All the photos on the site have been taken in Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park unless stated otherwise.
Dear Friend, it's January and time to renew your membership of the Friends of Cherry Orchard Park. Thank you for another year's support. Download a copy of our Newsletter, A Look Back at 2019, and you can see what a difference we have been making. 2020 is going to be an even busier year!
During 2019 both of the committee's bids for funding were successful and having such an enthusiastic membership behind us makes all the difference. Your membership fees enabled us to access grants by providing 'matched' funding.
Next year we hope to continue with our members' wishes to improve access in the park. Our long term goal remains an all weather path from one end of the park to the other. We have made a start and will be seeking further grant funding to tackle one of the worst areas, north and west of Flemings Farm. We will need to build up our own funds again to provide further matched funding - we very much hope you will renew your membership - your fees will continue to be put to very good use!
We will also continue to monitor the wildlife of the park and our Conservation Volunteers will be;
We will continue to offer walks in the park with experts on hand to give information about the social and natural history of the park.
We very much look forward to welcoming you to another year with the Friends! You can renew your membership (OR JOIN FOR THE FIRST TIME) - it's still just £5 - on line HERE. If you prefer you can download a membership form on the same page and pay by cheque.
Once again, thank you for your support.
Your committee
Catherine, Chris, Jill, Matt, Mo, Penny and Richard
During 2019 both of the committee's bids for funding were successful and having such an enthusiastic membership behind us makes all the difference. Your membership fees enabled us to access grants by providing 'matched' funding.
Next year we hope to continue with our members' wishes to improve access in the park. Our long term goal remains an all weather path from one end of the park to the other. We have made a start and will be seeking further grant funding to tackle one of the worst areas, north and west of Flemings Farm. We will need to build up our own funds again to provide further matched funding - we very much hope you will renew your membership - your fees will continue to be put to very good use!
We will also continue to monitor the wildlife of the park and our Conservation Volunteers will be;
- keeping the paths through and around the woodland plantations clear for walkers, having great care not to disturb birds during the nesting season,
- maintaining the area round the hibernaculum (a home for displaced amphibia),
- monitoring the old dew pond, cleared in 2018, for signs of frogs, toads, newts, dragonflies etc.,
- monitoring our small bird nest boxes and owl boxes,
- maintaining the traditional orchard,
- monitoring the rare green winged orchids rescued from a disused waterworks site and given a new home in the park,
- working with the contractors on the new path from the car park.
We will continue to offer walks in the park with experts on hand to give information about the social and natural history of the park.
We very much look forward to welcoming you to another year with the Friends! You can renew your membership (OR JOIN FOR THE FIRST TIME) - it's still just £5 - on line HERE. If you prefer you can download a membership form on the same page and pay by cheque.
Once again, thank you for your support.
Your committee
Catherine, Chris, Jill, Matt, Mo, Penny and Richard
Click HERE to report an incident or problem in the park.
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL BID BY FRIENDS OF CHERRY ORCHARD PARK!
We have been awarded £27,500.
We have been awarded £27,500.
Work has started on the all weather path this month. It will run from the car park to the bridleway so be aware that there will be workmen and machinery in the park and it would be wise to keep your dog close by or on a lead, or head off towards the stream for your daily walk. Thanks.
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Essex Wildlife Trust have advised that they hope to start work regenerating the lake in the coming weeks. This has been a long time coming but it appears that funds are available now to improve the area and bring it back to its original purpose - a lake for wildlife.
Members were advised some years ago now of the proposal to regrade the banks and open up the 'dyke' to encourage the water voles to return, and introduce an area of wet woodland by extending the nearby plantation. EWT are also hopeful that they will be able persuade the Environment Agency to change the extraction licence that allows RDC to divert water from the stream into the lake, so that it can flow all year round instead of just in the winter months.
Members were advised some years ago now of the proposal to regrade the banks and open up the 'dyke' to encourage the water voles to return, and introduce an area of wet woodland by extending the nearby plantation. EWT are also hopeful that they will be able persuade the Environment Agency to change the extraction licence that allows RDC to divert water from the stream into the lake, so that it can flow all year round instead of just in the winter months.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Here are some photos of our New Year Walk. Yes - it was very muddy. Did it put us off? NO - we were intrepid! Great walk, good friends, excellent start to the year. Thanks to all who came along, looking forward to seeing you again in 2020.
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A BIG THANK YOU to our amazing Conservation Volunteers - another year's work in the park keeping it a wonderful place for wildlife and people to share.
