds and tranquillity of the woods this season. woods you can visit locally in order to see this gorgeous Bayhurst Woods (Ruislip) spectacle, but be warned – they don’t last for long. Typically, bluebells appear from mid-April to late May, depending on the weather. Plan ahead and put the dates in your diary so you can capture some unique moments and Old Park Wood (Harefield) photos. We recommend any of the aforementioned woodlands for making the most of bluebells.

Denham Country Park Café – Tea time offer – Monday to Friday 2 till 3pm have a cup of tea and slice of cake for £3.50. 3 Denham walk for wildlife and water with Chris Packham

n December 29, over 1,000 people turned out for a peaceful protest Owalk against HS2 organised by campaigners at Denham Country Park, Local Resident – Sarah Jane to hear more about the destruction being caused by the controversial railway project.Speakers included wildlife campaigner Chris Packham, Colne Valley Regional Park President, Lord Randall of Uxbridge, Sarah Green and Mark Kier of the Green Party. up at Blackford pumping station in Harefield, They told the crowds of the widespread which faces closure. This was a well-supported destruction being wrought by HS2 preparatory protest, with a lively, upbeat atmosphere, and a work – the loss of thousands of trees, habitats clear message urging the government to scrap and wildlife in the Colne Valley, as well as the HS2 altogether. pollution posed to precious chalk aquifers Sarah Jane from Uxbridge, took part in the and the drinking water supply by protest. She said: “Like so many local

pile-driving work.Lord Randall people, I know HS2 is coming, but I Lord Randall (right) with said the Colne Valley Regional wasn’t really aware of what the Colne Valley Park Directors Paul Graham, Carol Gibson Park has fought HS2 since the impact could be, so I came to and Tony Booker beginning, pointing out that learn. I have to say I’m really not only local environment shocked about the scale of devastating affects on our rivers and fragile and wildlife are suffering, the devastation to the local chalk streams. When you learn more about but also many businesses. environment, and that there the risks of what could happen to our local People are losing their is a threat of our drinking environment, it really is quite upsetting.” homes, and the area is being water being polluted. I didn’t If you would like to join the protest, please go permanently marred. The Chris Packham realise that the tunnel drilling to standforthetrees.org. For more information protesters walked through will require millions of litres on HS2 in the Colne Valley Regional Park and Denham Country Park to view the of water every day. This pressure our opposition, go to colnevalleypark.org.uk/ damage caused by HS2, and finished on our water sources could have threats-to-the-colne-valley

#visitcolnevalley or #explorecolnevalley for Glistening Inkcaps © Keith Pursall Nature Snaps and Twitter or Facebook. competition time… We would love to see them and will be awarding a prize of tea and cake for four at Denham Here are a few of the sightings around the Country Park Café for our favourite entry, sent in park in recent months. before the end of April 2020. Please email us at the address below with Please see below the reindeer creation from your photos and art creations or include leaves for some inspiration.

Kingfisher at Denham Country Park Tufted Duck at Maple Cross Nature Reserve © Steve Carter

Volunteer with us Become a Colne Valley Friend Events

Are you interested in helping to make a Would you like to help us protect and Are you interested in hearing about our difference for nature and the countryside? enhance the Colne Valley Park? events? Come along to one of our projects, meet new There is strength in numbers and your We regularly run events and some are free. people, learn new skills and enjoy yourself membership adds weight to our endeavours. They vary from walks and talks to children’s while giving nature a boost. Please consider joining the Friends benefits activities and from adult workshops to outside We have lots of river, woodland and nature include: wildlife group events. reserve projects where help is really needed. – Invitations to events and guided walks Please check our website, Facebook page Come and get outdoor active, closer to – Opportunities to volunteer locally and Twitter for updates or email us at nature and help your local environment. – Regular newsletters and information. [email protected] to sign up Check our website for details or email us at Please see our website colnevalleypark.org.uk to our newsletter. [email protected] become-a-champion or send us an email.

With thanks to our corporate supporters The Colne Valley Park Community With thanks to: Buckinghamshire Mitigation Funds for their continued commitment to Interest Company represents 70 County Council, Chiltern District Council, Some readers have told us: Lakeside Energy from Waste, member organisations. Each of Colnbrook with Poyle Parish Council, us they were surprised to see we have Red Squirrel Brewing Co. and these organisations and our financial Denham Parish Council, Friends of received some mitigation funding from contributors support the six objectives of the Colne Valley Park, Iver & District HS2, despite our opposition to the project. the Colne Valley Regional Park: Countryside Association, Iver Parish HS2 is obliged to provide funding to – To maintain and enhance the Council, London Borough of compensate for its considerable impact landscape and South Bucks District Council, for on the local countryside, and we make – To safeguard the countryside their financial contributions. no apology for applying for those funds – To conserve and enhance Biodiversity where applicable. You can find our Newsletter sponsors – To provide opportunities for position statement on HS2 on our website, countryside recreation in the Safeguarding the Countryside – To provide a vibrant and sustainable section. If you have any further questions, rural economy please email us at colnevalley@ – To encourage community groundwork.org.uk participation

Website: www.colnevalleypark.org.uk | Email: [email protected] | facebook.com colnevalleypark | twitter.com colne_valley Tel: 01895-832662 4 Address: Groundwork South, Colne Valley Park Visitor Centre, Denham Court Drive, Denham, Bucks., UB9 5PG