DOCSLIB.ORG

Retired Staff Association Newsletter

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Retired Staff Association Newsletter Retired Staff Association September 2018 Newsletter Issue 42 Turbulent Times in Higher Education The speaker at our Spring Meeting was the University Registrar, Rachel Sandby-Thomas, who shared with us her reflections on the future of Rachel Warwick and of higher education, from the point of view of ‘a recent Sandby- outsider’ (Rachel came to Warwick in 2016 from the Government’s Institute of Apprenticeships, where she was shadow CEO). Thomas CB Rachel commented that the background to her time at Finance Warwick so far had been an atmosphere of turbulence Nowhere is perception more important than in in HE – a time of unprecedented change externally, the debate over finance, one of the sector’s main with further change on the horizon. Institutions now concerns. Government, the press and the public had to operate in an atmosphere that stemmed from perceive universities as living extravagantly, perception rather than hard evidence – the perceptions unaffected by austerity (and, incidentally, as having of politicians, the press and the court of public opinion. been on the ‘wrong’ side of the Brexit vote). This has fuelled the current debate about Vice-Chancellors’ with students who arrive with existing mental health salaries, which displays enormous ignorance about problems that subsequently worsen, but without the size and complexity of the businesses in Vice- adequate back-up from the NHS; the pronouncement Chancellors’ charge. It is connected with the cost on 16 November that universities should run schools of degrees and the introduction of student loans. (Rachel believes this is beyond their competence); The Department of Education is currently reviewing issues of social mobility and pathways to HE which university finance; there will be no increase in fees Warwick strongly supports, but which also suggest or student loans, and universities will be subject to that HE is being used to ‘fix’ the schools system; more scrutiny over senior pay. Some institutions training for the workplace which, with less employer (not Warwick!) may not be financially sustainable in investment, now falls on schools and HE. We no the long term. There is little public sympathy for the longer seem to know what universities are for, pensions’ issue. and in this atmosphere staff feel overworked and undervalued – and not just because of pensions. We Increased regulation need to get back to the idea that universities exist for Rachel also referred to the increase in regulation of the public good, but where, asked Rachel, was the the sector, not just from the new Office for Students, united, authoritative voice to make this statement? but, for example, GDPR. The Office for Students has promised to adopt a risk-based, proportionate The way forward for Warwick attitude to regulation, not prescriptive but outcome- Rachel said that Warwick must continue to be based and data-heavy. The pendulum has shifted financially diverse and find other sources of income. towards students, now considered as consumers, The University needs to continue to be a great and teaching. This has taken the focus off research employer, taking note of staff surveys, nurturing and the idea of research-led teaching, a key talent and ensuring that administrative staff have the underpinning of universities’ work – a concept which widest possible experience by moving jobs every two the government does not seem to understand. or three years; people should be able to advance, Rachel said that her greatest worry was that there even if working on a part-time basis; there should be was no-one, except the Minister, who had a complete more team working, with teams also moving about. overview of what universities do. UK Research and There needs to be more work on teaching and the Innovation, of vital importance to the sector, sits in University needs to become more agile and flexible the Business Department, cut off from the Office for about how it uses its resources. We need to be a Students. better neighbour, taking a more active regional role. Increasing expectations Above all, we must continue to ‘shout’ about our research and never lose our nerve, confidence or There are increasing expectations of what universities pride in Warwick’s core values – a sentiment echoed are supposed to do, but often without the necessary back-up. Examples