Village Voices (June 2013 Edition)

The June edition of Village Voices is now available to read online. This is the community magazine for Hoo and Chattenden. Just click the image below, which will take you to the 'editions' page of the Village Voices website - then click the June edition.

This edition includes promotion of the coming Cabaret Night being held at Taggs Coffee Shop and Wine Bar on Thursday 20 June (in aid of the Hoo Village Carnival Committee), a history of Lodge Hill (from a development perspective) by Parish Councillor Lionel Pearce, a very interesting article about ‘identity’ by Rolf Williams from the RSPB and much much more!

Take a look at the Village Voices website by clicking here.

  

Battle of the songsters!

It was good to catch up with Rolf Williams from the RSPB earlier today in Hoo for a coffee at Taggs Coffee Shop, promoting the coming North Kent Walking Festival.

Click here to take a look at the walking festival guide I posted on Sunday.

Following the information I was given by the RSPB at the weekend (Going for a song - Nightingales in North Kent), I thought you might also like to hear two singing Nightingales competing with each other at RSPB Northward Hill. This was recorded by Rolf recently.

Enjoy listening to the Nightingales on the video below.

Thanks Rolf for sharing this!
 

Village Voices (May 2013 Edition)

The May edition of Village Voices (the community magazine for Hoo St. Werburgh and Chattenden) is now available to read online. Just click the image below to see the full copy.

This edition includes an article from The Chimes and Pastures Residents Association, a Bird Names Wordsearch, a photo feature from the Strood Division of Girlguiding UK, a special report by Rolf Williams from the RSPB, local events and diary dates, a report from the Hoo Village Carnival Committee, advice for teenagers in the ‘adolescent angle’ feature and plenty of local insight in a double-whammy of ‘hobbies and pastimes’.

Take a look at the Village Voices website by clicking here.

  

Village Voices (April 2013 Edition)

The April edition of Village Voices (the community magazine for Hoo St. Werburgh and Chattenden) is now available to read online. Just click the image below to see the full copy.

This edition includes an update on the Lodge Hill development at Chattenden, information about a new children’s play area in Hoo, a fascinating article by Rolf Williams from the RSPB, a Hoo Clean Up photo-special and lots of other interesting features and local advertising.

Take a look at the Village Voices website by clicking here.

  

Village Voices (March 2013 Edition)

The March edition of Village Voices (the community magazine for Hoo St. Werburgh and Chattenden), is now available to read online. Just click the image below to read the full copy.

This edition includes an interesting ‘questions and answers’ piece with Kent's new Police and Crime Commissioner Ann Barnes, details of the next Hoo Clean Up (on Saturday 30 March), another fascinating article by Rolf Williams from the RSPB, a special 'no estuary airport' report from local MP Mark Reckless and many other interesting items and local advertising.

Take a look at the Village Voices website by clicking here.

  

Village Voices (February 2013 Edition)

The February edition of Village Voices (the community magazine for Hoo St. Werburgh and Chattenden), is now available to read online. Just click the image below to read the full copy.

This edition includes an interesting ‘questions and answers’ piece with Inspector David Matson from Kent Police, details of the next Hoo Clean Up (the next one being on Saturday 23 February), a fascinating article by Rolf Williams from the RSPB, a report from Hoo resident Holly Matthews about her trip to Zimbabwe and many other interesting items and local advertising.

Take a look at the Village Voices website by clicking here.
  

No Estuary Airport!

Over the last couple of months there has been growing speculation and debate about the possible building of an airport in our area. As most people will know, there are two main proposals. One being an island airport in the estuary and the other a scheme on the Isle of Grain.

The RSPB are highlighting the threats to our much cherished wildlife and have been recording the views of local residents - posting them on their website as part of an audio feature (podcast) on the issues surrounding these proposals. Click here to have a listen.

