News

Habitat Heroes

4^th Sep 2024

The Habitat Heroes volunteers who have worked on the Lickeys for 14 years are no longer supported by the Rangers and so their activities are severely restricted to light habitat maintenance. They can no longer use power tools and so no infrastructure work (path maintenance, steps, bridges, fencing, benches, drainage projects) can take place.

The Heroes are keen to continue working and the Society is providing as much support as possible to try and ensure this happens. The LHS has provided first aid kits, an Accident Book (which we hope is never needed), risk assessment documents and insurance cover. Certain documentation is still to be finalised and members of the group will need to undergo first aid training which the LHS has agreed to fund. Hopefully this support will enable to group to continue their invaluable work in the Country Park.

The final session of the Habitat Heroes working with a Park Ranger took place on May 28th 2024. Ranger Penny Marriott and the group dug and cleared ditches to improve drainage close to the entrance to the Country Park in Cherry Hill Lane.

Photo of the last session provided by Ranger Penny Marriott

Birmingham Parks Ranger Service 1984 – 2024 and Current Reorganisation

3^rd Sep 2024

Birmingham’s parks were in crisis in 1977 when their budget was slashed. No work was done in parks for a year - not even litter picking or mowing. This led to a public outcry and a threat of court action before change happened. The growing problem of vandalism in the City’s parks, culminated in the hacking down of 14 trees planted for autumn colour in Pype Hayes Park. So in August 1984 a new Ranger Service, consisting of 20 rangers was set up.

Two rangers began work in the Country Park alongside the Lickey Hills foresters.
The next few years saw big changes. Activities with the public became more important, working with schools, disadvantaged groups, with artists, writers and crafts people, with naturalists and historians and with the NHS. Nature conservation was prioritised and a new management plan drawn up.

As previously reported, due to Birmingham’s financial situation cuts have now taken place to the city’s Ranger Service. The resultant re-organisation will mean that the level of support given by the Rangers to groups like the LHS and volunteers across the city will be greatly reduced.

Closure of the Visitor Centre Café

30^th Jun 2024

The café at the Visitor Centre in Warren Lane will be closing on Sunday 30th June. The café owners have decided to move on and they will certainly be missed – we thank them and wish them well in their future endeavours. There are parties interested in taking over the café but a tendering process will have to be undertaken. This will no doubt take time.
The toilets and information point at the Centre will still be available but visitors will need to provide their own refreshments for the time being.