Little has happened on the land in the last month. The crops are still in their dormant phase with low soil temperatures. They all look a little aneamic, in need of some warmth and sunshine to get them moving once spring arrives. The roadside hedges have been cut and they too will start to bud in March.

We spent a busy Saturday morning in February on the Village Green, taking down four tall self sown ash trees and pollarding one of the willows. It will be interesting to see it re-grow during the coming years.

My first memories of the Green were when it was very rough; it had two large ditches crossing it from the road to the Grimmer, a cinder road ran from the front of Wickham Place to the other side and Romaine’s grandfather grazed his cattle on it. The small Green, the end between the shop and the old school, was used as a tip which was covered in heaps of fire ashes and all sorts of rubbish was tipped there, including a few honey buckets in the dead of night! During the summer it would be a metre deep in nettles and thistles.

Occasionally gypsies would camp on the Green for a few days and every year a travelling fair would turn up. lt was just one family with a large lorry, a trailer with all the equipment and a caravan towed behind. They had swing boats, a merry-go-round and a coconut shy.

ln the mid 50’s the Parish Council had the Green levelled and drained. Then Dick Canfer ploughed it and planted it with grass. There were no trees on the Green except for two tall poplars in front of Green Farm. It was imperative that no trees grew near the Grimmer because people were still using the water for drinking. Heavy oak steps went down the bank from where to collect your water. Later, once the water main was established, the willows and other trees were planted. All the ash trees are self sown.

Spring's around the corner.

NM

Spring is Really Coming

If you would like to have your spirits lifted by a beautiful spread of snowdrops and aconites call in at Sheila and Ron's garden at Kisumu, The Street, and have a look around. lt's enough to lift the winter blues and we don't mind at all if we look out of our windows and see neighbours in the garden. Don't be shy, give it a try!

Toad Patrol

March migration - If anybody would like to help by collecting toads crossing the roads by the Grimmer, we would really appreciate it. All you need is a torch and a bucket and if possible to wear something reflective as you will be on the road. If you would like to help could you please contact Rosie Bassett. (See last year's photos)

RB

Nature Notes

Now that March is here we are officially at the start of the 3 months that constitute spring, but dependant on the weather those things that we associate with spring in our minds do not always happen at the same time. For example we were in Devon in Mid February and there were already daffodils and primroses in bloom when here the snowdrops were just about opening and the daffodils are just pushing through. However, nothing seems to stop that early starter the horse chestnut which already has its 'sticky buds' filling out.

Something we heard also indicated the change of season and was very surprising indeed and that was a Nightingale. According to the books these do not appear until April (mid spring) but there he was singing away from dusk to dawn. I say he as it is only the unpaired males that sing regularly at night in an attempt to attract a mate. The name has been in use for over a thousand years with the Anglo Saxon word nihtingale, meaning night songstress (it was originally assumed that the females were the ones doing the singing) easily recognisable as the source of the word we use today.

RB

Do you care about your village?

Do you like living in Wickham Skeith and want to help? Can you see ways to improve the village? We are looking for someone to join us on the Parish Council. lt will not involve much of your time. We meet once every two months and occasionally tackle projects between meetings. In the last year the Parish Council has carried out tree works to improve visibility round the Village Green; has initiated a speed survey in the village and subsequently secured a Community Speed Check initiative with volunteers to be trained in its use; organized a litter pick; obtained replacement mirrors and road signs where damaged by vehicles; provided new and better litter bins on the Green. We pass comment on planning applications, seek the views of residents and act as a link to your district and county councils. We could do more with your help. If you want to find out more about the role please contact the Chairman - Stephen Sparrow.