Birdsong

With most of us spending considerably more time at home (and in the garden) many people are enjoying the sound of birdsong - all day long!

The Covid-19 lockdown has resulted in fewer vehicles on roads, almost deserted skies and a cleaner, more peaceful, environment. Birdsong seems amplified by the reduction in other noise.

Birdsong is really relaxing - the perfect tonic in these worrying times. 

It's disappointing when people complain that 'birds are too noisy' or feel they're a nuisance because they might poo on a garden fence! 

The Hoo Peninsula is best known for having a vibrant bird life. 

Along with the wider Thames Estuary, the Hoo Peninsula is a vital migration hub for hundreds of thousands of wintering wildfowl and wading birds, as well as providing a summer breeding ground for migratory birds.

From garden birds to nightingales at Lodge Hill and herons at High Halstow - our local landscape provides rich pickings and a safe haven for many species. They enjoy hedgerows and gardens, farmland, waterways, wetlands, salt marshes, mudflats and woodlands.

Keep tweeting birds - and make everyone feel a little bit better.

  

Enjoying the great outdoors!

With an improvement in the weather - it has been good to get out and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.

I visited the Isle of Grain yesterday for a stroll around a section of woodland in Grain Coastal Park.

Grain Coastal Park is a great place to visit with many different types of walk offered - walks to suit all preferences.

The nearest public toilet is in Lower Stoke (Grain Road).

Enjoy!
 

The Dutch Raid and more!

With the 350th anniversary of the 1667 Dutch Raid on the River Medway being commemorated in June, don’t miss monthly guided walks at Grain Coastal Park (and take a look at some of the damage caused to the village church by raiding Dutch seamen).

In the company of volunteer Michael Dale (a member of the Friends of Grain Coastal Park), pictured above, the walks offer the opportunity to get out and about in the fresh air and to learn more about our local history.

There's lots to explore at Grain Coastal Park - enjoy!

  

Seeing old Friends at Grain Coastal Park

I visited Grain Coastal Park last weekend and bumped into my old volunteering colleague Michael Dale.

Michael is now a leading-light in the park’s Friends group – a group of volunteers (mainly residents from the Isle of Grain) who spend many hours each week working hard looking after this increasingly popular and vast open space.

The Friends of Grain Coastal Park group has gone from strength to strength since it was created back in January 2012, following a successful community project undertaken by the Kent Wildlife Trust throughout 2011, in collaboration with St. James, Isle of Grain, Parish Council.  Those early project sessions were lots of fun and very interesting.

Michael and his volunteer colleagues have spent considerable time creating many great walks for visitors to enjoy.  In the noticeboard at the main car park (at the end of High Street, ME3 0BS) you will find a detailed map of the park showing all the walks.

If you’re looking to burn off some Christmas calories this weekend or during the festive period, or would simply like to get out of the house and enjoy fresh air and great views of the Essex coast and Isle of Sheppey – pop along to Grain Coastal Park.

  

A lovely cuppa at Grain Coastal Park

I popped over to the Isle of Grain earlier today to explore the ever improving Grain Coastal Park - located at the most easterly point of the Hoo Peninsula. It was a great surprise to find ‘The Beach Hut’, conveniently located opposite the main entrance to the beach car park.

The Beach Hut, with its comfortable outdoor seating area (sheltered from the wind), offers a variety of hot and cold drinks, cakes, ice cream, hot food, homemade filled baguettes, baps and sandwiches and much more.

Such a treat to have somewhere so close to Grain foreshore to enjoy a nice cuppa and something tasty to eat after enjoying a walk in the fresh air.

The Beach Hut is open every weekend and throughout the Easter holiday (see below).

Well done to proprietor Kerry Theobald and her mum Barbara, pictured above, who I met today. You’re doing a great job.

Keep up to date with The Beach Hut by viewing their Facebook page here.

Don’t forget - you can now go on a guided tour of Grain Coastal Park. Click here to find out more.

  

Guided tours of Grain Coastal Park

My old friend Michael Dale, who served as Police Officer on the Hoo Peninsula from 1966 to 1992, is very busy these days organising guided tours of our fabulous Grain Coastal Park.

Having been involved with the Friends of Grain Coastal Park in their formative period, it’s great to see that so many improvements have now been made to enhance and improve the foreshore and surrounding countryside.

The guided tours are an excellent way to learn more about the history of Grain and its fascinating military past.

Last year the guided tours attracted 165 people - well done Michael and to everyone else involved.

  

The Hoo Peninsula is open for business!

With half term approaching, I’d like to encourage you to visit the Hoo Peninsula - a fantastic landscape offering wilderness and heritage.

It stretches from Cliffe (or thereabouts) in the west to the Isle of Grain in the east. Our villages include Upnor, Cliffe and Cliffe Woods, Cooling, Hoo St. Werburgh, High Halstow, St. Mary Hoo, Stoke, Allhallows and the Isle of Grain.

