BONDS MEADOW NEWSconditions such as asthma. Reducing stress–Residents suffering from stress experience less anxiety when they have a view of trees. Physical signs of stress such

BONDS MEADOW NEWS

Summer 20181

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EVENTS

Message fromChair of BMCAAdjacent Column

Summer ViewA look back over 30 yearsPage 3

Asides with Ivan BunnMagpiesPage 4

Health, Wellbeing andBonds MeadowHealth benefits of woodlandPage 5

30 Years of Bonds MeadowCommunity AssociationPage 6 and 7

Message from ProjectManager and VolunteersPage 8 and 9

Footpath ClosurePage 10

Memories of BondsMeadowPage 11

Support your MeadowPage 11

Thirty years in the lifeof a tree can take itfrom the smallest six-inch sapling to alandmark many feettall, with a thick strongtrunk and large

boughs full of leaves and fruits or nuts. After30 years, depending on the species, it willprovide habitat for a large number of insects,which in turn will lie at the base of animportant food chain, serving the birds thatwill be roosting and maybe nesting and whothemselves may become a meal for thespeeding sparrowhawk or a stealthy fox. Thisgrowing tree may also provide some shadefor a rambler on a hot summer’s day, a placeof play for the climbing child or simply asubject for meditation and reflection for thebusy person out to find some peace.And so it is that this year we look back at 30years of the Bonds Meadow Association.Just over 30 years ago the meadow was inthe frame for possible development, so someconcerned and dedicated folk took up thecause and took positive action to protect thearea. Once this had been achieved theAssociation was formed to formally manageand undertake the care of all the diversehabitats that make up “the meadow”. Someof the trees planted at that time will indeednow be maturing, providing all the benefitsmentioned above, as well as many morebesides and of course all the other work.Sowing, mowing, pruning etc. has been putinto the meadow throughout the ensuingyears and has also borne its flowers, fruitsand young. The work continues and will doso we hope, long after the current volunteersand committee have gone. But it’s a goodtime now to say a very big thank you to all ofthose over the years, present and past whohave played their role in preserving andconserving Bonds Meadow.

Whats Inside John Ward:Chair BMCA

BMCA

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Left–is a 1990s photograph of the main footpath looking south. Right–Current day.

Sometime in the mid 1980s a Manpower Services project team take a bow. Can yousee any familiar faces?

Summer View Celebrates 30 Years of Association

Christina, whose passion and commitment forthe natural world has shaped the Meadowduring the biggest part of the 30 years.

Sunhenge, later replaced with a copse of silverbirch.

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The Eurasian magpie or commonmagpie (Pica pica) has become a commonsight in recent years and is believed not onlyto be among the smartest of birds butamong the most intelligent of all animals.Perhaps because of its intelligence andcunning ways, the poor old magpie hasbeen associated with the devil and hasbecome a symbol of misfortune. Magpiesare gregarious birds and even today manypeople on encountering a single one will stillmutter “Devil, Devil get behind me!”. Otherswill respect the bird with the greeting “Goodmorning Mr Magpie” or similar variants orsimply by saluting the creature.According to tradition it would be best torearrange a journey if you see a single one.If one is seen on the way to church itsignifies that death is present!In Scotland it was once believed that themagpie carried a drop of the Devil’s bloodunder its tongue which perhaps comes fromanother belief that the magpie was the onlybird not to wear full mourning at theCrucifixion.Perhaps these superstitions stem from thefact that, according to tradition, the magpiewas the only bird that refused to enter TheArk preferring to stay outside. In Celtic lorethe magpie is associated with and sacredto the biblical Magog who in turn isassociated with apocalyptic traditions.

Traditionally magpies are said to be thievesand particularly attracted to stealing shinythings. Recently “experts” haveexperimented with the bird to test this ideaand have come to the conclusion that it isnot true. However, perhaps during theexperiments the crafty magpies fooled thescientists!For reasons still argued about, it was inearlier times, called Maggot-Pie or Maggot-the-Pie, which was often shortened toMaggot. The Deeds of the Manor of Oultonrecord that in 1476 there was a large woodin Oulton named Magottes Wode situatedat the southern end of present day WoodLane.

Asides with Ivan Bunn

This year’sRHS Chelseal a u n c h e dAction Oak, anew initiativeto protect oaktrees with theaim of:

Working with owners and managers of oaktrees and woodlands to help to protect thetrees from a range of threats.

