news

News, views and events in the Wyke Beck Valley

APRIL - OCT 2013

Inside this issue:

Making an entrance in the Valley
New entrance features officially opened by Cllr Mark Dobson. What will you spot this year?

Wildlife Discovery Week 2013

New Friends groups for the valley

See the full list of groups now set up to help keep Valley destinations in tip top shape.

New entrances point the way to valuable Valley green spaces

Nine new entrances have been installed from Wykebeck Woods to Halton Moor, giving important green spaces across the Wyke Beck Valley an identity, and making them more accessible and attractive to local people. The decorative entrance features showcase the artistic skills of local children, who worked with project partner Groundwork Leeds to make metal casts of their drawings of Valley inhabitants. They represent a highly visible achievement for the Wyke Beck Valley Pride partnership that has been working to improve the Valley for people and wildlife over the past few years. Councillor Mark Dobson, Executive Member for the Environment, was joined by children from Grange Farm Primary School and by members of the newly formed Friends of Arthurs Rein to officially open the Arthurs Rein entrance on Easterly Road recently. Councillor Dobson said: These new features will help people to find their way into the Valley and discover all the things it has to offer, from easy walking and cycle routes to opportunities to learn more about its ecology. Im really impressed by the way local people and their families and schools have got involved in the Wyke Beck Valley Pride project and are taking responsibility for looking after this important greenspace. Wed like to see even more people joining in.

Cllr Mark Dobson (centre), Cllr Roger Harrington (left) and Cllr Bill Urry (right) with children from Grange Farm Primary School, at the Arthurs Rein entrance on Easterly Road

Wyke Beck Conservation Volunteers go dippy about ponds

Do you want to learn new skills, get out in the fresh air, meet new people and look after your local greenspace? If so, then why not join the Wyke Beck Conservation Volunteers. Volunteers are welcome any Friday and usually work from 10am to 4pm. Work takes place up and down the valley, from close to Roundhay Park down to the edge of Temple Newsam.
The TCV mini bus will pick up from the car park at ASDA Killingbeck, just opposite McDonalds, at 10.00am every Friday, PLUS 10.15am as follows:
1st Friday of the month - Arthurs Rein and Fearnville. Meeting point, noticeboard outside Beechwood Primary on Kentmere Avenue. Buses 16 and 50. 2nd Friday of the month - Killingbeck Fields. Meeting point, noticeboard at bottom of Coldcotes Drive (Oakwood Lane). Buses 4, 11 or 16 3rd Friday of the month - Primrose Valley. Meeting point, outside Lidl supermarket, Selby Road. (Many buses) 4th Friday of the month - Halton Moor. Meeting point, opposite former Halton Moor Leisure Centre. Bus 5

New group for Killingbeck Fields

Local volunteers ventured out in wintry weather to plant a new hedge at Killingbeck Fields, marking the launch of newly-formed group the Friends of Killingbeck Fields. The new hedgerow will link to existing hedges beside Foundry Lane to form an attractive boundary to this natural area, loved by local residents and wildlife watchers. Killingbeck Fields is important for its traditional hay meadows and medieval hedgerows that support wildlife.

The Wyke Beck Conservation Volunteers, led by TCV, have been busy at Primrose Valley in the last few months. A dipping platform has been constructed at Halton Dene pond and a large area of the pond cleared of reed mace. A woodland footpath has also been completed. The work has been carried out by 40 volunteers from all over the Wyke Beck Valley. The group has now moved on to Halton Moor to landscape the new entrance features leading off Neville Road. Future projects will include steps, bridges, dipping platforms and information boards. You can find out more details about the Conservation Volunteers - and how to join them - on the right...

Public Events 22nd - 27th May 2013

Wildlife W i d if fe Discovery i cove e y Week W
During Wildlife Discovery Week we are aiming to identify as many species as we can in the Wyke Beck Valley - and we need your help! Nature experts will be on-hand to help you identify your wildlife finds, from trees and plants to butterflies, bees and birds. There will be family games - with prizes to be won - stream and pond dipping, minibeast hunts, guided walks, bat walks, and much, much more! Offering something for everyone - whether youre a complete beginner or seasoned wildlife expert - this is a great chance to find out how amazing nature can be at what promises to be a fun-filled few days! Check out www.wykebeckvalleypride.org.uk or www.facebook.com/WykeBeckValley for full details.
BAT WALK: Weds 22nd May Booking essential as there are limited places. Location and meeting place confirmed on booking. Please call 0113 238 0601. WILDLIFE DAYS: Sat 25th May, 10.00am - 4.30pm Wykebeck Woods and Arthurs Rein Meet at the fields off Asket Drive and Easterly Road by the cycle path Sun 26th May, 10.00am - 4.30pm Killingbeck Fields Meet on Foundry Lane opposite Parkway Towers Mon 27th May, 10.00am - 12.30pm Halton Moor Meet on the football field on Neville Road, opposite Corpus Christi RC Church Mon 27th May, 2.00pm - 5.00pm Primrose Valley Meet near the bowling club off Primrose Lane, Halton