include being expected to deal by every member of Rachel’s audience. New Director for Warwick Arts Centre Doreen Foster has been announced as the new head of Warwick Arts Centre, following Alan Rivett’s retirement. Doreen is currently Deputy Director at the Black Cultural Archives, an organisation that collects and exhibits material, raises Doreen Foster awareness and builds interest in the presence and experience of black people Economic Partnership, and Director of the Chief in Britain before 1948. Executive’s Unit at the Arts Council, overseeing the merger of three separate arts bodies into Originally from the West Midlands, Doreen’s the new Arts Council England. From there she previous roles include Director of Kokuma became Chief Executive of the Bernie Grant Dance Company in Birmingham; Dance Officer Arts Centre in Tottenham, where her role for the Arts Council for the West Midlands; included overseeing a capital development. Executive Director of Birmingham Partnership Doreen moved to her present role at the Black for Change; Director of West Midlands Social Cultural Archives in 2013. 2 Retired Staff Newsletter: September 2018 In Memoriam: Colin Brummitt, OBE The Newsletter is sad to report the death, strongest finance office in the on 18 June, of Colin Brummitt, University university system. Finance Officer, 1977-1993 and WRSA Colin was an Treasurer, 2007-2012. He will be greatly enthusiast for the earned income missed by our members. policy we adopted Colin Brummitt came to Warwick in 1977. He had in the face of the been Deputy Finance Officer at Sussex University, cuts; he led the where he had also kept wicket for the staff cricket Finance Office team team, played squash and taken part in highly in our rescue of competitive table tennis matches with the young Cardiff University Howard Dalton, later Professor Howard Dalton, FRS, from bankruptcy; of Biological Sciences at Warwick. we never had a deficit and our Colin replaced Peter Gayward, a former colonial income grew while civil servant, who left to be Finance Officer, then many other universities’ fell. Not the least of his Registrar, at Liverpool. Colin always said he didn’t achievements was his flexibility in helping to embed know why the Vice-Chancellor, Jack Butterworth, WMG’s very different financial operations. These appointed him but I’m sure Jack was looking were the years when Warwick’s reputation was for someone with financial management and established. On retirement, he was awarded an personal skills, not just a recorder of financial OBE (pictured above) – a fitting public tribute to his information. Colin was a man ‘comfortable in his professional achievements. own skin’, equally at home talking to Simon Rattle (whom he permitted to use the Butterworth Hall, But this is only half the picture. University Finance without charge, for recordings before Birmingham Officers were traditionally rather off-putting, Symphony Hall was finished), as he was with backroom figures. Colin was quite the opposite. On students, academics and manual staff – quite like arrival, he, with Mary, took up the Wardenship of Jack himself. the Cryfield Residences and became an important element in the social life of the campus. Living Colin came to Warwick at a critical time. The 1973 on campus made him a natural back channel for oil crisis produced turbulence for university finance: informal negotiations over student rent strikes and the Government suspended, and never restored other on-campus issues. His greatest contribution, the five-year planning cycle that had operated however, was his abiding interest and support for since 1919; inflation rose to 20%; university salary the Arts Centre and its musical activities. Colin increases came irregularly. Jack Butterworth nurtured and guided successive Arts Centre had very much been his own finance officer but Directors in the unfamiliar practice, for them, of conditions now required a much more hands-on living within a budget, but always did so with a good approach: Colin’s intuitive understanding of the humoured and supportive word. He was fertile in his complexities of the University’s budget, and his imaginative grasp of how to keep the Arts Centre calmness under pressure were instrumental in afloat when the campus was overrun with ambitious keeping Warwick on an even financial keel. The heads of departments who thought that priority effectiveness of their partnership was demonstrated should be given to their