Funding research to improve ourunderstanding of the threats to our oak treesand to inform best management practices;

Using established professional and citizenscience networks to record changes in thedistribution, age and health of our oak treesto identify priority areas for action;

Encouraging organisations to join the ActionOak Partnership and people to supportAction Oak.

Bonds Meadow contains many oak treesand the association will closely monitor,and where practicable, support the project.

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There is increasing evidence that thenatural world significantly improves acommunity’s physical and mental healthand brings people and communitiestogether.An assessment published by ManchesterCity of Trees that caught my eye summedup the advantages rather well.Improving air quality–Trees, woodlandand other green infrastructure improve airquality by intercepting harmful particulates,which are a contributing factor to respiratoryconditions such as asthma.Reducing stress–Residents suffering fromstress experience less anxiety when theyhave a view of trees. Physical signs of stresssuch as muscle tension and pulse rate arealso measurably reduced when moving intogreen surroundings.Aiding recovery–Convalescing patientswith a view and access to greenery havebeen shown to recover more rapidly, andrequire less pain-killing medication thanthose who only have a view of buildings.Alleviating depression–Taking part innature-based activities helps people whoare suffering from mental ill-health and cancontribute to a reduction in levels of anxietyand depression.Shading us from the sun–Thinning of theprotective ozone layer coupled with moreextreme weather patterns is being linked tothe increase in skin melanomas, the mostrapidly increasing form of cancer in the UK.Dappled shade of trees provides a usefulbarrier to harmful ultra-violet radiation.Encouraging physical activity–Greenspaces provide space to exercise, which

improves memory and cognitive function.People who use parks and other greenspaces are three times more likely to reachthe recommended level of physical activitythan non-users.Reduce obesity–Children living in areaswith good access to green spaces havebeen shown to spend less time in front oftelevision screens, computers and smartphones and to have 11-19 percent lowerprevalence of obesity compared to childrenwith limited or no access to green spaces.Bringing people together–Trees andwoods can help to bring people together andstrengthen communities, reducingloneliness and isolation.Watching the latest Sir David Attenboroughdocumentary may enthuse our support andunderstanding of the natural world, butactually getting up off the sofa, walking andgetting involved in an open naturalenvironment like Bonds Meadow will bebetter for us all and it’s free.

Health, Wellbeing and Bonds Meadow

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Although an active group known as Friendsof Bonds Meadow had existed pre-1988, itis accepted by the committee that 1988was the year the Association actually cameinto being.A news report by Steven Downespublished in the Eastern Daily Press dated16th September 1993 details what waspossibly the culmination of the struggle toretain Bonds Meadow for the communityand highlights the “tireless” work the lateJay Hobbs, then Chair, had put in to savethe area.

Future of wildlife haven is secured

The future of a wildlife haven nearLowestoft has finally been securedfollowing a 10-year battle to save it fromdevelopers.Bonds Meadow, at Oulton Broad, has beenbought by Waveney District Council fromSuffolk County Council for £18,000, alongwith the separately priced nearbyGorleston Road school site.Local residents, councillors, and the BondsMeadow management committee hadfought for a decade to save the site, offSands Lane, from being turned into aresidential development.Now the plan is to create a nature reserveat Bonds Meadow which is used byhundreds of children for their naturestudies, and is a haven for insects, wildflowers and birds . . . Local residents andcouncillors were delighted at the newsabout Bonds Meadow.

Bob Blizzard, Waveney’s council leader,who has pushed for years for the councilto buy the site said, “We’re delighted thatwe’ve been able to secure the future ofthis much loved site so it will remainforever as a natural area for thecommunity.”Oulton Broad county councillor NickBrighouse said “I’m very pleased indeedthat it’s being kept as it is. It’s importantto keep open spaces available.”Jill Hobbs, who lives near BondsMeadow, said her main feeling wasrelief. “I’ve got small children and I takethem up there whenever the weather’snice and they love it”, she said.Leslie Fielding, 80, whose front pathjoins Bonds Meadow, said he waspleased and relieved and also paidtribute to the secretary of the BondsMeadow management committee, JayHobbs, who is currently on holiday inScotland. “The result is a reward for allJay’s work. He has worked tirelessly tokeep the site as it is” said Mr Fielding.Brian Hunter, parish councillor for Oultonand a district and county councillor said,“I’m delighted it’s been saved. I was bornwithin a stone’s throw of Bonds Meadowand used to play there as a kid”.The Bonds Meadow site has beenbought, along with the Gorleston Roadschool site, from Suffolk County Council.Mr Blizzard explained. “ We will developsome social housing on the site of theold school. By doing this we’ve securedthe future of Bonds Meadow . . . it’s inour control.”

