Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust - Louth Area Group: November 2018

Friday, 23 November 2018

Louth Watch Report

Louth Watch held a meeting on 18th November in Spout Yard Gallery.

The children had a very busy afternoon with several activities and a story.

Each child planted an acorn in a small pot. We talked about which tree would grow from an acorn, how big it might grow and how long it might survive.

The children made small books in which they drew pictures to illustrate how the acorn would grow into an oak tree.

Each child piled and glued lots of different autumn leaves over a picture of a hedgehog. This illustrated how a hedgehog might hibernate in a nest of leaves.

They also each drew pictures of animals or flowers on flag shape paper. These were attached to wooden sticks to make flags, to celebrate the 70th birthday of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.

The children were given squash and biscuits that had kindly been donated by the Co-op in Northgate.

There was a very happy atmosphere, but a little disappointing that we had not attracted more children.

Friday, 16 November 2018

LWT LOUTH AREA GROUP CHAIRMAN’S JOTTINGS NOVEMBER 2018

SPEAKER MEETING 23 NOVEMBER 2018

The Group’s last meeting of 2018 will be at 7.30pm at the Nichol Hill Methodist Church in Louth on Friday 23 November. This is the annual Nancy Loft Memorial Lecture when the Chief Executive of the Trust, Paul Learoyd, will talk about 'The Work of the Trust’. There have been some dynamic forward-looking developments recently, so this is an ideal opportunity to learn about what is happening and what will happen in the LWT.

DONNA NOOK SEAL UPDATE AND VISITING CONDITIONS

At 2000hrs on Friday 16 November the count was 334 Bulls, 1058 Cows and 943 Pups.
I have taken the information below from the LWT website for your information. Please abide by these regulations that have come into force to manage the high volume of visitors who flock to Donna Nook. As ‘locals’ we should try to visit during the week. I find the best time is mid-afternoon when there is a better chance of seeing Pink-foot geese, Brent geese and Golden plover swirling in the sky.
There is a one-way traffic system. The main car park is privately operated and charges £5 per car (all day parking) on weekends, and £4 per car on weekdays. They offer catering facilities and portaloos but there is no disabled access. This car park only opens during seal season - late October through to December. 20% of the car parking fee is kindly donated to the Trust to help with the upkeep of the nature reserve and protection of the seals.
Stonebridge car park has limited parking and is maintained by the Environment Agency. From here there is easy access to the viewing area and privately-owned catering facilities.
The Seal Viewing Area can be accessed from either car park.
Formal traffic management will be in place on the four busiest weekends (10-11 Nov, 17-18 Nov, 24-25 Nov, 1-2 Dec) with official traffic personnel on site.
They will enforce:
· A one-way system
· No stopping
· Speed restriction
· Blue Badge holders in the designated (Stonebridge) car park

50 YEARS OF LAG – LONG TERM PLANNING
In January 2020 the Louth Area Group will reach its 50th year of existence. I am seeking ideas as to how the half century should be celebrated – possibly with some sort of exhibition. The LAG archives only consist of copies of programmes and some committee minutes. Consequently, I shall be delighted to hear from: -
1. Long standing LAG members who have pored over photograph albums of the period 1970- 2010 to see whether they have pictures that they would permit to be used in a display.
2. Members who have ideas for a low-key event or events that could mark this 50-year point.
3. A person or people who would be prepared to research documents held at LWT HQ, Horncastle.
4. A volunteer or volunteers who would be prepared to manage any planned event or events.

Best wishes
Ray Woodcock Chairman Louth Area Group