Rolf Williams from the RSPB

If you’re interested in reading more about the negative impact these devastating airport ideas would have on our local landscape and wildlife, or to get involved in the RSPB ‘No Estuary Airport’ campaign, their website is one of the best places to go. Just click here to find out more.

You might also like to take a look at ‘No Estuary Airport’ website run by the Friends of North Kent Marshes, just click here.

Medway Council’s ‘No Estuary Airport’ website can be visited by clicking here.
 

Walking in the footsteps of Charles Dickens!

I met up for a coffee and a chat earlier today with Rolf Williams from the RSPB.

He told me all about a special walk taking place at the RSPB Northward Hill nature reserve on Thursday 2 February - in celebration of Charles Dickens and his association with the peninsula.

In the week that we'll be celebrating Dickens’ 200th birthday, the RSPB is offering unique access to a part of the marsh at Northward Hill that is normally closed to the public.

The walk will be a 3 mile round trip, taking in the heart of the grazing marsh that was the inspiration for the opening scenes of ‘Great Expectations’.

There will be a chance to look at local wildlife habitats and some interesting buildings, and I know Rolf and his team will be able to give insights into the natural history of the area along the way.

Rolf has told me those taking part might be lucky enough to see marsh harrier, lapwing, buzzard (possibly the rare rough-legged buzzard) and Northward Hill’s iconic grey heron.

This walk seems a great opportunity to learn more about the story of the Thames marshes and the complex mix of nature and human intervention spanning thousands of years.

So it won't just provide information about the wildlife, as there will be recitals marking different periods of the area’s past, present . . . and future!

The walk will start at 10am at the main car park at Bromhey Farm. Too early? All for those who prefer their fresh air in the afternoon, the walk will be repeated at 1pm.

Please don’t forget to wear stout footwear, preferably wellies or walking boots. And wrap up warmly, as it can get very windy out on the marsh even if it seems generally mild.

So, what are you waiting for?

Sign up by contacting Rolf and the RSPB team by ringing 01634 222480 or send an email here.

Please note: The ticket price for this event will be £6 for adults and £5 for children. RSPB members receive the discounted rate of £2. Anyone who decide to join the RSPB on the day will receive a full refund.
 

A message from the RSPB

I've been sent a brief update from the RSPB about their activities locally, supplied by their representative Rolf Williams (pictured below).

'Beefing up our birds'

It is a testament to the reserve teams’ expertise and skillful water management that 2011 has been a good year for breeding birds on the marshes. The unusual weather patterns in 2011, with a spring drought followed by early summer deluges, may be a portent of things to come since this matches leading climate models of our future. The RSPB’s North Kent reserves feel like wild places at the mercy of the weather but half of them are working farms, coastal grazing marshes that we manage in the interests of nature. They produce hay (for horses), wool, lamb, and beef, but, in a complex relationship between water, vegetation, and grazing, the right habitat is also created for internationally important wintering and breeding birds.

Through the hard graft of reserve staff, volunteers and contract graziers, and despite the unseasonal weather, the birds have done all right this year. We managed to utilize what water we had in such a way that breeding bird figures are as good, if not better, than normal years for precipitation. Numbers of breeding lapwing at Shorne Marshes, Cliffe Pools and Elmley Marshes were excellent, totaling 132. Redshank traditionally fluctuate in their breeding numbers but 180 pairs at Elmley Marshes broke a six-year record. The herons at Northward Hill are showing recovery after two particularly harsh winters - 96 pairs, and 45 nightingales filled the air with their song on the Hoo Peninsula reserves. Now we look forward to the winter spectacle as thousands of birds fly in to the Thames, Medway, and Swale Estuary… and why not join them for a wild day out?

Rolf Williams
RSPB North Kent Marshes Nature Reserves

If you'd like to find out more about the RSPB, take a look at their Northward Hill website by clicking here - where you'll find links to other RSPB sites in North Kent, including Cliffe Pools. You can get in touch with Rolf by clicking here.

Thanks for the update Rolf!