FRIENDS of MANOR FARM PARK

Hoping to build on the success of Bat Walk 2011, we have decided to hold the event in mid-September again this year. So get your warm hats, scarfs and gloves out of mothballs in preparation for another exiting and interesting search for bats in the park, on the evening of Tuesday 18th September. Over 40 people turned out last year and not one of them had anything other than praise for the way the event was organized. They had a thoroughly enjoyable time, though there were murmerings about forgotten flasks!!

On Sunday 23rd October 2011 a group of volunteers, under the supervision of Park Ranger Steve Hinton cleared the small wood, in which the second set of steps were made earlier in the year, at the North end of the lake, adjacent to the Manor Drive entrance.

Having been our most popular and well attended event last year, this early autumn treat should not be missed, if you can possibly help it.

The survey entries are all in; we must wait for the data to be analysed and the results sent back to us from the professional body hired for the purpose, at which time we will arrange a meeting to deliver the results to the membership. Representatives from other interested parties will be invited along.

[I would remind everyone that the monies for this service was provided as part of the Grassroots Foundation Grant that also paid for the new Main Entrance Sign; the 5 notice boards; the 1st year hosting for this website (design, building and management of which is, and will always be, free of charge); the Newsletters and various other items.]

At around 0930 on Tuesday 23^rd August I received a telephone call from a gentleman walking in the park who asked if we were having a Fun Fair this year. I said we were not and wondered why he was asking.

During a tour of the park in late winter 2011, the Secretary and Adam Noon (Park Ranger), decided that the slope down from the Millennium Wood to the Great Meadow would be slippery when wet, and difficult to negotiate.

Even in the dry weather, due to the steep gradient, they felt such a slope could be quite dangerous.....

To look at the photographs one would think it had been a lovely day and warm enough for fun, certainly our Chairman's father and dog seemed happy.....

One major accomplishment from 2010/2011 has been the erection of new Community Notice Boards at park entrances and at the south end of the Lake.

Lesley Pattenson, the Committee Member who took the lead on this project, is seen here showing the rear of the board at the Lovell Close entrance.

In September 2010, the Association's Management Committee staged the first major event in the history of the Friends of Manor Farm Park. Aptly named 'Fun in the Park'