October 2009 – Wombrook Blog

October 30, 2009

Fungi: Shaggy Ink cap (scientific name:Coprinus comatus)

This distinctive fungus is often seen in groups, (referred to by botanists as ‘troops’). This particular specimen was photographed at the beginning of this week in the open cut grass area between the Wom Brook Walk footpath and the brook.

By Tuesday, all specimens had gone. Usually left alone, they blacken and turn to liquid.

Caution! Unless you are well versed in the identification of fungi (mushrooms and toadstools), some species are deadly poisonous, andÂ it is best to avoid picking and eating them at all costs.

October 26, 2009

South Staffordshire Friends Groups Meeting

At the end of September, South Staffordshire Council hosted a Friends’ Groups meeting, bringing together voluntary environmental and community groups from the South Staffordshire Council district. The event provided an opportunity for the Friends Groups to share their successes, network and support one another.

Graham Peak from Staffordshire Wildlife Trust provided an interesting overview of the concept associated with Friends groups.

There were presentations by both the Friends of Wom Brook and the Friends of Essington.

Our thanks go to Howard Medlicott (Landscape Manager, South Staffordshire Council), Clodagh Peterson (South Staffordshire Council, Policy & Partnerships) and colleagues from South Staffordshire Council for their hospitality.

Links:

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust

South Staffordshire Council-Architectural & Landscape Services

South Staffordshire Council-Policy & Partnerships

October 23, 2009

Railings

Two sets of tubular metal hand rails (arrowed, above) have been put in place this week, on the sections of footpath leading down to both sides of the Wom Brook, within the Gravel Hill section of the Wom Brook Walk.

Several people have fallen on both these sections, and the South Staffordshire Council have a duty of care to reduce the risk of further falls.

Although not especially in keeping with the recent wooden features that have enhanced the various entrances to the Wom Brook Walk, South Staffordshire Council were left with no option but to resort to erecting metal hand rails, due to the inevitable future attentions the local branch of Anarchists Anonymous would give to wooden ones. (Their unwelcome efforts have been regularly seen in the past along the South Staffordshire Railway Walk, where the wooden hand rail leading up to Ounsdale Road has been a frequent target of malicious vandalism.)