We have a fabulous, and in my view unrivalled, network of dramatic walking routes, marshland, wildlife, heritage, farmland and vibrant communities. There are many local shops and businesses, including a super selection of pubs, cafes and restaurants and we are never short of fetes and community events.

We are very proud to be the home of RSPB Cliffe Pools Nature Reserve, Upnor Castle, RSPB Northwood Hill Nature Reserve, Grain Coastal Park, St. James’ Church at Cooling (made famous by Charles Dickens), Deangate Ridge Golf Club near Hoo, Medway Microlights at Stoke Airfield and Port Werburgh in Hoo (just some of our attractions).

If you’ve never been - please come and see us and enjoy the great outdoors right on your doorstep. You’ll have a great time!

Take a look at Medway Council’s website for more information about local activities, search the Hoo Peninsula on the internet or browse this site.

We are open for business and ready to welcome you!

  

Take a trip to Grain Coastal Park

If you’d like to experience our dramatic local landscape, you’re definitely spoilt for choice on the Hoo Peninsula.

The much improved Grain Coastal Park is a great place to begin and it’s perfect for appreciating some of the history and character of the Hoo Peninsula.

Enthusiastic volunteers have undertaken huge amounts of improvement work over the last couple of years, firstly as part of a Kent Wildlife Trust project and then in the form of the Friends of Grain Coastal Park volunteer group - set up specifically to promote and improve the park. The site is owned by the St. James Isle of Grain Parish Council.

I had a great time at Grain on Sunday afternoon, walking from one end of the park to the other, exploring many new and existing walks, paths and seating / viewing areas. The place is looking stunning and volunteers have done a remarkable job.

Take a look at the Friends of Grain Coastal Park website by clicking here. You’ll find details of organised walks planned for May, June and July - led by volunteer and local Parish Councillor Michael Dale.

Enjoy!

  

Our great outdoors is waiting for you!

I’m sure many of us don’t need an excuse to get out the house and enjoy our fantastic local landscape. I certainly don’t, as it’s long been one of my favourite pastimes.

But it’s really good to see that a North Kent Walking Festival has been organised, with walks and events taking place from Saturday 25 May to Sunday 2 June.

Even more exciting is the fact that seven of the events listed on the guide, shown below, are being held right here on the Hoo Peninsula - all of which look fabulous fun! They include Grain Coastal Park, RSPB Northward Hill, Allhallows-on-Sea, Great Chattenden Wood, St. James’ Church at Cooling, RSPB Cliffe Pools and Cliffe Marshes.

I hope to see you at some of the walks and events planned, let's just hope the weather stays nice.

Time to enjoy our great outdoors!

  

Pride in Medway, and pride in the Hoo Peninsula!

It’s really great to see two local groups nominated for Pride in Medway awards this year. And, both have been nominated within the ‘Green Champion’ category.

Well done to the Hoo Clean Up volunteers, who litter pick in Hoo every month, and to the Friends of Grain Coastal Park, who have carried out many environmental improvements at Grain Coastal Park.

I know both groups very well, and they deserve recognition for the excellent work they undertake on behalf of their communities.

The next Hoo Clean Up will take place on Saturday 23 February. If you’d like to get involved - they will meet at 9.30am in Hoo Village Square (the raised platform area). The Hoo Clean Ups are usually held on the last Saturday of each month. More information can be obtained by phoning the Clean Up Co-Ordinator Michael Pearce on 07919 693 095.

The Friends of Grain Coastal Park usually meet on the third Sunday of the month, at 10am, and they set out from St. James Pavilion, Pintail Close, Isle of Grain, ME3 0DW. To find out more about what they’re up to, get in touch by sending an email here.

  

Good luck to the Hoo Clean Up volunteers and the Friends of Grain Coastal Park - hopefully you'll get through to the final stage of the Pride in Medway awards!

  

Get your hands dirty at Grain Coastal Park!

The Friends of Grain Coastal Park meet every month at Grain foreshore, regardless of weather conditions, to improve facilities and the local environment of Grain Coastal Park.

The dedicated team of local volunteers have worked hard to formalise walking routes, establish seating areas and generally make the place look more attractive to visitors and local residents - and they have done a fantastic job!

I recently met up with Jacqie Valentine (below), from the Friends group, who was keen to promote the last opportunity of the year to lend a hand. The session will begin at 10am tomorrow (Sunday 18 November) - meeting at St. James Pavilion, Pintail Close, Isle of Grain, ME3 0DW.

I’ll add more information about their 2013 activity dates soon, but they normally meet on the third Sunday of each month. In the meantime - well done to all those involved with the Friends of Grain Costal Park group for being nominated for a Pride in Medway Award!
 

Volunteering at Grain Coastal Park (Sunday 15 April 2012)

The next volunteering activity day at Grain Coastal Park is this Sunday (15 April), from 10am.

Click the poster below to find out more.