Thirty years of community working together to secure thenatural world in their neighbourhood

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The report marked the successfulculmination of many years of constantpressure on the authorities anddemonstrates how a community workingtogether can occasionally achievesomething special. Many of the original“friends” are still actively serving on thecommittee and indeed our ever-hardworking secretary Margaret, is still aregular member of the Tuesday workparty.

Sincere thanks are given to everyone pastand present that have supported or beeninvolved in some small way firstly, insecuring Bonds Meadow for thecommunity, and secondly to the twoProject Managers, the many willingvolunteers, workparty members,webmaster, committee members, WDC,SWT, Norse group, MPs, councillors of somany authorities and our loyal few that paya very small membership fee every yearthat helps to keep us afloat. All have giventheir valuable time, energy and donationsto our very special community amenity.

We look forward to the future and manyyears of growth in the trees and shrubsplanted over the past couple of years.

Many of us will never see the full impact ofour labours That is life and as volunteerswe know the entire project is aboutpreserving a little bit of the natural world forthe coming generations.

Finally we must continue to hold out somehope that the footpath will be re-opened bythe time our 60th year celebrations arrive.

More images of 30 years

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In the six monthssince our lastnewsletter, BondsMeadow has in someways blossomed dueto the care andattention that thevolunteer team has

lavished on it. However the upheavalcaused by the laying of the foul water sewercontinued to cause us problems.By now the pipe way should have been laid,and the subsequent mess and devastationshould have been a thing of the past. As itis the contractors have yet to complete theirtask which is heading for a year roundproject. This project has impacted ontovolunteers, with some being put off havingto work in muddy and inhospitablesurroundings. Where our numbers hadswelled to 16, there are now usually six toseven regulars every Tuesday morning.Attempts to start up an occasional Saturdaymorning working party to put down barkonto pathways received limited support.Much was achieved but more volunteersare required.

The Tuesday working party has beenconcentrating on clearing large areas of

undergrowth to facilitate sunlight. Onenotably is near to the tank traps andcommunity orchard. Another area has beencleared alongside the low meadow. Thishas given us the opportunity to plant 360trees in these areas, and alongside themain pathway. The trees are planted inwoodland types, so we now have a working

wood, a wildlife wood, a year round colourwood, and a fruit wood. The trees weredonated as a result of a successful grantapplication from the Woodland Trust.Forthcoming projects include the openingup of a new drainage ditch which shouldensure that the currently blocked ditch is fora short distance bypassed. This projectneeds to be undertaken in the summerwhen the water levels are low, and the mudhas firmed up enough to permit us to workacross it.Finally, a plea for more volunteers. Wemeet every Tuesday morning from 9.30amto 12.30pm. You can be sure of a warmwelcome.We have all the necessary tools. Just bringyourself, and plenty of enthusiasm.Ring me if you would like more details–Peter Aldous Tel. 01502 514157 or07941906946.

Message from Project Manager

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It’s a compliment to all their hard work that thevolunteer team have been recognised withanother award recently. Radio Suffolkpresenter Guy Campbell visited us andpresented the working party with the GoodEgg Award, for volunteering services to theCommunity. Several of us were interviewedlive on air by Guy, and the editorial article wasbroadcast a few days later on Radio Suffolk.

Bonds Meadow arepleased to participate inthe Royal Botanic

Garden’s, Kew Grow Wild national outreachinitiative. People taking part are doingsomething positive where they live:connecting with wild flowers, plants andplaces around them, taking notice of nature,getting active, learning new things and sharingtheir knowledge and enthusiasm.

