Working to protect and enhance the Lickey Hills and their environs
Late evening on Tuesday 4th April, one of the picnic benches provided by the Society at the Visitor Centre was destroyed by fire. Despite signs warning people against using disposable BBQ’s in the Country Park, four were lit on the table. When the Rangers arrived the following morning, they found a pile of ash, four metal grills and badly damaged tarmac which was still hot. The Rangers were distressed by what greeted them and they were left to clear up the mess.
The massive fire on Rednal Hill last summer was investigated by West Mercia Fire and Rescue Service and they concluded that the fire was started by a disposable BBQ. There are many fires in the Country Park each year with many being caused by these barbeques. When will people learn?
Following the bench fire, the Society was contacted by a reporter from Free Radio and Society Secretary, Baden Carlson was interviewed. Baden spoke about the picnic bench fire and the fire on Rednal Hill and suggested that action was needed to educate users of portable BBQ’s which cause so many problems nationwide. If this failed, would a national ban be needed? The possibility of installing CCTV was also discussed. Baden was told that the interview would be broadcast on BBC Radio Shropshire but it is hoped that it will be shared with other BBC local radio stations.
On Saturday 8 April, Councillor Majid Mahmood, Birmingham’s Cabinet Member for the Environment was interviewed on BBC Midlands Today. Councillor Mahmood said he would write to Chris Philp MP, Minister for Police, Crime and Fire calling for an immediate ban on the sale of disposable barbecues, and seeking fixed penalties and large fines for people caught using disposable barbecues in our parks and open spaces. This would certainly be a step in the right direction and would be supported by the Society.
Photo: Baden Carlson
A new orchard has been created above the car park near the Old Rose and Crown. Eighteen fruit trees have been planted including several unusual varieties. The purchase of the trees has been funded by the Lickey Rotary Club and the Lickey Hills Society.
A ditch and bank has been built to establish the site of the orchard and the Society has agreed to fund the purchase of wild flower seeds to create a small ‘wild flower meadow’. There will also be a number of soft fruits planted. Juneberries (Saskatoons) have already been planted.
Photo - Members of the Tuesday volunteer group, ‘The Habitat Heroes’ who planted the trees in the new orchard.
Two new trees have been added to the Community Orchard near the Visitor Centre to mark the upcoming Coronation of King Charles III: A King Charles Pearmain and a May Queen were funded by the Society and were planted on 5th April. The Photo shows the team of LHS planters with Ranger Penny
Photo: Keith Woolford
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