NAILSEA
PEOPLE
Flower peeps
Nailsea and District Horticultural Society,
other environmentally-friendly 'green' groups, litter picking and fly-tipping
and news about action on climate change
2022
2nd town green bid by council
Nailsea Town Council is urging residents to help it secure town green status for two pieces of land known as Trendlewood Community Park.
The land, on the west side of Trendlewood Way, either side of the road near the Farmhouse pub and restaurant, was sold by a London auction house earlier this year.
Despite Nailsea People applying to the Land Registry for the name of the purchaser it is still unknown and believed to be back on the market.
It is currently listed by McHugh & Co as Lot 140 to be auctioned on Thursday, December 8.
More details here https://www.onthemarket.com/details/12591155/.
Since the first freehold sale North Somerset Council has put a blanket TPO on all trees in the park.
Town clerk, Jo Duffy, said: “This area of land is extremely popular with members of the local community for all sorts of activities ranging from dog walking and running to picnicking and bird watching, with plenty in between - not to mention the community events that take place there.
"Nailsea Town Council wants it to remain available to the community and does not want to see the land developed, therefore it plans to submit a town green application to protect it.”
Town greens receive a considerable amount of protection under law and it is a criminal offence to undertake any act which interrupts the use of the area for exercise and recreation.
To enable the land to be registered as a Town Green, the council must prove it has been in use by the community for sports and pastimes for at least 20 years.
Jo added: “We need residents to demonstrate their support for the protection of this land and ask them to complete evidence forms to prove it has been in use by the community for more than 20 years “as of right”, without force, secrecy or permission.
"We need to act quickly to protect this land from any possible development, as if the new landowner submits a planning application before our application is processed our bid for it to become a Town Green will fail.”
Residents of all ages are invited to complete an evidence form, not just one per family but one for each family member who used to or still uses the park.
Evidence forms are available from No65 High Street, the Tithe Barn, or
TOWN GREEN: Gully off Trendlewood is a popular open space
downloaded from the town council website https://www.nailseatown.com/trendlewood-park-town-green-application
Photos taken of people enjoying Trendlewood Park, proving it has been used for 20 + years without exclusion, are also needed.
Time is of the essence so completed forms need to be returned to the council before Friday, December 23.
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An application in April 2022 to make the green slope between Nailsea and Backwell at The Perrings a 'town green' still hasn't been resolved after an objection by the land owners Persimmon. The site has been used as an open space since the development at The Perrings was built more than 40 years ago and the footpath is a shortcut to the railway station.
Has the rot set in?
Decaying wood and damp conditions has caused fungus to grow at the base of the sculpture on Nailsea village green.
Photographer Wendy Derrick spotted the mushroom like growth while out shopping on Saturday afternoon.
Sadly it is an indication of rot.
The towering oak tree which was a feature of Nailsea since the late 1800s was transformed into a new piece of art for the town in the summer of 2021.
Chainsaw sculptor Andy O’Neill created the woodland creatures’ artwork.
The oak tree on the village green on the High Street since 1897 had died and had to be removed.
Commissioned by Nailsea Town Council environment and leisure committee and allotted a budget of £2,500 work began on the project initiated by the then newly elected council vice-chairman Emily Miller in May last year.
Nailsea People Facebook reader Steve Lewis said: "I understand that fungi thrive on oaks in warm, humid conditions.
"Perhaps this particular fungal affliction could be treated with a proprietary fungicide and the sculpture also stabilised through installation of some form of discrete supporting structure, what say you Nailsea Town Council?"
And Mick Graham said: "I'm sure it can be saved - if Nailsea Town Council do something about it with an uncommon haste."
But Sally Nailsea said: "It was there last year too, it’s called nature, it does what it does."
Frederic Le Francais said: "Truffles, exciting news."
Pat Parle took the photo of similar fungus growing at the base of a tree on the Tyntesfield estate, thanks.
Read the story of the sculpture here https://www.nailseapeople.com/mighty-oak.