subject over everything else. in 1981 when the first round of the Thatcher cuts was levied on the university system. We received With Colin at its head the Finance Office became notification of a 10% cut on 1 July; by 14 July a outgoing, widely consulted by the academic revised financial plan had been approved by community and trusted by everyone, as it instilled Steering Committee, Senate, Finance and General financial disciplines in what became an increasingly Purposes Committee and Council, and suggestions mixed economy. Colin, himself, was a model of for reviewing some newly started academic liberal common sense, always positive and forthright, departments rebuffed. The fact that Warwick coped giving confidence to senior officers, and the Finance so effectively with the cuts paved the way for its and General Purposes Committee, to take forward- success in the mid-1980s and thereafter. looking decisions. He was a key person in the University’s development and a superb colleague. Colin inherited a Finance Office which was essentially an accounting office: the times Michael Shattock demanded a different approach. Together, we worked very hard to introduce a management Registrar, 1983-99 accounting vision, and Colin built perhaps the warwick.ac.uk/assoc/rsa 3 Visit to Kew Gardens The Temperate House 15 May 2018 The forecast was encouraging and we and gives unique access to views across the Gardens.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Willis Papers INTRODUCTION Working
    Willis Papers INTRODUCTION Working papers of the architect and architectural historian, Dr. Peter Willis (b. 1933). Approx. 9 metres (52 boxes). Accession details Presented by Dr. Willis in several instalments, 1994-2013. Additional material sent by Dr Willis: 8/1/2009: WIL/A6/8 5/1/2010: WIL/F/CA6/16; WIL/F/CA9/10, WIL/H/EN/7 2011: WIL/G/CL1/19; WIL/G/MA5/26-31;WIL/G/SE/15-27; WIL/G/WI1/3- 13; WIL/G/NA/1-2; WIL/G/SP2/1-2; WIL/G/MA6/1-5; WIL/G/CO2/55-96. 2103: WIL/G/NA; WIL/G/SE15-27 Biographical note Peter Willis was born in Yorkshire in 1933 and educated at the University of Durham (BArch 1956, MA 1995, PhD 2009) and at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, where his thesis on “Charles Bridgeman: Royal Gardener” (PhD 1962) was supervised by Sir Nikolaus Pevsner. He spent a year at the University of Edinburgh, and then a year in California on a Fulbright Scholarship teaching in the Department of Art at UCLA and studying the Stowe Papers at the Huntington Library. From 1961-64 he practised as an architect in the Edinburgh office of Sir Robert Matthew, working on the development plan for Queen’s College, Dundee, the competition for St Paul’s Choir School in London, and other projects. In 1964-65 he held a Junior Fellowship in Landscape Architecture from Harvard University at Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection in Washington, DC, returning to England to Newcastle University in 1965, where he was successively Lecturer in Architecture and Reader in the History of Architecture.
    [Show full text]
  • Wroxall Conservation Area
    W r o x a l l C o n s e r v a t i o n A r e a Areas of Special Architectural or Historic Interest S S A A E E R R A A N N O O I General Introduction I T T Old buildings and their settings are an important part of our local and national heritage. It is important to preserve them A A both as a historical and social record, together with a V pleasant environment to be enjoyed both by those who live in V them and for the enjoyment of others. To assist with the R proper protection of these areas, the designation of areas of R special architectural and historic interest as Conservation E Areas was first introduced in 1967. E S The village of Wroxall has been selected as a place with S special characteristics worthy of designation as a N Conservation Area. The maintenance of the character of this N area is an important working partnership between those who live in the Conservation Area, the Parish Council and the O O District Council, with a view to householders and visitors to the village enjoying its special characteristics. C C In many ways, Conservation Areas are a fragile environment which can soon be destroyed by unsympathetic changes or lack of maintenance. It is, therefore, important that all the partners involved are aware of, and appreciative of, the qualities which exist in the Conservation Area and also the controls that may be used to assist in its maintenance.