This month the gang shifted all the remaining stone finishing off the new pathway be the entrance to New England Wood and the park is a little better for it. All the photos HERE! |
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Friends of Cherry Orchard Park bagged the top award of £4,000 from Tesco's community grant scheme. Bags of Help is run in partnership with environmental charity Groundwork and sees grants awarded to thousands of local community projects every year. Since launching in 2015, it's provided more than £75 million to over 25,000 local community projects. Friends of Cherry Orchard Park were awarded £4,000 and our PATHWAY ACCESS AND IMPROVEMENT project has been brought to life. |
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THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO USED THEIR TESCO TOKENS TO VOTE FOR THIS PROJECT!
From 30th September 2019 a Rochford District Council Enforcement Officer will be carrying out unannounced spot checks in the park. The officer, wearing a bodycam, will be able to issue Fixed Penalty Notices and fines of £100 to anyone not clearing up after their dog. Thanks to RDC for this initiative.
Membership - Members of the group find out first about opportunities to help in the park, events happening in the park and have the opportunity to be part of consultations held by Rochford District Council regarding the future development of the park. It's easy to join for just £5 per household per year - JOIN ON LINE HERE. Members can also be part of our Conservation Volunteer Group.
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Fantastic final video of the car park extension from our friend Norm Bright. This not only shows how it looks now that the work is all but finished, but shows shots from the progress along the way as well. It's just beautiful to watch. Thank you very much Norm, your video updates have been much appreciated. There has been no information from RDC regarding the official re-opening of the car park. Will let you know as and when.
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SURVEY: Thank you to everyone who took part in our survey. A great many members of the Friends took the time to complete it and the results have given us, and Rochford District Council, a clear idea of what users feel is important in the development of our park.
The overall impression that the results give is that people actually like the park the way it is, there being no support for changes such as cafes, toilets, agility trails, gyms etc. People would however, like to see improvements in conservation efforts, maintaining path ways and reducing litter.
The most voted for high cost project was weather proofing pathways through the park to improve accessibility for all.
The most voted for low cost project was to provide additional bird and insect boxes and the planting of wild flowers.
The Friends committee has initiated a search for grants that the group can apply for to improve pathways/accessibility in the park. This will also mean that more litter/dog waste bins could be provided as there will be year round access to them for maintenance and emptying. It is a long term aim and Rochford District Council have promised their support.
In the meantime we are pleased to be able to proved a further 10 new nest boxes for small birds, to compliment the 4 owl boxes we erected last year.
The overall impression that the results give is that people actually like the park the way it is, there being no support for changes such as cafes, toilets, agility trails, gyms etc. People would however, like to see improvements in conservation efforts, maintaining path ways and reducing litter.
The most voted for high cost project was weather proofing pathways through the park to improve accessibility for all.
The most voted for low cost project was to provide additional bird and insect boxes and the planting of wild flowers.
The Friends committee has initiated a search for grants that the group can apply for to improve pathways/accessibility in the park. This will also mean that more litter/dog waste bins could be provided as there will be year round access to them for maintenance and emptying. It is a long term aim and Rochford District Council have promised their support.
In the meantime we are pleased to be able to proved a further 10 new nest boxes for small birds, to compliment the 4 owl boxes we erected last year.
FOCOP is registered with easyfundraising - find out more here.
Who can use the Bridleway? - more information here.
How to report an incident or a problem in the park - click here.
Who can use the Bridleway? - more information here.
How to report an incident or a problem in the park - click here.
Who are the Friends of Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park?
In the Spring of 2010, a ‘Friends of Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park’ group was formed. This allows us, the local community, to have a say in how our local park is managed. As we are the users of these facilities, we are best placed to say what is needed in the park.
What are our aims?
- To encourage more people, from all sections of the community, to use the park and to enjoy its full potential and promote an atmosphere of mutual appreciation and respect.
- To protect, conserve and enhance The Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park as a place of freedom, recreation and enjoyment for the long term benefit of all sections of the local community.
- To use its funds to support, maintain and increase the facilities in the park
- To act as a focal point for the involvement of the community in
consultations with Rochford District Council concerning the park.
Our constitution was updated at the 2015 Annual General Meeting. A copy is available here.
Membership
Membership is open to everyone who shares the Aims of our Friends group and costs just £5.00 per household per annum. This enables us to hold regular meetings, provide Newsletters, maintain the website and hopefully arrange informative and fun events for all the family. Go to the membership page to join on line or download a membership form.
Members are encouraged to contribute to this website. Contact us for more information.
The Friends of Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park have a hard working and enthusiastic committee who work within a constitution agreed with Rochford District Council
Members are encouraged to contribute to this website. Contact us for more information.
The Friends of Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park have a hard working and enthusiastic committee who work within a constitution agreed with Rochford District Council