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GREEN AGENDA
Thursday, September 29
9.45am guided walk from 9 Sunnymede Road
Saturday, October 1
10am-2pm Climate conversations at 65 High Street
More information here https://greatbiggreenweek.com/
Best in Backwell show
The traditional Backwell Village Show is back for 2022 on Saturday afternoon, September 17 in the parish hall.
There are adult classes for horticulture, flower arranging, arts & crafts, cookery and photography.
And there are children’s classes for difference age groups which also has a section for handwriting.
All together there are 156 classes, lots of trophies and cash prizes to be won.
There is a special section for allotment holders.
In the past the event was called Backwell Flower Show and it began in 1978.
To download a schedule and entry forms – the deadline is Wednesday, September 14, click HERE.
One of the highlights for 2022 is the tallest sunflower competition growing in their gardens.
Entries must be submitted on Sunday, September 7, and judges will visit and verity those claiming to have the top tallest sunflowers.
This is open to people living in Backwell and Nailsea.
The show opens to the public 2-4.30pm.
PARCHED EARTH: All of England’s South West region is now in drought from the end of August 2022. This includes Bristol, Somerset, Dorset, south Gloucestershire and parts of Wiltshire which have all moved to drought status. Public and businesses in drought affected areas are urged to use water wisely as the dry summer impacts the environment. The Environment Agency said the announcement comes after some of the driest conditions in nearly 90 years. And it looks like the heatwave did for the young saplings planted at Nailsea Park as part of North Somerset Council rewilding project. The re-wilding of began in February 2020 with hundreds of small trees being planted across the district not always welcomed by people living nearby especially as the areas became strewn with plastic sleeves used to protect the saplings. Schoolchildren did a litter pick to clear some of the rubbish
Play areas consultation
North Somerset Council is inviting families to help shape proposals to improve two Nailsea play areas.
There are five play areas in total (Weston and Clevedon also in the mix) they are looking at and the consultation is open from Tuesday, August 30.
This follows the council’s announcement in July that it had £300,000 in capital funding to spend in in the next year.
For Nailsea it is £115,000 for Millennium Park and Pound Lane.
This investment is in addition to the £250,000 Improving Play Spaces Fund, which launched in April, providing capital matched funding for projects across the area.
The capital investment will be used to make improvements at the five parks including:
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repairing or replacing safety surfacing,
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replacing broken equipment and/or installing new equipment,
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repainting existing equipment, and
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repairing fencing where needed.
The consultation asks for families to comment on a range of play equipment which will appeal to all age ranges and abilities, including those children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
North Somerset Council executive member for neighbourhoods and community services Mike Solomon is independent councillor for the Hutton and Locking ward.
He said: “This is the first of a five-year capital investment programme created to deliver a much-needed improvement in play areas.
“Ongoing budget cuts during the past few years has meant that we’ve seen
little significant investment in our play areas, so we’re playing catch-up.
“We’ve assessed all our play areas and investment is being targeted where it’s needed most.
“I urge families that use the five parks we’re focussing to improve this year to take part in the consultation.
“We’re ready to listen and open to thoughts on our proposals – we want to make sure that our money is invested in the way that brings most benefit to local children and young people.”
To find out more and take part in the consultation by noon on Tuesday, October 11, visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/play22.
All projects will be delivered by the end of March 2023.
WOMEN WORKING: A group of long-time friends and neighbours has sponsored a flower planter at Nailsea High Street.
What a great idea by Golden Goss Ladies. Nailsea in Bloom supported by Nailsea Town Council has planted more than 3,000 colourful blooms this summer to bring some cheers to our streets. These are maintained by a small army of volunteers. Chairman Wendy Mobbs said: "It cost £75 per year to sponsor a planter. Maybe there are other small groups who would like to do the same?" Email Wendy.mobbs@outlook.com for more information
After cancelling the 2020 and 2021 Nailsea & District Horticultural Society summer shows Saturday, August 6, at Nailsea School was a fantastic event with a real village feel.
As well as flowers and vegetables there were the traditional pots of jam and homemade cakes with crafts and photographs galore.
