HLF UPDATE
Nick Lawrence, the new Heritage Lottery Fund Project
Manager, has now begun his job in earnest to take this project forward, and he
is currently wading through the HLF files. Each month he will be
giving us an update on what is happening.
Below are a couple of questions put to him in the Winter 2007/08 Newsletter:
Q: Which parts of the project most excite you?
A: Bringing the history and uniqueness of the park to a larger audience through well researched and thoughtful restoration.
Q: What do you see as the main challenges to the project, given that a very detailed plan has been agreed with finances to support it?
A: Managing expectation, maintaining public access, delivering on time and to budget.
March Update
It has been a busy month putting together the paperwork for the prospective new Lead Design Consultants, to tender for. The post which will be filled by the end of May.
The Nesting Bird Survey has started with a visit by James
Darke of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.
Starting at six am James identified a variety of birds through visual spotting
and their song. He identified Lesser Spotted and Green Woodpeckers, three
pairs of Egyptian Geese (I had wondered how the pair I was aware of got around
the park so fast!) Chaffinch, Red Legged Partridge, as well as all the many
wildfowl we know about.
He identifies by type of song - aggressive, mating, protecting - as well as visually, and builds up a map of the areas over six visits to establish breeding territories and sites.
Elsewhere, I will be looking into the practicalities of electronic tagging and mapping of the Rhododendron collection with a specialist in the next couple of weeks.
I also hope to be progressing the restoration of the Arboretum Pond in the near future.
As before watch this space!
February Update
The overwintering bird survey is up-to-date, thanks to Andy and Maureen doing a weekend survey for this month. The Wildfowl and Wetland Trust have been commissioned to do the more detailed Nesting bird survey, just in time for the Egyptian Geese, who already have triplets.
The Gamestore in the Arboretum has been recorded, dismantled treated and stored.
Also in the Arboretum, prices are being sought for the work on the pond and bridge.
My First Meeting with the HLF went off without a hitch and the recruitment of Gardeners, Audience Officer and Lead design consultant are all in hand.
Things are on the move in nature and the project. Watch this space!