Those who come along to lend a hand will spend time clearing and cutting back a wooded walk - adding to the growing number of walks now available within the park.

To find out more about the Friends of Grain Coastal Park, or to get involved with volunteering, come along on Sunday - you’ll be made very welcome.

Let's hope it doesn't rain!
  

March volunteering at Grain Coastal Park

The monthly activity days at Grain Coastal Park have been going well since they were re-launched in January. Litter picking has been a key part of activities so far this year, and there is a good explanation for this that doesn’t involve litter louts.

The Isle of Grain is surrounded by open water, where the Thames Estuary meets the Medway, and litter is constantly being washed ashore. 

The next volunteer activity day was supposed to be held this Sunday (18 March), but as it is Mothers Day a good number of the regular helpers will spending time with their families. And rightly so! So just this once we’re going to have to cancel.

Diary dates for future chances to help out with the ongoing improvements at Grain Coastal Park are 15 April and 20 May. All sessions begin at 10.30am from our new meeting point: St. James Pavilion, Pintail Close (off Green Lane).

But if you are keen to help out sooner than that, my colleague Michael Dale is happy to hear from you. Get in touch with Michael on the number below.

More details will be included in the soon to be launched newsletter of the new Friends group. Watch this space, as a copy will be posted on this website.

In the meantime, if you would like to find out more about how to get involved with the Friends of Grain Coastal Park - contact Michael Dale on 01634 270314 or drop him an email here.

  

February volunteering at Grain Coastal Park

The second Grain Coastal Park volunteer activity day of 2012 took place today. And once again we were blessed with a lovely sunny morning.

12 people turned out to lend a hand, and just like last month we were also joined by ‘Dave‘ - very much top dog of the new Friends of Grain Coastal Park group.

We did more litter picking this time, around the back of the park. There’ll be an even wider range of important tasks when we next meet, on Sunday 18 March.

Rather unexpectedly, our activities this morning might form part of academic research! Portsmouth University Student James Crump (pictured second from left), has been in the area doing research. When told what we were up to he decided to join in. Thanks for your help James!

Diary dates for further chances to ‘get your hands dirty’ at Grain Coastal Park are 18 March, 15 April, 20 May, 17 June. All sessions begin at 10.30am and, from next month, the meeting point will be at the St. James Pavilion, Pintail Close (off Green Lane).

More details will be included in the soon to be launched newsletter of the new Friends group. Due out in the next couple of weeks, the newsletter will also be posted on this website - so watch this space.

In the meantime, if you would like to find out more about how to get involved with the Friends of Grain Coastal Park - contact Michael on 01634 270314 or drop him an email here.
 

Thank you to our new friend!

As I mentioned last month, Peel Ports agreed to donate equipment to the Grain Coastal Park volunteer activity days.

Michael Dale, who is one of the people trying to set up a Friends of Grain Coastal Park group, and I took a trip to Sheerness Docks to collect the equipment last week - and to thank Peel Ports personally for their generous support.

Me, Pete Smedley (Peel Ports) and Michael Dale.

It’s good that Peel Ports are supporting the work of volunteers at Grain Coastal Park. They’ve donated safety goggles, litter pickers, safety helmets and high visibility vests - all much needed items for our monthly activities.

If you’d like to ‘get your hands dirty’ once a month, or if you’re keen to find out more about becoming a Friend of Grain Coastal Park, the next activity day will be on Sunday 19 February. You can find out more by clicking the image below, or by getting in touch with Michael on 01634 270314 or by email here.

If you run a local business and want to get involved please get in touch. We’re always on the lookout for equipment and tools!
 

A bit of snow can’t ruin the day!

So, the anticipated snow finally came and did its worst.

Thankfully the main roads on the Hoo Peninsula were relatively clear of snow, when I headed over to the Isle of Grain today with Rolf Williams from the RSPB. Rolf was keen to record local people talking about the prospect of an airport in the Thames Estuary, and the impact it would have.

Some recordings were taken outside, and the beach looked really stunning, with a thick covering of snow giving the place an eerie calm and peacefulness.

Rolf Williams from the RSPB

After a big dose of fresh air, we walked past St. James’ Church on our way to The Hogarth Inn. The pub today has this name because of a visit in 1732 by the artist William Hogarth. Over the years it has had a number of uses and names. It was originally called The Chequer Ale House. I’m not entirely sure whether he stayed the night at the pub, but he is said to have enjoyed a meal of ‘salt pork, bread, butter and buns and good malt liquor’. They obviously kept good records back in those days!

The pub was packed due to the screening of the Manchester United and Chelsea game. But I still got the chance to chat with people about the prospects of a Thames Estuary airport, local wildlife, family history and also the growing number of people volunteering at Grain Coastal Park. It was one of those afternoons where you just sit back and have a good chin-wag - pint in hand of course.

I promised to give a mention to Jennifer, Rene and Karen (pictured below).

Thanks for being such good sports!