The first prize for the fluffy rabbit made out of recycled carpet slips was a triumph.
Overall like other horticultural shows in the area entries were 30 per cent down as the gardeners, floral artists and artisans attempt to reestablish themselves after the lockdown years.
Joint show secretary Martyn Davis believed the weather had something to do with it but he says that every year come hail or high water.
The schedule of 274 classes plus trophies, awards and medals included a lump in the throat moment when Jeff Withers collected the Phillip Williams Memorial Cup from Nailsea Town Council chairman Mike Bird.
Jeff said: "I am so pleased to be the first person to have won this cup."
We took a moment to remember much-loved Phil a former president of the society.
Martyn and fellow joint show secretary Jane Knight held everything together and were really happy that visitors numbers were well up on previous years as people were so pleased to see the show back.
Martyn said: "I’m not sure how obvious it might have been, but we had a bit of a disaster on Saturday afternoon when the computer printer stopped working.
"We had to finish some of the prize cards and all of the trophy results using pen and paper!
"We more or less got away with it except that we missed giving the trophy for the best pot plant entry to Tony Willoughby due to confusion over one digit in his entry number."
And no-one won the Bob Vance Trophy for their peas and beans or the Sylvia Pullin Trophy for novice’s floral art class 104 although we aren't sure why, we didn't ask Martyn as he would have blamed the weather.
2023 diary dates spring show Saturday, April 1, and summer show Saturday, August 5.
2022 WINNERS AND AWARDS
Medals
NATIONAL VEGETABLE SOCIETY MEDAL Best individual dish of vegetables JJ Williams; RHS BANKSIAN MEDAL most points in horticultural classes Martyn Davis; NATIONAL SWEET PEA SOCIETY MEDAL best exhibit in sweet pea classes Martyn Davis and NATIONAL SWEET PEA SOCIETY MEDAL best exhibit in sweet pea classes Martyn Davis.
Trophy winners
PHILLIP WILLIAMS MEMORIAL TROPHY best exhibit in horticultural classes Jeff Withers; JOHN WEEKS MEMORIAL PLAQUE most points in members’ classes Martyn Davis; NAILSEA TOWN COUNCIL TROPHY most points in allotment holders’ classes Colin Griffin; ROBERT HOBBS TROPHY most points in horticultural classes I-98 Martyn Davis; COTTAGERS’ CUP most points in vegetables classes I-35 JJ Williams; NAYSLEY PLATE best exhibit in vegetables classes 1-35 JJ Williams; RAYMOND RANDALL TROPHY most points in potato and onions classes JJ Williams; REG HARVEY MEMORIAL TROPHY best exhibit in cut flowers classes 37–71 Jeff Withers; TOM AND EDITH GREENWOOD TROPHY most points in cut flower classes 46–72 Colin Griffin; ERIC AND MARY ROBINS AWARD most points in dahlia classes 37–45 Martyn Davis; ENID GILES TROPHY most points in roses classes 61–64 Christine Foster; DICK MITCHELL CUP most points in sweet pea classes 65–67 and M6 Martyn Davis; EDITH BALSDON TROPHY best rose exhibit Martyn Davis; JIM LORD TROPHY best gladiolus exhibit R Harper; THATCHER CUP best exhibit in class 72 collection of flowers Colin Griffin; HARRY BENNET MEMORIAL TROPHY most points in pot plant classes 74-89 Jeff Withers; GORDON ADAIR CUP best exhibit in pot plant classes 74-89 Tony Willoughby; MRS GORDON ADAIR CUP best exhibit class 74 three pot plants Martyn Davis; BILL& EILEEN COPESTAKE PLANTED CONTAINERS AWARD Sue Irwin; Bristol Gardeners Association CURTIS CUP best exhibit in planted containers classes 90-92 Sue Irwin; FRANK CALCRAFT MEMORIAL CUP most points in fruit classes 93-98 Mrs D Tublin.