    [Show full text]
  • Proceedings of the Oxford Society for Promoting the Study of Gothic
    THE RULES Op THE OXFORD SOCIETY poa PROMOTING THE STUDY OP WITH . A LIST OF THE MEMBERS, CATALOGUE OF THE BOOKS, ENGRAVINGS, AIIID . IMPRESSIONS OF MONUMENTAL BRASSES. MDCCCXLIIL Digitized by GoogI e OXPOBD: PRINTSD BY I. 8RBlIlPTON. THE OXFORD SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING THE STUDY OF GO THIC ARCHITECTURE. GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE is a subject which has of late years excited a considerable degree of public interest, and the labours of many eminent individuals have been directed to the recovery of its Principles. From the scarcity of records ex­ isting monuments are the safest guides in this research: but as they are widely separated, the labour of examination and comparison is so great, that, without some more systematic plan of operation than has hitherto been adopted, we can scarcely expect that the task will be satisfactorily accom­ plished. It has been suggested that this inconvenience may be best met by the formation of Local Associations, having for their principal aim the collecting of Drawings, and descriptions of the Edifices in their immediate neighbourhood, which would thus form so many sources, whence the enquirers into the Gothic Antiquities of any particular district might derive in­ formation.· In furtherance of this object, "The Oxford Society for Promoting the Study of Gothic Architecture" .has been established. The number of Churches now fast rising in every part of tbecountry, renders it 6ithe highest importance to provide for the cultivation of correct Architectural Taste; the circum­ stances of this place seem to point it out as peculiarly well suited for the purpose; because many of its residents are, or soon will be, Clergymen, the constituted guardians of our Ecclesiutical Edifices, while the City itself, and its neigh­ bourhood, abound in specimens of every period of the Art.
    [Show full text]
  • Item 11 /Page 1 Planning Committee: 15 September 2015 Item Number
    Planning Committee: 15 September 2015 Item Number: 11 Application No: W 15 / 0977 Registration Date: 08/07/15 Town/Parish Council: Beausale, Haseley, Honiley & Wroxall Expiry Date: 02/09/15 Case Officer: Emma Spandley 01926 456533 [email protected] Wroxall Abbey, Birmingham Road, Wroxall, Warwick, CV35 7NB Retention of an extension to an existing marquee, covered walkways and pergolas for a further temporary period of three years (Resubmission of W/12/0545.) FOR Wroxall Abbey Estate ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This application is being presented to Committee as the Parish Council supports the application and it is recommended for refusal. RECOMMENDATION Planning Committee are recommended to REFUSE to grant planning permission. DETAILS OF THE DEVELOPMENT The application proposes to retain the extension to an existing marquee, pergolas and covered walkway extensions which have been erected without planning permission within the Wren garden, alongside a series of Yew hedges and adjacent to the Church Yard of St Leonard's (Wren's Cathedral). Planning permission is sought to retain the marquee extension, pergolas and covered walkways for a further temporary period of 3 years. THE SITE AND ITS LOCATION The Wroxall Abbey Estate relates to 27 acres of open parkland with a collection of Listed Buildings and private grounds. The Abbey itself is a 18th Century manor house to the north west of which are Grade II listed stables which have been converted to additional hotel accommodation and to the east of which is the Grade I listed Wren's Cathedral. The site also includes a scheduled ancient monument and Grade II listed gardens which are set within a parkland setting.
    [Show full text]
  • NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN That an ORDINARY MEETING of The
    Warwick D istrict Conservation Advisory Forum Thursday 11 th October 2012 Please note that the meeting will be held at Wroxall Abbey, Wroxall at 5pm. Membership: Warwick District Council Members: Councillor Sawdon and Councillor Pittarello Representatives of Organisations Mrs R Bennion (CLARA) Mr P Edwards (Leamington Society) Mr N Stephens (Royal Leamington Spa Chamber of Trade) Mr M Sullivan (Royal Town Planning Institute) Mr M Baxter (The Victorian Society) Mr Cain (Kenilworth Society) Mr J Mackay (Warwick Society) Dr C Hodgetts (Warwickshire Gardens Trust) Mr A Pitts (The Twentieth Century Society) Mrs Kimberley (CPRE) Mr Poole (Warwick Rural West) Agenda 1. Emergency Procedure At the commencement of the meeting the emergency procedure for the Town Hall will be announced. 2. Substitutes To receive the name of any Councillor who is to act as a substitute, notice of which has been given to Committee Services, together with the name of the Councillor for whom they are acting. 3. Declarations of Interest Members to declare the existence and nature of any personal and prejudicial interests in items on the agenda, in line with the Council’s Code of Conduct (Declarations should be entered on the form to be circulated with the attendance sheet and declared during this item. However, the existence and nature of any interest that subsequently becomes apparent during the course of the meeting must be disclosed immediately. In the event of an interest being prejudicial, Members are reminded that they must withdraw from the room or chamber whenever it becomes apparent that the matter is being considered, unless a dispensation has been obtained from Standards Committee.