Events & Activities:

April - October 2013
JUNIOR RANGERS: Bushcraft Skills
Wednesday 3rd April 10.00am 1.00pm Wednesday 10th April 10.00am 12 noon Sunday 14th April 10.00am 1.00pm Sunday 21st April 10.00am 12 noon

April
An introduction to the skills needed to survive in the outdoors, including shelter building and foraging. This event has limited places and booking is essential. An insight into the hidden world of pond-life. Try your hand at netting some aquatic beasties! This event has limited places and booking is essential. Bring along your pet dog for a walk along the Wyke Beck Valley. Free goody bag for all doggy friends!
Dont forget poop bags!

Location: To be confirmed on booking Contact: Rob Driver, 0113 336 7553 / 07891 270748

JUNIOR RANGERS: Pond Dipping

Location: To be confirmed on booking Contact: Rob Driver, 0113 336 7553 / 07891 270748

BIG DOG WALK

(Part of National Pet Month)

Location: Arthurs Rein, Seacroft. Meet at the entrance by the junction of Asket Hill and Easterly Road. Contact: Rob Driver, 0113 336 7553 / 07891 270748 Location: Wykebeck Woods. Meet at the entrance by the junction of Asket Hill and Easterly Road. Contact: Rob Driver, 0113 336 7553 / 07891 270748 Location: Arthurs Rein, Seacroft. Meet at the entrance off North Parkway outside DYCA. Contact: Rob Driver, 0113 336 7553 / 07891 270748 Location: Primrose Valley, Halton. Meet at the artistic gate off Primrose Lane. Contact: Rob Driver, 0113 336 7553 / 07891 270748

SPRING CLEAR UP

Join Friends of Wykebeck Woods for a morning of habitat management in this lovely woodland.

REIN CLEAR UP

Sunday 28th April 10.00am 12 noon

Join Friends of Arthurs Rein for a morning of practical work on this vital wildlife corridor.

VALLEY CLEAR UP

Sunday 28th April 2.00 - 4.00pm

Join Friends of Primrose Valley for an afternoon of conservation management in Primrose Valley.

May
MONSTERS OF THE MOOR! Bug Hunting
Sunday 12th May 10.00am - 12.00 noon
Join us for a morning of bug Location: Beckfields and Halton hunting at Halton moor green Moor. Meet at the entrance next to space! Lakeland Court, off Cartmell Drive. Contact: Rob Driver 0113 336 7553 / 07891 270748 Join us for a guided walk looking for the bounty of the valley. Location: Killingbeck Fields, Seacroft. Meet at the entrance by the Packhorse Bridge, off Foundry Lane. Contact: Rob Driver 0113 336 7553 / 07891 270748

BOUNTY OF THE Sunday 12th May HEDGEROWS

1.00 - 3.00pm

MONSTER MORNING! Pond Dipping MONSTER MEADOWS! Bug Hunting WILDLIFE DISCOVERY WEEK!

Sunday 19th May 10.00am 12 noon Wednesday 29th May 10.00am 12 noon 22nd - 27th May

Join the Ranger for a morning of pond dipping at this lovely nature area. See what we can find in the watery depths! Join us for an action packed morning looking for mini-beasts and micromonsters on these wonderful meadows! See back of newsletter for more details.

Location: Primrose Valley, Halton. Meet at the artistic gate off Primrose Lane. Contact: Rob Driver 0113 336 7553 / 07891 270748 Location: Killingbeck Fields, Seacroft. Meet at the entrance by the Packhorse Bridge, off Foundry Lane. Contact: Rob Driver 0113 336 7553 / 07891 270748

