A small group of the Friends of Wom Brook met at Wombourne Methodist Church last Saturday to share a variety of presentations about local wildlife and the work of the Friends of Wom Brook.
Particularly outstanding were the presentations made by the younger members of the group-there was evidence of considerable effort by all who took part-from poster presentations (to the left of the photo), to some very professional videos of the Brook’s water voles, and slightly further afield, video footage of the butterfly and bird life found at Baggeridge Country Park.(’Wildlife Videos’ displayed on DVD in the right-hand photo above.)
A walk along the canal tow path from Awbridge Locks (photographed above-grid ref: SO 860 948) south towards Bratch Locks will pass several trees and tree-stumps which have had the adornments fixed to them representing faces.
A representative from British Waterways said that the faces started to mysteriously appear shortly after maintenance work had been completed along that section of the Staffordshire & Worcester Canal.
Can you help to solve this mystery?
Do you know who originated this rather unique practice?
This image was photographed on the outskirts of Wombourne. Have you seen it? If you have, please leave a comment below as to its whereabouts. Over the weekend, its location will be revealed.
The above photograph, taken looking north down from the ascending Greenhill road in Wombourne towards Gravel Hill, epitomises an autumn scene. Although not technically representing anything directly to do with the Wom Brook, the Walk or the wildlife of the Brook, it does show the outlying landscape that surrounds one of the entrances to the Wom Brook Walk (arrowed). Where the road leads off to the left (Common Road), a stone wall ends at the start of the footpath that leads to the footbridge over the Brook, and to the distinctive oak gate posts that mark the beginning of that particular stage of the Wom Brook Walk.
Bright sunny days particularly enhance the spectacular spectrum of greens, yellows and browns of the leaves, each colour signifying a different stage in this particular sycamore’s leaf-shedding process.
The BBC news website recently published a reference to research which highlights the need for us all to have regular access to green spaces.
The article provides compelling reading, and confirms what many have thought regarding the importance of having green spaces within easy access for urban dwellers. The BBC article points to medical research that has shown that incidents of mental and physical illness are reduced amongst those people living close to green spaces.
Click on the link to the BBC website below:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8307024.stm
The photograph above was taken a few days ago, along the first stage of the Wom Brook Walk, adjacent to Rookery Road. It portrays an autumnal scene, with some tree leaves beginning to change colour, prior to dropping from their tree.
There are examples of mosses growing on the willow that overhangs this particular bend in the Brook. The Brook itself is slightly discoloured by mud washed from the banks following the latest rainfall. Depsite the muddy appearance of the Brook, essential nutrients are being washed along the Brook to nourish other plants.