    [Show full text]
  • Warwickshire Police Warwick Rural West Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT)  [email protected]
    Warwickshire Police Warwick Rural West Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) [email protected] September 2017 BADDESLEY CLINTON - BARFORD – BEAUSALE – BISHOPS TACHBROOK – BUDBROOKE HASELEY - HATTON - HAMPTON ON THE HILL - HAMPTON MAGNA – HASELEY KNOB HATTON PARK – HILL WOOTTON - HOCKLEY HEATH – HONILEY - LAPWORTH – LEEK WOOTTON - LOWSONFORD – NORTON LINDSEY - SHERBOURNE – SHREWLEY SHREWLEY COMMON – ROWINGTON – WASPERTON – WROXALL PC Davies moves to Alcester In a week where the sports headlines have been filled with the football transfer deadline day, the Warwick Rural West team have had a transfer of our own, with PC Rob Davies heading to Alcester SNT. Sadly for the Warwick team, none of the astronomical figures paid for footballers have been exchanged for PC Davies! Rob leaves the team for a four month secondment, so will be back in the New Year. He will still be keeping an eye on the area, and dealing with cases that he is already involved in. The Warwick Central team PC’s will also be casting their eyes over the area, and getting involved in any crimes/initiatives where appropriate. Home security advice If you are struggling for ideas on how to make your property more secure, you’re in luck, because you can get some advice below: - CCTV around your property acts as both a deterrent and a detector of crime. The better picture quality on the CCTV the more likely we are to identify potential offenders. - Security Lighting acts also as a deterrent, and works best in conjunction with CCTV. Most security lighting contains motion sensors, and will come on when detecting movement.
    [Show full text]
  • Ref Infrastructure Type / Project Project
    Ref Infrastructure Type Project Detail Scheme Total Cost - Estimate of Funding Type Total CIL / Estimate of / Project Grading New Estimate s.106 / s.278 Other Funding CIL s.106 s.278 Other PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE Transport: Sustainable Travel Infrastructure (Non Corridor specific) T1 Pedestrians: General Crossing facilities should be provided where flows will justify 1 0 such provision. Signage for important local facilities should be provided. T3 Cycling: General Cycle infrastructure: crossing facilities should be provided 1 0 where flows will justify such provision. Toucan crossings may be required on key cycle routes. Cycle signage should also be provided, particularly in terms of links to the National Cycle Network and important local facilities such as rail stations. Good quality cycle parking should be provided at local service centres, schools and open spaces/play areas within development sites. T6 Cycling: completion Completion of the existing cycle networks within Warwick, 1 £2,000,000 £2,000,000 of the existing cycle Leamington Spa, Kenilworth and Whitnash - provision of networks "Missing Links" that will provide the shortest routes to key destinations (e.g. Use of Victoria Park to link to the Leamington Spa town centre with the proposed cycle infrastructure for Ford Foundry, linking Connect2 to Kenilworth town centre and linking Warwick town centre to the rail station). .Provision should include toucan/pedestrian crossings to avoid severance. T7(a) Bus Infrastructure: In relation to bus stops, these should be well located in 1 0 General relation to the surrounding development (for example in terms of local service centres and schools), with a maximum walk distance of no more than 400m from any point within the development.