July
MEADOWLAND AND FORGOTTEN FLOWERS CONSERVATION WORK Invasive Vegetation HISTORIC KILLINGBECK Festival of Archaeology TREES, LEAVES AND ALL THINGS GREEN!
Sunday 7th July 10.00 12.00 noon Wednesday 10th July 9.30am - 3.30pm Saturday 20th July 10.00 12.00 noon Wednesday 24th July 1.00 - 3.00pm
Join the Rangers for a guided walk to learn about the increasingly rare meadows and the wildflowers that grow there. Join Leeds Wildlife Volunteers for a day of Himalayan Balsam control on the meadows. Join us for a guided walk to learn about the rich tapestry of local history of Killingbeck and the meadows. Location: Wykebeck Woods. Meet at the Wykebeck Way entrance off Wetherby Road. Contact: Rob Driver 0113 336 7553 / 07891 270748 Location: Killingbeck Fields, Seacroft. Meet at the steel gate entrance off Killingbeck Drive. Contact: Dan Malster 0113 336 7549 Location: Killingbeck Fields, Seacroft. Meet at the entrance by the Packhorse Bridge, off Foundry Lane. Contact: Rob Driver 0113 336 7553 / 07891 270748 Join the Rangers for a guided walk looking at the trees, flowers and wildlife in the green corridor of Arthurs Rein. Location: Arthurs Rein, Seacroft. Meet at the entrance by the junction of Asket Hill and Easterly Road. Contact: Rob Driver 0113 336 7553 / 07891 270748

HISTORIC WYKE BECK Festival of Archaeology

Sunday 21st July 10.00 12.00 noon

Join us for a guided walk to learn about the local history of a royal deer park, Asket hill and a Romano-British sacred site.

Location: Wykebeck Woods. Meeting at the Wykebeck Way entrance off Wetherby Road. Contact: Rob Driver 0113 336 7553 / 07891 270748

August
THE WYKE BECK Sunday 4th August VALLEY Love Parks Week 4.00pm
10.00am Join the Wyke Beck Valley Ranger for a guided walk from Temple Newsam to Roundhay Park through the valley. *Please Location: Meet at the Stable Courtyard at Temple Newsam, outside reception. Contact: Rob Driver 0113 336 7553 / 07891 270748

note this is a long distance walk and many be unsuitable for younger children. Dogs are welcome but should be kept under close control*

NOCTURNAL WILDLIFE

Wednesday 7th August 8.00 10.00pm

Join us for a guided evening walk to learn about the nocturnal world of bats and listen to them catch their prey.

Location: Wykebeck Woods. Meet at the Wykebeck Way entrance off Wetherby Road. Contact: Rob Driver 0113 336 7553 / 07891 270748 Location: Primrose Valley, Halton. Meet at the artistic gate off Primrose Lane. Contact: Rob Driver 0113 336 7553 / 07891 270748 Location: To be confirmed on booking Contact: Rob Driver, 0113 336 7553 / 07891 270748

NIGHT-TIME WILDLIFE

Wednesday 14th August 8.00 10.00pm

Join the Ranger for an evening of Bat detecting! Use listen equipment to hear the bats as they feed.

JUNIOR RANGERS Wild Art

Wednesday 21st August 10.00am 1.00pm

A morning of creating pieces of arts and crafts using natural materials. This event has limited places and booking is essential.

September
AUTUMN WOODLAND MANAGEMENT
Sunday 15th Sept 10.00am 12.00 noon
Join Friends of Wykebeck Woods for a morning of tree and shrub management in this lovely woodland. Location: Wykebeck Woods. Meet at the entrance by the junction of Asket Hill and Easterly Road. Contact: Rob Driver, 0113 336 7553 / 07891 270748

The Wyke Beck Valley

The Wyke Beck Valley runs all the way from Roundhay Park to Rothwell Country Park through Gipton, Seacroft, Killingbeck, Primrose Valley and Halton Moor. Wyke Beck Valley Pride is funded by Natural England through Access to Nature as part of the Big Lottery Funds Changing Spaces programme, Leeds City Council and Green Leeds and is being run as a partnership between members of the community, Groundwork Leeds, Leeds Ahead, Leeds City Council, TCV, Voluntary Action Leeds, and the Wyke Beck Valley Community Forum.

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Friends of Roundhay Park Contact David Binns on 0113 283 2893 [email protected] www.forp.co.uk Friends of Wykebeck Woods Contact Dr. B Roberts on 0113 293 3193 [email protected] Friends of Arthurs Rein and Fearnville Fields www.facebook.com/FriendsofArthursReinandFearnville Friends of Killingbeck Fields www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-ofKillingbeck-Fields/278583192217133 Friends of Primrose Valley www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-OfPrimrose-Valley/189887144485713 Beck Fields Action Group www.facebook.com/pages/Beck-FieldsAction-Group/263083193800358 Friends of Temple Newsam Ring 0113 264 7510 or e-mail [email protected] Friends of Rothwell Country Park Contact Sue at [email protected]

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Contact us
Project Co-ordinator: John Kilner t 0113 238 0601 e [email protected] Wyke Beck Valley Ranger: Rob Driver t 0113 336 7553 e [email protected]

Wyke Beck Valley Community Forum: Eric Cowin and David Conboy t 07535 386851 e [email protected]

Find out more

www.wykebeckvalleypride.org.uk
www.facebook.com/WykeBeckValley @WykeBeckValley