All the photos on the site have been taken in Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park unless stated otherwise.
Not a member yet - JOIN NOW! £5 PER HOUSEHOLD PER YEAR. Join HERE!
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At last! It's been almost 6 years in the thinking, planning and funding and today machinery is on site to begin Essex Wildlife Trust's improvement to the lake. This will return it to its original purpose - a WILDLIFE LAKE. The channel that brings water to the lake at permitted times of the year, known as Dave's Dyke, will be opened up and widened in places to provide wide shallow pools. We hope this will encourage frogs, toads, newts, herons etc. There will be an extension to the existing plantation nearby to provide an area of 'wet woodland'. This type of environment is becoming increasingly scarce all over the country. The lake margins will be regraded and a system of narrow 'reed banks' planted to stop erosion in future and again provide habitat for amphibians. This is all very exciting and I know that it is something that our members, and all park users, have wanted for a very long time.
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Regenerating the wildlife lake Progress.....
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Park History
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Then.....
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.....and now!
The post close to the tree is the same one that you can see on the left edge of the earlier photo.
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Conservation Volunteers - October 2002.
Working in the orchard again this month to take the hay off the ground. A beautiful bright autumn day and a great turn out of volunteers. As well as working in the orchard a second team cut back the small paths that lead from the orchard meadow back onto the Old Southend Bridleway. Thank you everyone for your hard work. More photos on the Volunteers page HERE. |
BAT WALK - October 2022
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The Friends first Bat Walk was very successful - something we will certainly hope to be able to do again, maybe next year. The weather was just right. Following a rainy night when hunting for food would have been difficult, the bats were ready to come out this evening. Just before sunset the first bats were seen and the echo location bat detectors started their noisy chatter. It was a fascinating evening and we learned so much. A focus of the evening was to record the location and type of bats seen and definite sightings of three different types of bats were recorded with maybe a fourth; common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle, Daubenton's and possibly noctule. Thanks go to Richard and Ashley, both mines of information and a great help with the bat detectors. A great 'Friends' walk. (More photos on the Events page.)
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Very happy to be part of Eastwood Community Event at the end of August. Lots of information about the park was ready and available and we were happy to welcome some new members to the group too. Thanks to the members and committee who came along to support the event.
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Click HERE to report an incident or problem in the park.
Click HERE to report an incident or problem in the park.
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From 30th September 2019 a Rochford District Council Enforcement Officer has been carrying out unannounced spot checks in the park. The officer, wearing a bodycam, is able to issue Fixed Penalty Notices and fines of £100 to anyone not clearing up after their dog. Thanks to RDC for this initiative.
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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.
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 is reviewed annually at theAGM and updated when necessary. . 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