HWJRA meeting 23 January 2017

Just a reminder that a meeting of High West Jesmond Residents’ Aassociation (HWJRA) takes place tomorrow evening, Tuesday 23 January 2017 at 19:00 in the Ouseburn Room at Trinity Church on Gosforth High Street – we hope to see you there.

Moorfield trees mysteriously chopped down

Trees on allotments felled

Three beautiful trees that have stood alongside the fence next to Moorfield just inside the allotments were mysteriosly felled yesterday.

The trees have stood there for decades and there was no consultation with local residents and other members of the High West Jesmond community who have appreciated the trees.

“Tidying up”

Local residents have noted that there is no justifyable reason for their removal and have been told by the council’s Allotments Officer that he “was tidying up the allotments“.

Look at theses photographs before and after and judge for yourself.

Please protest and make your voice heard and join us in making sure no more vandalism like this takes place in our community.

HWJRA meeting on 24 January 2017

Meeting for Residents of High West Jesmond

There will be a meeting to update on the proposed changes to Blue House Roundabout and Jesmond Dene Road, and the proposed introduction of Communal Bins.

The meeting of High West Jesmond Residents’ Association will be held on

Tuesday 24 January 2017 at 19:00
at Ouseburn Room, Trinity Church, Gosforth High Street

The meeting will hear from our Chairman, Nick Moore who has attended 6 meetings of the steering group for the development of Blue House Roundabout and Jesmond Dene Road junctions.

The steering group has not yet reached its final conclusion but this will be an opportunity for residents to be updated on work and to contribute thoughts about the proposals to date.

Also, following the recent news that the Council is proposing to introduce Communal Bins to our area we have invited our local Councillor Dominic Raymont to the meeting who will be able to share the latest news and listen to resident’s views on this issue.

We hope as many residents as possible will attend this meeting so that we can get a clear picture of the views of residents on both issues.
We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.

Fiona Bruce
HWJRA Secretary

2016 FOVALD Annual Report

Friends of the Valley and Little Dene Annual Report

2016 Committee Annual Report

Compared to 2015, which we celebrated as the centenary of the first use of the Valley by residents of High West Jesmond, we decided that 2016 should be a quieter year.

Council rejects our application for Village Green status

Our only event in the summer attracted more rain clouds than customers and in October we received an official letter from Newcastle City Council (who itself was the only objector against our application) informing us that following review by Newcastle City Council our application for Village Green status had been rejected – 2 years and 4 months after it was submitted!

Despite all the hard work of the High West Jesmond community we decided not to appeal.

The Landscape

Despite this, the Valley bloomed as usual.

Snowdrops – looking towards Lodore Road, High West Jesmond

Loads of snowdrops (2017 versions out now!), followed by all the daffodils in the spring and the wildflowers later in the summer.

The “field maples” continue to grow and extend the colour show every autumn; no obvious signs of “ash die-back” have been spotted; fruit trees, and a couple of “lime tree whips”, have been introduced along the northern edge (thanks to Frank S and Jon R).

In the Little Dene, the holly & hawthorn understory is growing very slowly but the fallen ash trees help to provide a protective environment for insects and small mammals.

In the summer months the Dene is almost impenetrable for us humans!

Wildlife

Our 4th bird survey was carried out on 9 May 2016 – and proved to be the most productive. 

A total of 22 separate species were recorded, including goldfinch, goldcrest, dunnock, blackcap, chiffchaff, coal tit, great tit and blue tit to name but a few!

The report suggested ways to further improve the Little Dene and the Valley surrounds for the bird population. Minimising disturbance is always beneficial.

Several bird boxes have been placed on trees on the edge of the Little Dene and there are 1/2 bird feeders  close to the Valley (thanks to Paul W for making them and Frank S for placing them!).  

Apart from finding a dead male fox inside a hollow tree trunk early in 2016, we had no reports of foxes having been seen on the Valley or in the Dene.

However, grey squirrels remain present, no doubt attracted by the abundance of hazel nuts! The other sad note to report was the finding of a deceased  hedgehog in the middle of the Valley. Let’s hope that some are still surviving in the Valley surrounds and gardens.

Works on the Valley

The “hollow” in the centre of the Valley showed signs of further deepening last summer. After fencing it off for a couple of months, the Council deemed it safe and filled it with topsoil – so, it’s a “hollow” no more!

Maintenance work on the culvert underneath the Valley also meant that a chunk of the Valley next to Newlands Road was used as a site compound  for several weeks in October. The work was successfully completed.  

Use of the Valley

The only event that was promoted, the Hog Roast, was sadly a wash-out. However, those that did attend received good value for money –“ plenty of pork in the butty”!

A big thank you to the usual band of helpers, plus the individuals and organisations that supplied equipment.

The Valley appears to be attracting more dog walkers – either because more people have dogs or because it’s just a popular venue for dog walking or perhaps both! In terms of community connections that’s probably a good thing, but, on the other hand, dogs and wildlife are not the best partners.

The honesty plants (lunnaria annua) that emerged after the daffodils along Newlands Road. A sprinkling from Mother Nature or a resident’s packet of seeds?

The Valley remains reasonably well used by students, young people and children during the warmer months. It would probably be helpful to quantify usage by carrying out a usage survey in 2017.  

The Valley remains a much used and valued community open green space that we all agree must remain available for use of the community.

Committee of Friends of the Valley and Little Dene
December 2016

New Chairman for HWJRA

Residents committee strengthened

Congratulations to Nick Moore who was elected the new Chairman of High West Jesmond Residents’ Association (HWJRA) at the AGM last Wednesday.

I am filling the Secretarial and Treasurer roles and Jeffrey Fox is our newly appointed Communications Officer. I am also pleased to report that a further 4 committee members were elected on the night.

Membership is also strengthening following the various leaflet drops around the area.

Bob Curry is stepping down from the committee after many years as both Chairman and committee member and we thank him for his valued contribution.

Fiona Bruce
Secretary

Facebook group set up

High West Jesmond Residents’ Association on Facebook

Today we welcome you to our new HWJRA Facebook page.

HWJ is currently under threat from development plans announced by the council for Blue House Roundabout and Jesmond Dene Road.

The public show of “NO” at the march for the moor on Sunday was overwhelming and thanks to residents for turning up.

The public consultation is shortly closing and this is when we need to keep the pressure on.

Please recommend this Facebook group to friends and neighbours living in the High West Jesmond area so that we can keep in easy contact.

We will still leaflet the area but our voice can be heard and shared much quicker by using social media.

Our social media links

Join us on Facebook: HWJRA

Follow us on Twitter: @highwestjesmond

Follow us on Instagram: @highwestjesmond