Boxmoor Good Neighbours Picnic
Boxmoor Good Neighbours, in collaboration with the Box Moor Trust, arranged a picnic lunch at the Old Barn at Westbrook Hay on the afternoon of June 10th. The setting could not have been more perfect for our 12 neighbours, who, like the rest of us, have had their normal way of life severely restricted by the pandemic. For many older people this has meant that the past year has been even more isolating and lonely, so Boxmoor Good Neighbours decided that a picnic lunch in the fresh air would be an ideal way of bringing them some enjoyment and welcome relief.
The warm weather played its part, with a stunning view of the Bourne Valley as the backdrop to the event. Lunch boxes were served, together with tea, coffee and soft drinks and guests spent a relaxing afternoon eating, chatting and enjoying the countryside views. The programme was completed with a talk from Box Moor Trustee Dennis Furnell, a naturalist and broadcaster, who spoke about the valuable ecological work undertaken by the Trust. The occasion was a great success that was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended. A second picnic is planned for July.
Swift action
Sadly, swifts are in trouble. The UK has seen numbers plummeting, with a 53% decline between 1995 and 2016. Last year, in partnership with Lockers Park School and Selco, we provided a number of nest boxes to homes around the local area. It’s fantastic to see that Aaron Cooper of Still Cast Photography has recently captured a swift flying over the moor in this brilliant photo! Fingers crossed we can SWIFTLY increase their numbers to bring them back from the brink! If you wish to help, you could build and install a swift box.
Visit www.bristolswifts.co.uk/swift-nest-box-design/ to see the design from ‘Bristol Swifts’.
Pick it, bag it, bin it!
Some of you may have noticed our fantastic new signs around the Trust land. Hopefully we can all work together to combat the problem of dog fouling and be Dog Poo Heroes. Let’s keep our beautiful moors clean and safe. Dog poo can be so harmful to humans, livestock and wildlife. So don’t be a poo bag tosser – pick it, bag it, bin it!
www.boxmoortrust.org.uk
01442 253300