Praise from Radio Suffolk

Grow Wild

“Volunteering is the ultimate exercise indemocracy. You vote in elections oncea year, but when you volunteer, you voteevery day about the kind of communityyou want to live in.” – Author Unknown

If you are someone with a good knowledgeof natural world identification, in anyspecialism, and are willing to give a littletime to assist in our project to record thebiodiversity of Bonds Meadow and toaccurately catalogue onto our recordinggroup within the Suffolk BiodiversityInformation Service, please make contactthrough our website or Project Manager.There is no fixed time and you can work onyour own or with a group.It would particularly suit a willing Ecologystudent. However anyone with an interestis very welcome.Records submitted will help build up ourunderstanding of Bonds Meadow wildlifeand ecosystem as well informing otherconservationists

Enthusiastic help required

Praise from Radio Suffolk

Lindsey has thankfullyhad a very successful2018 despite beingunable to accessBonds Meadow. It ishoped she will beplanning to hold a Big

Butterfly Count this year subject to accessbut it is not in her diary yet. Those of you thatuse Facebook please search for ButterfliesOf Britain to find out more about theiractivities and education programmes.

Butterflies of Britain

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It was anticipated the footpath would beopen in March. However shortly after thecontractors returned, they again exposedobstructions that have required furtherredesign.

Despite our many requests for the fullreinstatement and reopening of thefootpath, at the time of publication the leadcontractor, Persimmon Homes have notoffered further comment.

Work continues on the pipeline inCambrian Crescent and the entrance toBonds Meadow is now used as thecontractor’s storage area.

Sadly Persimmon through their inaction,appear to have little concern for theinconvenience and length of time theclosure of a public footpath has had onthe community.

Be assured the Association will continueto monitor the situation but it has noauthority to affect the process or re-opening of the footpath.

Footpath Closure

The contractor is not maintaining fencesand barriers. Although there is probablyonly a small risk to safety, members of thepublic are advised to take care or avoidcompletely areas where fences havefallen and are lying on the ground pluswhere there are unfinished footpathsurfaces.

Sands Lane entrance with soil and fillstockpiles. Mud surfacing in the foreground.

There are areas of missing footpathsurfacing that may cause tripping.

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Charles Swan remembers Bonds Meadowwas in some ways a Kingdom of two halves.“The Hall Road end was the playground forthe lads from Holly Road, Commodore Roadand Hall Road. The garden at the back of 4,Hall Road was indeed my Kingdom. On levelground was the pitch for football. “coats forgoalposts”, cricket, chasing, cowboys andIndians and of course den building, anywhereand everywhere, up trees, behind blackberrybushes, underground (ex wartime trench)”.“The land to the left side was open marsh andwas full of wild flowers, meadow sweet,ragged robin, willow herb and common orchid.With no trees the grass became very goodhay and was used by Mr Tubby. The meadowbecame in turn a chicken farm and a duckfarm, but for some of us it will remain in ourhearts forever.At the Sands Lane end, on the wall of thecottages, two little girls used to sit and Imarried one but that’s another story”.

Memories of Bonds Meadow Forthcoming Events

AGMAnnual General Meeting

BONDS MEADOWCOMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

to be heldat

Oulton Community Centreon

23rd June 2018 at 10:00 am

Guest Speaker: Ivan Bunn

Big Butterfly CountCome and take part in Citizen Science

and help count butterflies inthe Meadow. Fun familyactivities and games for all.Pending the opening of the

footpath and safe accessibility.During school holiday see BOB’sFacebook page for announcement

30Year Celebration.An event is to be held in late summerto celebrate 30 years of the BondsMeadow Community Association.Please check on our website andFacebook pages nearer the time.Notices will also be posted at entrancesand with local businesses.

A Final ThoughtSome worrying statistics came out of a recently published survey that concluded“Three-quarters of UK children spend less time outside than prison inmates” and“a fifth of the children do not play outside at all on an average day”. It would appearthe lure of digital technology is resulting in youngsters leading enclosed unnaturallives. Many adults enjoy the serenity of spending time in nature as a way to escapethe stress and craziness of everyday life. Not only can fresh air and naturalscenery have a positive impact but outdoor activities for children can also improvethe overall quality of children’s lives. Therefore, natural areas such as BondsMeadow, located within Oulton Broad’s dense residential area should be pre-scribed as free therapy for family health and wellbeing.

Find us facebook.com/bondsmeadowoultonbroad

Twitter: @bondsmeadowob

website at: www.bondsmeadow.orgNews: [email protected]

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The Association has no direct funding and always welcomes sponsorship, donationsand offers of help. You can support us by becoming a member of the Bonds MeadowCommunity Association. Minimum donation £6 a year (or £1 a year for unwaged). Allsubscriptions are spent on maintaining Bonds Meadow. Contact Margaret on 01502584261. Alternatively visit Facebook or website above.