Dronfield Eye Issue 213 September 2023

More documents

Recommendations

Info

dronfield EYE Why giant hogweed is causing a stir Our wildlife correspondent, Prof Ian Rotherham, explains why we should all be on our guard against an invading giant! I HAVE grown giant hogweed in my garden a couple of times, in part to become more familiar with its form and behaviour. I did pay the penalty when I accidentally brushed against the hairy stem, and it triggered a skin-rash! This is a remarkable plant used for spectacular effects by Victorian ‘wild gardeners’, championed by the foremost garden writer of the later 19th century, William Robinson. He advocated naturalising plants such as this, Japanese knotweed, giant knotweed, Himalayan balsam and the wild rhododendron, ‘in the more remote parts of one’s estate’. I guess this is nice if one has ‘an estate’ but even so, all the way from the Caucasus courtesy of England’s gardeners, and a century-and-a-half later they have rather a lot to answer for. Interestingly, most of our ‘problem’ invasive, non-native wild plants came via this route and were deliberately introduced to gardens and the countryside where they thrive. In this case, the rather stunning plants are close to my home in Graves Park, Sheffield, and when recently spotted by an eagle-eyed river surveyor they have caused quite a stir. Giant hogweed is especially dramatic as it can grow maybe 15ft or more in height and boasts a massively impressive ‘umbel’ of white flowers that will ultimately produce thousands of fertile seeds. A problem with hogweed is that it can easily cause a most unpleasant photosensitive skin rash if you brush against Ian’s hogweed-scarred wrist its stout, prickly hairs. However, less well-known is that the much smaller common hogweed does something similar but is far less vicious. The Graves Park (nee Norton Park) site is fairly typical of locations across the country where grand houses and their gardens or parks were stocked with exotic (and highly prized) plants from around the world. Nearby Oakes Park had giant hogweed and Japanese knotweed in the walled garden and around the serpentine lake, and Totley Hall in the upper Sheaf Valley, the same. This Graves Park population was one I found in 1978, whilst watching a rare bird, a night heron, on what was then the boating lake. Soon afterwards, we managed to get all the plants eliminated from the shoreline where they endangered people and restricted them to just the island. It was agreed that the plants remaining there would be routinely dead-headed each year before the seeds set in order to prevent unwanted spread. This was even documented in a short ITN Calendar programme around 20 years ago. However, the hogweed has bolted already for freedom, and it occurs down the River Sheaf where attempts at control have had limited success. You can expect to find giant hogweed along riverbanks, railway lines, and roadsides or derelict land across the region, and I have seen large stands on the Rother, south of Chesterfield, for example. I am always interested in your records but beware of ‘big’ common hogweed causing confusion. Generally, if you are unsure then it is common because if it really is giant hogweed, you will know because it really is massive! If unsure then treat with utmost caution, don’t grow it at home (and it is illegal to cause it to grow in the ‘wild’), and never, never use the hollow stems as a blowpipe which I have seen kids doing in urban Hull! Have you spotted giant hogweed growing in the <strong>Dronfield</strong> <strong>Eye</strong> area? Prof Ian D. Rotherham, researcher, writer, broadcaster on wildlife and environmental issues is contactable on ianonthewildside@ukeconet.org ; follow his website and blog: www.ukeconet.org & ianswalkonthewildside.wordpress.com/ & Twitter @IanThewildside 30 Giant hogweed pictured by William Robinson in the late 19th century Common hogweed Giant hogweed
dronfield EYE How you can become a moorlands volunteer M OORS for the Future Partnership has opened up applications for people to join their team of volunteers for the first time since the Covid pandemic. Local people are invited to get hands on to protect the Peak District’s precious peatland landscape and directly help to tackle climate change by getting involved in blanket bog restoration work. Volunteer applications were closed back in March 2020 when the UK went into the first pandemic lockdown and all volunteering activities were suspended. Volunteer work has begun again on the moors in recent years thanks to a dedicated team of long-serving volunteers who have been working with science and monitoring teams. With multiple new sites across the Peak District on the horizon, Moors for the Future Partnership are now looking to expand the group again and welcome new volunteers. Opportunities range from taking part in vegetation surveys to recording plant species on site, monitoring water levels, and planting our sphagnum moss, which will have a direct impact on the health of the uplands for years to come. As well as creating peatland habitats that are home for a rich array of wildlife such as curlew and mountain hare, sphagnum moss is a highly effective carbon store. It is also able to absorb up to 20 times its own weight in water, holding peak water flow on the hills, rather than allowing it to overwhelm river systems. Training is given so anyone can go along and join the team of volunteers. Visit www.moorsforthefuture.org.uk/get-involved Ian pictured holding aloft a dead giant hogweed in winter 31
Page 1 and 2: dronfield Issue 213 September 2023
Page 3 and 4: Time For Travel Find your perfect t
Page 5 and 6: Surround yourself with a team you c
Page 7 and 8: A barnstorming design W hen a Killa
Page 9 and 10: dronfield EYE Equity Release Homeow
Page 11 and 12: ln these uncertain times of rising
Page 13 and 14: Ice, Ice, Bay-by Bay windows are a
Page 15 and 16: RESIN BOUND DRIVEWAYS, PATHS & PATI
Page 17 and 18: These days most homeowners suffer f
Page 19 and 20: dronfield EYE 19
Page 21 and 22: “Cannot recommend these guys enou
Page 23 and 24: Pictured outside the home of John a
Page 25 and 26: Whatever you do at home, stay warm
Page 27 and 28: LAND for local youth A METEK Land,
Page 29: Dronfield & District Getting the mo
Page 33 and 34: Could you help festive appeal? Loca
Page 35 and 36: Coal Aston’s Bob Davies photograp
Page 37 and 38: DUSTER BUSTER’S Commercial Cleani
Page 39 and 40: You may qualify to Join Costco EVER
Page 41 and 42: dronfield EYE Your local flooring s
Page 43 and 44: Sudden death of rocker Roy A famili
Page 45 and 46: dronfield EYE Mobile Foot Care - Ho
Page 47 and 48: WELCOMING NEW CLIENTS MANCHESTER A5
Page 49 and 50: dronfield EYE chris fields design l
Page 51 and 52: UK Window Repairs WINDOW AND DOOR R
Page 53 and 54: EYE on business Caring approach of
Page 55 and 56: EYE on business City charity set fo
Page 57 and 58: EYE on business Creative solutions
Page 59 and 60: EYE on business Medieval venue with
Page 61 and 62: WHEN Alfred Dunham returned to Dron
Page 63 and 64: dronfield EYE LAWRENCE JENKINSON OP
Page 65 and 66: dronfield EYE £1,100 for Responder
Page 67 and 68: dronfield EYE Left: My guide to Har
Page 69 and 70: dronfield EYE SUPPORT BOLSOVER’S
Page 71 and 72: dronfield EYE SUNDAY CARVERY 12noon
Page 73 and 74: Trusted Independent Financial Advic
Page 75 and 76: dronfield EYE Detailing, valeting a
Page 77 and 78: Bradway Plumbing Services From a ga
Page 79 and 80: Professional and discreet service f
Page 81 and 82:
Chimney Sweeping CCTV Inspection Bi
Page 83 and 84:
Alfa Gas Services Ltd Heating and P
show all

Dronfield Eye Issue 213 September 2023

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?