Wom Brook Blog

January

Thursday  19th   Work Party
Saturday  21st   Event: Home-made videos, quizzes & photos
10am Wombourne Methodist Church

February

Saturday  4th    Work Party
Thursday 16th   Work Party
Saturday  18th   Event: Bird-spotting along the canal. Meet 10am school lay-by Ounsdale Road

March

Saturday 3rd  SPRING WATCH 11am - 3pm at and in partnership   with   Wombourne  Library.

                                        NB No Work Party
Thursday 15th  Work Party
Saturday  17th  Event: Fishing,to test the water quality of the Wom  Brook

Thanks to the sharp eyes of the finger post’s sculptor, the top half was recovered from the bushes beside a section of the Wombrook. However, the owl was missing. Thankfully the sculptor was able to carve a faithful reproduction, and at certain times of the day, the new owl stands out from the original wood carving in the hole at the top of the finger post.

In the photo above, the back of the owl is shown (arrowed in red), along with the 2 dimensional aspect of the sign.The other side of the sign is a 3D representation, and shows the new owl and the remainder of the sign to particularly good effect.

Residents are positively enraged by the mindless damage to a local Wombourne landmark. The ornate and very symbolic wooden carved finger post which marks the crossing point between the Wombrook Walk and the South Staffordshire Railway Walk was discovered to have had it’s top half forcibly removed. (See red arrows indicating that the top half of the board was forced in one direction).

The original finger board was not only an example of an excellent wood carving, but it had been carefully produced following careful research into the local history, flora and fauna associated with the village of Wombourne. Carefully captured within its imagery was a representation of the endangered water vole, a protected mammal resident along the Wombrook.

Unfortunately a minority criminal element exists in the community, possessing little intelligence and contributing nothing but problems to it. The reader is left to imagine the level of punishment furious local villagers were suggesting should be given to the individuals responsible for the damage.

It is believed that the vandalism occurred sometime between Sunday 25th September and Thursday morning, 29th September. If you were walking in the vicinity during those dates, and saw something connected to this crime, please contact Staffordshire Police on 0300 123 4455.

February 2011:

 Saturday 5th     Work Party

Thursday 17th    Work Party

Saturday 19th     EVENT: Capturing Signs of Spring-another photography competition

March:

Saturday 5th     Work Party

Thursday 17th    Work Party

Saturday 19th     EVENT: What’s Stirring? Looking for Tracks,fishing etc. [Camera optional].

Non-members are welcome at all events.

Please Note: Work Parties-litter collection & plant/animal habitat management: All activities take place between 10:00-12:00. Meet Gravel Hill picnic benches unless otherwise stated. 

Further details may be obtained from Anita - 01902 892187

Do you live in the Wombourne area, and can spare 2 hours a month?

Do you value the fantastic resource that is the Wom Brook, along with its wildlife?

Then please join the Friends of Wom Brook-membership is merely £5 per annum.

We need more members!

Some facts about the group:

• Established in 2004, the group works closely with the Architectural and Landscape Department at South Staffordshire Council.
• The Friends of Wom Brook are all volunteers, and represent ages between 10-85 years!
• The Wom Brook Walk is now a nature reserve.
• For the second year in succession, the area has received a national award-the Green Flag.
• The Group appeared in an episode of the BBC TV series, Nature of Britain.
• The Group monitor numbers of the protected and endangered aquatic mammal, the water vole, which is resident at different points along the Brook.

However, more members are needed-to remove debris from the Brook, thus helping to maintain its water quality, enabling a diversity of wildlife to inhabit it. The Friends Group also clear litter, and manage invasive plant species from engulfing sections of the Brook and its surrounding banks.

Its not all work-organised events are held to increase members’ awareness of the diversity of plant and animal species to be found along the Wom Brook and its Walk.

Please join the Friends of Wom Brook-come along to the AGM-you’ll be most welcome!

This multi-coloured fibreglass model of a rhino would be an unlikely sight at the best of times, but the city of Chester has in the region of 60 + models located in and around the city.

‘Rhino Mania‘ is an interesting initiative which not only brings an endangered species to  prominence, but engages local groups in an engaging art project. Could a similar event be staged within Wombourne to promote the plight of the water vole?

For further information about ‘Rhino Mania‘ , please click on this LINK.

Just a reminder-the Friends of Wom Brook will be holding their first Spring Watch Festival this coming Saturday in Wombourne Library, located in the Community Centre. (Pictured above)

The small brook, nowadays mostly hidden from sight underground, and only visible for the last few metres of its journey before it joins the Wom Brook 300m downstream of Bow Bridge, is normally crystal clear. Yesterday morning, it appeared to be discharging muddy water into the Wom Brook in such quantities that the Wom Brook looked positively clean!(See above photo).

This event occurred roughly between 11:00 and 12:00, but this morning the small brook had thankfully reverted to its clear appearance.

If you know what caused this discolouration, please leave a comment below-any form of pollution is a serious matter, as it can adversely affect the wildlife that depends upon the Wom Brook for water.

The gradual loss of leaves this Autumn has revealed a large broken willow branch adjacent to the Gravel Hill road and the Wom Brook. There would appear to be no risk to cars, but the more adventurous young people who sometimes explore that area by the side of the Brook, which is easily accessed from the Wom Brook Walk could be at risk, particularly if they are tempted to climb the branch.

South Staffordshire Council have been informed about this branch.