WARWICK DISTRICT GREEN SPACES 8 1 N 0 o 2 vember Welcome to our Green Space of the Month new Green Spaces Saltisford Common, Warwick newsletter Located north of Warwick town centre close to the canal and Birmingham Road, this lovely open space had been rather neglected and forgotten in recent years. Over the last six months the Green Spaces Team has been busy rejuvenating and opening up the 5.5 hectare site. Saltisford Common now boasts new tarmac footpaths linking the entrances, meaning that visitors no longer In this edition have to walk over the muddy grass and making it more user- • Green Space of the month friendly for wheelchairs and pushchairs. For groups of children - Saltisford Common wanting a run-a round the park now has 5-a-side goals and new • Final preparations for the playground equipment. If you fancy a work out, there is some great return of the Bandstand outdoor gym equipment to improve your fitness levels and it’s all • Otters spotted in Mill Gardens for free! The common is a haven for wildlife, with meadows, scrub and trees providing habitat for birds, invertebrates and fauna. • What to look out for in November So if you want somewhere new to walk the dog, entertain your children, or simply enjoy some quiet • Views sought on Abbey open space do pay Saltisford Common a visit! Fields Swimming Pool improvements Location: St Michaels Road, Saltisford, Warwick CV34 • Volunteers needed for 5RS, bus service to and from St Michaels Road. our Nature Reserves • November events and activities • Day in the life of - Dana Hunter, Ranger Final preparations HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND RESTORATION PROJECT Volunteers What to look out for in November for the return of needed for our • Leaves on our trees (especially the maples) will be turning red, the bandstand Nature Reserves we are expecting a good display this year! • Bedding plants are being planted in preparation for spring, including Winter works programmes on Now that the events season is over, The bandstand itself will be back wallflowers, polyanthus, tulips, pansies and hyacinths. our nature reserves including work is underway on getting ready before Christmas and we are Newbold Comyn, Radford Road • Winter migrating birds are arriving from the continent, including to resurface all of the remaining planning a special event in the Nature Reserve and Whitnash murmurations of Starlings, Redwings and Fieldfares, and maybe a Waxing or paths (except for the main spine New Year to mark its return. Brook will soon be in full swing. two. The tougher berries will still be on shrubs and trees – look out for birds on path which comes later). You will What to find out more? pyracantha, cotoneaster and malus trees. notice that we have moved the Many of our sites have active works compound to allow work to • Peregrine falcons from the town will have dispersed to the countryside in Visit Leamington Spa Art Gallery work parties, either weekly start on the western end of the site. search of food, before returning in late winter. and Museum in the Royal Pump or monthly, and all of our This includes the new Rain Garden. Rooms and pick up a leaflet about reserves have activities over Although there is a lot of fencing the Pump Room Gardens. the winter season that would up at the moment, once the paths welcome extra helping hands! are tarmacked, the change will be [email protected] Abbey Fields November Events dramatic, with a resin-bound finish www.warwickdc.gov.uk/parks All work parties are led by Swimming Pool and Activities adding a final transformation. www.pumproomgardensfriends.org experienced Warwickshire Wildlife Trust staff or volunteers. Tasks We are also preparing for the During October and November the Council will be seeking the Every Saturday 9am could include coppicing, scrub return of the bandstand with the views of local people on a range of options to improve the Leamington Park Run, Newbold Comyn clearance, making habitat piles, base decking being replaced and leisure facilities in Kenilworth including those at Abbey Fields www.parkrun.org.uk/leamington and hedge laying and woodland FRIENDS OF THE the surrounding area readied for PUMP ROOM GARDENS Swimming Pool, located in Abbey Fields. management, and are open to Every Wednesday 11.45am planting, including new steps. anyone whatever your skill or Walking for Health Walk Watch this space for news of As part of the consultation the Council has organised a number ability. All tools are provided. 