Arts and crafts
MARY FILMER MEMORIAL TROPHY best use of plant material in floral art Helen Glanville; DE BUNCE CUP best exhibit in floral art classes 100-104 Carol Tovell; HP LUCAS CUP most points in cookery classes 120–138 Marie Evans; CIS WEEKS COOKERY VOUCHER best exhibit in cookery classes 120-138 Marie Evans; JESSE AND PHYLLIS WILLIAMS TROPHY most points in cookery and preserves classes 120-150 Jane Knight; MAKEPEACE TROPHY most points in preserves classes 145-150 Jane Knight; PENNY SANTER AWARD best exhibit in handicraft classes Jocelyn Smith; AUDREY BAKER TROPHY most points in handicrafts classes 162-175 Marie Evans; MERCURY CHALLENGE CUP most points in photography classes 184 - 190 G Parsons.
Childrens' classes
BEST EXHIBIT IN CHILDREN’S CLASSES aged four and under Graeme Wilson; 5-7 Ayda Winks; 8-11 Cleo Winks; 12-16 Kathryn Morgan; MOST POINTS IN CHILDREN’S HANDICRAFTS aged four and under joint winners Graeme Wilson and Jack Mason; 5-7 Ayda Winks; 8-11 Cleo Winks; 12-16 Kathryn Morgan; MOST POINTS IN CHILDREN’S COOKERY 8 -11 joint winners Sophie Summerfield and Cleo Winks; 12-16 not awarded.
Nailsea park people at Trendlewood
It's another ‘high five’ for North Somerset's parks and green spaces!
Five sites will proudly fly the Green Flag again this year:
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Abbots Pool in Abbots Leigh
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Watchhouse Hill in Pill
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Trendlewood Community Park in Nailsea
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Prince Consort Gardens in Weston-super-Mare
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Uphill Hill Local Nature Reserve in Weston-super-Mare.
The Green Flag Award scheme is managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. It recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.
Flying the prestigious Green Flag is the mark of a quality park or green space and is a sign that the site boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.
Councillor Mike Solomon,
North Somerset Council executive member for neighbourhoods and community services Mike Solomon is the Independent ward councillor for Hutton and Locking.
He said: "Our parks and green spaces play a vital role for people as a place to relax and exercise.
"Achieving these awards again reflects the commitment and skills of our hardworking volunteers and officers in our Parks and Natural Environment teams in delivering excellent facilities for our local communities.
"I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them along with our contractors, Glendale and Somerset Wood Recycling.
“Congratulations to all involved, this is really fantastic news and having not one, but five Green Flag sites is something North Somerset should be really proud of.”
Keep Britain Tidy accreditation manager Paul Todd, said: “I would like to
congratulate everyone involved in making these parks worthy of a Green Flag Award.
“They are vital green spaces for the community in North Somerset.
"The award is testament to all the hard work of staff and volunteers, who do so much to make sure that they maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”
More information about the Green Flag Award scheme, including an interactive map of all the parks and green spaces that have achieved this standard, is available at https://greenflagaward.org.
Photo: Some of the Friends of Trendlewood Community Park in Nailsea holding the Green Flag Award 2022-23. From left Pat Gilbert, Charles Elliot and Andrew Town
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Recycling solved
Nailsea residents are being urged to help recycling crews in the extreme summer heat by correctly sorting their recycling and placing it out earlier than normal.
The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for extreme heat until the end of Tuesday, July 19.
Recycling and waste crews will be starting from 6am to make the most of the cooler conditions so containers need to be put out earlier than usual on collection days.
Residents are being asked to help by making sure their recycling is well-sorted, so crews don’t have to spend time sorting at the kerbside.
It only takes 20 seconds to collect a well sorted box but up to two minutes for a box that is mixed.
Well sorted boxes will save the crew time standing on the hot pavement and will also help them to complete their rounds before it gets too hot.
Crews all have sun cream, sun hats and may finish early if necessary. Any unfinished routes will be returned to the following day.
North Somerset’s three recycling centres at Backwell, Portishead and Weston-super-Mare are open as normal.