    [Show full text]
  • Vebraalto.Com
    Briardene Honiley Road, Beausale, Warwickshire, CV35 7NX Offers In The Region Of £795,000 A rare opportunity to acquire this substantial three bedroomed detached bungalow situated in the idyllic village of Beausale and set amidst wooded rolling countryside and lies between the Wroxall Abbey Estate and Kenilworth Castle. The property itself occupies a super spot providing seclusion from passing traffic. The property briefly comprises a grand reception hall, light and spacious dual aspect sitting room with fantastic Inglenook fireplace and Bi-Fold doors, breakfast kitchen, three double bedrooms, modern re-fitted bathroom, integral garage and guest cloakroom. The property further benefits from a sizeable South/West facing wrap around garden, open countryside views beyond, large sweeping driveway providing parking for multiple vehicles, large garden workshop, UPVC double glazing throughout and modern oil fired central heating system. Conveniently located to provide easy access to Warwick, Solihull and the Midlands Motorway network, as well as being ideally placed for Warwick Train Station and Birmingham International Airport and Train Station. With close commuter routes to Jaguar Land Rover and National Grid. It is only a short drive to the many schools that Warwick and Leamington Spa have to offer and also falls within the catchment area for Kenilworth schools. Junior schools can be found in the nearby villages of Hatton and Lapworth. www.earlesgroup.co.uk Briardene is discretely positioned far back from the road From the reception hall, two small steps lead to:- mainly laid to lawn with a number of mature trees behind an established hedgerow and large wrap around surrounding the property and providing privacy.
    [Show full text]
  • LUC Standard Report Template-London
    Appendix A WARWICK DISTRICT GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT OPPORTUNITY : PERI-URBAN PARK, SOUTH OF LEAMINGTON / WARWICK / WHITNASH Summary Description & Outline Project Specification Enhanced wetland environment • Enhanced access & signage network to peri-urban park Lower to watercourse & adjacent to landscape setting of the Tach Brook, to the south of Heathcote existing water bodies, with Whitnash, & the north of Bishop’s Tachbrook. Farm scrapes, reeds & wet woodland • Low-key signage strategy (predominately directional) in Castle encouraged to the upstream keeping with rural setting & landscape ecological Park valley floor. Potential future enhancements, (i.e. timber signs to routes & designated flood alleviation. ‘loops’, & locally recognisable design - in accordance with the Whitnash district guidelines). Interpretative signage included to identify areas of interest (e.g. the historic Windmill Hill). • Existing footpath enhancement & creation - subject to “path hierachy”. Initial concept to upgrade existing PROW network to 1.8m wide, hoggin path, with new primary access routes (70%) as per PROW upgrades. Remaining proposed secondary paths (30%) to be 1.2m wide hoggin path. • 2 No. new crossings to Tach Brook. 1 No. to be vehicular standard & the second for foot passengers only; design & Grove Grove style to be low key & in keeping with rural setting. Farm Plantation • Creation of native woodland bands, between existing plantations), including oak pollards plus broadleaf native New woodland & hedge woodland (oak-sweet chestnut transplants), at initial planting creation to create links to density of 1.5m centres, with pollards at 20m intervals. Creation of new native woodland adjacent landscapes & • Creation/re-introduction of apple orchards. New House band linking to existing diversify habitat/pattern & • New hedge planting as per existing vernacular, Hawthorn Farm vegetation groups (i.e.