98 Brunswick Street CV31 3BD the agreed colour scheme for of drop-in sessions for local people to see the draft options, ask Work parties are really good fun: www.warwickdc.gov.uk/healthwalks the bandstand which follows questions and give your feedback to the project team. These and a great chance to learn new detailed analysis of the existing will take place at; Every Monday 2.30pm skills, meet new people, and get paintwork and a nod to typical Priory Pools Park, Walking for Health out and about during the winter. Abbey Fields Swimming Pool Victorian-style colouring. Lyttleton Road CV34 5EP Monday 22 October – 6.30am to 9am www.warwickdc.gov.uk/healthwalks For more Wednesday 24 October – 4pm to 8pm information contact Thursday 1 November – 11am to 1pm Every Friday, 12.30pm [email protected] Saturday 10 November – 1pm to 4pm Abbey Fields Kenilworth, Walking for Health Abbey Medical Centre CV8 1JD Castle Farm Recreation Centre s in Mill G www.warwickdc.gov.uk/healthwalks tter arde Friday 26 October – 11.30am to 1.30pm O n Monday 29 October – 7.30am to 10.30am Saturday 3 November 5.30pm Wednesday 31 – October 6pm to 8pm Warwick Town Bonfire, Warwick Racecourse Over the past few years, we have been working in www.warwicktownbonfire.org.uk partnership with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, Severn Meadow Community Sports Centre Trent and local developers to install otter passes, lay Thursday 25 October – 6pm to 8pm Saturday 10 November, 12pm to 3pm ups and holts on land owned by Warwick District Council Foraging Event at Newbold Comyn Jubilee House along River Leam. Recently, staff at the Leamington Boat A guided walk to find, identify and discuss edible Wednesday 7 November – 6pm to 8pm Centre spotted two otters frolicking in the river at Mill plants and mushrooms. Gardens (clearly approving of our efforts!). This is great Alternatively those who are interested can see the draft options Saturday 10 November 10.30am news for the conservation of this protected species. and give their feedback online via the Warwick District Council Midland Oak Park, Lillington website www.warwickdc.gov.uk/kenilworthleisureconsultation You can see our Leam Otters on www.youtube.com Remembrance memorial service for the until 19 November 2018. (search for ‘Otters in the River Leam’). Warwickshire Royal Horse Artillery The Council will use the consultation feedback to inform Please let us know if you have any further the further development of the proposals for Abbey Fields otter sightings in the district by emailing Swimming Pool for a report that will go to their Executive early [email protected] in the New Year. of A day in the life Dana Hunter, Raqnger Tell me a little about your role and what you do in a normal working day? ‘ My job is quite varied and involves a range of tasks, shifts and places. I keep an eye on parks and green spaces, checking whether there are any trees down, reporting broken play equipment and greeting park visitors. I also check parking meters and issue tickets if needed, take calls about issues – dogs in play areas, etc. and lock up parks in the evening. We’ve just started using social media (Twitter @WDC_Rangers) to help keep people informed about park and parking issues as well.’ What do you enjoy most I hear you were on the Which about your work? radio recently? is your favourite The amazing range of parks we Yes, I didn’t know about it until ‘ ‘ green space have in the district. I don’t like the day! I was on the JD and in the district? the cold, but even if it’s snowy, Roisin Show on BBC Coventry when you’re wrapped up warm and Warwickshire. Roisin was Abbey Fields in Kenilworth – it’s still enjoyable. It’s an all- complaining that she had just I love the landscape of the park and weather job! I couldn’t go back been issued her tenth parking also the fact that there is so much to having an office job now.’ ticket of the year, so we invited history – the barn, ruins, Abbey her down to see how we do Gate and St Nicholas Church. What key skills do you need things. She arrived just as we to succeed at your job? were issuing a ticket, but she How many steps do you do in an average day at work? ‘ You need to be self-motivated was really nice and we managed as there is a lot of lone working to change her opinion of us. It It varies – some days are and you need to manage your was quite an entertaining day!’ office based. But on average own time. You also need to be perhaps 14,000-17,000 Describe your perfect polite, and know how to manage steps – it keeps me fit! day at work potentially difficult situations. It’s very important to be impartial ‘This would be to arrive at Abbey and fair, and make sure you Fields first thing in the morning always provide a professional on a frosty day, and take a picture service.