Cllr Mike Solomon,
North Somerset Council executive member for neighbourhoods and community services is Mike Solomon the Independent ward councillor for Hutton and Locking.
He said: “Our crews do a fantastic job and it isn’t always an easy job working outside in extreme weather conditions.
"Over this extremely hot period please do think about the crew and help them where possible.
"Please make sure your recycling boxes are sorted so that plastic and metal are in one box with paper separated down one end and in your other box glass is separated from cardboard and cartons.’’
For the latest updates, please visit the council's website www.n-somerset.gov.uk/waste and the Recycling and Waste Team social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter.
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If the crews don't take your rubbish you can deliver it yourself to the Backwell 'dump' or call a company advertising on this page which specialises in sorting stuff you don't need or want!
BIN BOTHER: An urgent plea went to North Somerset Council this week to please remove the rubbish stacked up in recycling bins at Clevedon Road car park, Nailsea. We were told other bins in the town are also overflowing and one resident complained his bins spent more time outside his house waiting for collection than his car! Town councillor Dee Houlbrook who is chair of the leisure and environment committee was concerned about health issues in the hot weather and reported the problem said some rubbish was removed later on Friday, July 8...but more to go
FLOWER PEOPLE: Nailsea Town Council took delivery of 3,465 flowers and plants at the Tithe Barn for the massive job of planting with a regal theme the beds and planters throughout the town. The flower bed on the corner of High Street and Stockway North is already showing its true red, white and blue colours. Offers of help to Wendy Mobbs on wendy.mobbs@outlook.com
Litterbugs list
Don't want to appear smug but North Somerset Council has just released its list of people fined for littering in public and guess what not a Nailsea (or nearby) name on the list.
In total 52 people have been ordered to pay over £19,000 in fines as a result of prosecutions by North Somerset Council for breaches of Public Space Protection Orders.
The cases of breached Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) were heard at North Somerset Magistrates Court over four days in April and May.
46 of the charges brought were for littering by dropping a cigarette, three charges were for having a dog off its lead in an area where dogs must be on leads, and four charges were for having a dog in an exclusion zone.
Total fines ranged from £174 to £404 depending on means and whether a guilty plea was entered. North Somerset Council were awarded costs in all cases.
Each person had been given a fixed penalty notice for £75, sent at least one reminder letter but failed to pay.
Full name and shame list HERE
There was some outrage on Nailsea People Facebook page that people were being fined more for dropping littter that drink driving but it was pointed out the size of the fine may be based on abilityy to pay.
Litter pickers
Nailsea Community Litter Heroes is part of the Nailsea Community Group and was formerly known as Better Nailsea. The remit of the Litter Heroes is to encourage local residents to help keep the town free of litter. They meet at 26 Somerset Square for regular litter picking sessions usually on a Saturday morning 10am-noon with gloves and pickers provided
Nasty weeds growing in Nailsea
Have we got the devastatingly invasive plant Japanese knotweed growing in a Nailsea?
Nailsea In Bloom gardeners who look after the town centre planters have put up this notice in the beds it tends on the linear park new the fire station.
It says: 'This planting bed has been left empty due to a very invasive weed. This will be spraying by professionals and ten left empty for 12 months to eradicate the weed.'
The fast-growing weed was brought to Britain by the Victorians as an ornamental garden plant and to line railway tracks to stabilise the soil, according to the Daily Mail.
While it is controlled by fungus and insects in Asia, it has no natural enemies in the UK, where it can wreak havoc on gardens.
Invasive plant specialists at Environet say they have discovered Japanese knotweed infestations nationwide with Bolton, Bristol, St Helens and Blackburn top the list as the UK hotspots for the weed.
To get rid of the knotweed using organic methods includes digging the plant out of the ground or removing all the leaves to stop the plant photosynthesising.
However, these methods can take years to have an effect, and you'll need to regularly check the plant to remove new leaf buds when you see them.
The other option is a chemical method, for which you'll need to get an expert in.
Gardeners World advises: 'A glyphosate-based weedkiller is the best option here, though bear in mind it can take several applications, over up to four seasons, to completely eradicate Japanese knotweed.'
