DOWN TO EARTH in The City

NIA Meadow improvement proposals for 2016

Mary Vale Road looking towards Hazelwell across the Rea Valley Holders Woods from Holders Fields   Willow trees mark the bank of the old Rea A muddy ditch bordered by wild garlic on the old course of the Rea Most of the old channel is now silted up but can still be found in places The 'engineered' or canalised river today functions like any other river with deposition and erosion commanding the way Red Campion, seeded in the Queen Mothers' Plantation last winter (2015-16), should provide good flowers during spring 2016 Turkey Tail fungus on a Cherry log Great view across Holders Pebble Fields and Woods (Image by Sally Hunt) Welcome Walks from the Kensington April 2016

This tree will go down as a big loss to the natural world The Ancient Yew Group have provided the following information - "Hello Alf Thanks for the measurement and photos. My colleague Toby Hindson says "6.6 metres at ground, with much convolution and fragmentation in the horizontal section, as well as obvious signs of previous felling and subsequent regeneration...........it is safe and fair to say that the yew is estimated at 700-850 years old rather than the 500 previously given." Hope this is useful." Rather oddly a Mallard has decided this to be a good nest site - Mallards do odd things sometimes

This publication was updated in 2009. Harry follows the river from its source at Wasley Hills to its confluence with the Tame at Spaghetti Junction. The booklet is full of gems and provides snippets of information about the water course from past and present - many details remain current even in 2016. The River Rea in spate March 2016