    [Show full text]
  • Sub-Regional Green Infrastructure Study
    ED.4.13.3 Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull Sub- Regional Green Infrastructure Study Prepared for Natural England by Land Use Consultants July 2011 www.landuse.co.uk LUC SERVICES Environmental Planning Landscape Design Landscape Management Masterplanning Landscape Planning Ecology Environmental Assessment Rural Futures Digital Design Urban Regeneration Urban Design 43 Chalton Street 37 Otago Street London NW1 1JD Glasgow G12 8JJ Tel: 020 7383 5784 Tel: 0141 334 9595 Fax: 020 7383 4798 Fax: 0141 334 7789 [email protected] [email protected] 14 Great George Street 28 Stafford Street Bristol BS1 5RH Edinburgh EH3 7BD Tel: 0117 929 1997 Tel: 0131 202 1616 Fax: 0117 929 1998 [email protected] [email protected] DOCUMENT CONTROL SHEET Version Status: Version Details: Prepared Checked Approved by: by: by: Ver: Date: Principal 1 09/05/11 Draft Final Report Louise Philip Philip Smith Tricklebank Smith 2 13/0 7/11 Final Report Louise Philip Philip Smith Tricklebank Smith 3 27/07/11 Final Report (reissue with Stratford Louise Philip Philip Smith changes) Tricklebank Smith CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION 2 2 DEFINING AND IDENTIFYING SUB-REGIONAL ASSETS 3 Defining Sub-Regional Green Infrastructure Assets ................................................... 3 Identifying Sub-Regional Assets ............................................................................... 4 3 ANALYSIS OF GI SUPPLY AND FUNCTIONAL NEED 10 Analysis by Local Authority .................................................................................. 11 North Warwickshire
    [Show full text]
  • The Trees of Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull
    THE TREES OF WARWICKSHIRE, COVENTRY AND SOLIHULL PART 2 - SPECIES ACCOUNTS FOR GYMNOSPERMS (CONIFERS), PALMS, GINKGO AND TREE FERNS Steven Falk, 2011 Spanish Fir, Billesley Catalogue of Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull Trees The trees (alphabetical by scientific name) Abies – True Firs (Silver Firs) Mostly tall (when mature), evergreen conifers with needles that are joined to the shoot by round, green ‘suckers’, quite unlike any other similar conifer genus. The needles tend to have two bright whitish stripes beneath and the tips are variously pointed, blunt or notched. Douglas firs Pseudotsuga are not true firs and lack such suckers, whilst spruces Picea (which are superficially similar to firs) have their needles joined to the shoot by a small wooden peg. The cones, when produced, are held upright (like Cedrus cedars) and typically disintegrate whilst on the tree, which means you can rarely check fallen ones for the useful identification characters they can contain. Critical features to check include precise needle shape, length and colour, the density and orientation of the needles on the shoot, whether the shoot is downy, grooved and its colour, bud colour and stickiness, bark characteristics, and the general shape of older trees. No firs are native to Britain, but they are widespread across the northern hemisphere, with about 200 species in total. The key in Mitchell (1978) helps in the determination of some species. Abies alba – European (Common) Silver Fir Source: Mountains of Europe, including the Pyrenees, Alps and within the Balkans. Introduced to Britain in 1603. Distribution: This was once a frequent timber tree in local woods, but seems to be very rare today if not extinct.
    [Show full text]
  • Dorridge & District Residents Association Baddesley Clinton To
    Dorridge & District Residents Association Baddesley Clinton to Wroxall Abbey This walk of around 5 miles takes around two hours. It starts from Baddesley Clinton. Whilst the parking there is free, it is National Trust property and Sunday's can be busy, so bear in mind you are taking a liberty parking there unless you are visiting the house. Alternative parking can be found either at Hay Wood or at the lane that runs to the church which is just off Hay Wood Lane. This walk goes through Hay Wood, through some farm land across the other side of the Warwick Road, and back through Wroxall Abbey, taking in some glorious rolling Warwickshire countryside on its way. The walk has only one style (we think, but can't remember where!) but can be muddy when wet; there are no steep hills. It does cross the Warwick road so small children would need to be carefully supervised. The pictures are from a sunny morning in June 2006. 1: From Baddesley Clinton, find the lane to the 2: Walk straight through the Church Grounds Church. The footpath goes Assuming you are straight along, starting from the car though you might park at Baddesley wish to pop your Clinton, from the grassy head through the extension car park, looking up from the Church door and entrance to the right, admire this small there is a large wooden church. gate that leads to a path. Turn left along the path and walk to the Church. 3: Leave the Church Grounds 4: Turn Left along the lane Leave the Church, After turning left, walk continuing straight on a short way and you from the path, will find a track on the through the gate and right.
    [Show full text]