Japanese knotweed is incredibly durable and fast-growing, and can seriously damage buildings and construction sites if left unchecked.
UPDAT 1: Nailsea in Bloom spokesman Wendy Mobbs says weed in Clevedon Road flowerbeds is Oxalis. Although attractive looking as an ornamental garden or glasshouse plants, some oxalis species can become a nuisance in the garden, according to RHS
UPDATE 2: North Somerset Council parks and open spaces team have been alerted to poisonous plants growing around play equipment at Trendlewood Park. Lords-and-ladies flowers in April and May followed in autumn by a conspicuous spike of orange-red berries. All parts of the plant are poisonous according to the Royal Horticultural Society
Garden waste bins time to sign-up
North Somerset garden waste customers wishing to continue to receive collections after Friday, June 17, must renew their subscription.
Once renewed, customers will continue to receive garden waste collections until Friday, March 31, 2023.
Garden waste customers can check their collection dates on the council’s website at: www.n-somerset.gov.uk/calendar.
The renewal rate is £40 for each garden waste bin, with a maximum of two per household.
Those unable to have garden waste bins pay the same cost of £40 for three garden waste sacks.
Households can have a maximum of six sacks.
Existing garden waste customers who are unable to renew online are encouraged to ask a friend or relative to help, or to visit a library.
All North Somerset libraries have free WiFi and computers that can be used to access the internet.
Alternatively, customers can call 01934 888802 and renew over the phone but they are advised that there could be a long wait during busy times.
North Somerset Council is unable to take this payment in person, so customers are advised not to visit council offices.
Customers unable to pay by credit/debit card should call 01934 888802 to discuss alternatives.
Customers who renew will receive a new permit sticker for each bin.
This will be sent in the post within 10 working days.
Following feedback from last year, addresses will now be printed on permits to help crews identify which households have signed up.
Garden waste sack customers will receive one permit tag for every three garden waste sacks.
Those customers are asked to write their address on the tag before attaching it to one of their bags.
The cost of subscription is subsidised for customers who receive council tax support.
Those customers will pay £10 for each bin or three sacks.
This discount is automatically applied at renewal for those who receive council tax support only.
North Somerset Council executive member for neighbourhoods and community services Mike Solomon is the Independent ward councillor for Hutton and Locking.
He said: "Within our new recycling and waste strategy, we acknowledge that changing the way that we deal with garden waste has a key role to play in achieving our ambition to be carbon neutral by 2030.
“Our priority is to encourage residents to compost their garden waste
instead of using the chargeable collection service or recycling centres. I’d therefore urge all residents who produce garden waste to visit our website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/composting where they can find details of discounted compost bins, a free e-learning course, our Master Composter scheme and much more.”
Those who don’t renew their garden waste subscription for 2022-23 will automatically stop receiving collections after Friday, June 17.
The council’s recycling and waste team will contact them by email or letter to arrange collection of their empty garden waste bin(s).
More information about the garden waste scheme can be found at:
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www.n-somerset.gov.uk/gardenwaste and North Somerset Council’s Recycling and Waste Strategy 2021-2030 can be found at
SAVE THE PLANET JUNIORS: Children from Year 6 Eco Council at Golden Valley Primary School became green warriors again this week when they joined in the rewilding tidy up organised by Nailsea Town Council and North Somerset Council. The young people had helped with the initial planting and were back to removed plastic tree guards and to do some weeding at Hawthorn Way, Nailsea
GO WILD GARDENERS: On Wednesday, May 18, 10am-noon Nailsea Town Council together with North Somerset Council is to tidy up the rewilding project at Hawthorn Way. It is hoped to help the trees that have survived thrive and remove any dead trees. A spokesman said: "We will be removing the plastic supports, removing dead trees, weeding and generally tidying up the area. Any help would be much appreciated and will make a huge difference to this beloved patch of land in our town. Please let us know if you can make it and bring your own gardening gloves. You are welcome to bring your own tools for weeding but we may also provide some of our own."