Working to protect and enhance the Lickey Hills and their environs
Himalayan Balsam - Your Country Park Needs You
3rd Jun 2016
The pink flowers of the Himalayan Balsam may look pretty but this non-native invasive plant grows and spreads rapidly as it can project its seeds up to 4 metres. The plant quickly alters the ecological balance of the area it occupies.
The plant needs removing before it sets seed and its eradication is possible. Large parts of the Community Orchard were covered but after several years of clearing, it is now free of the plant. However, there are many areas of the Country Park where the plant presents an on-going problem.
Himalayan balsam is shallow rooting and is easy to remove.
The LHS is organising two clearance sessions and it would be great if you could help out on one or both occasions. There is normally a relatively small group helping the Rangers with this task and so any support that you can give is greatly appreciated.
The sessions will finish at about midday. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear. No special equipment is required. We look forward to seeing you on Saturdays 18 June and 2 July.
Meet at 10.00am at the Visitor Centre in Warren Lane
Lickey Hills Great War Project
3rd Jun 2016
The Lickey Hills Society, the Lickey Hills Local History Society and the Rangers Team have begun a project to record and research buildings in the Country Park that date from the Great War. The buildings form an unusual and possibly unique surviving collection. The aim is to record the buildings, find out more about how they were used and by whom.
A variety of archive collections will be investigated to find out more about the type of work undertaken on the site and also the military units that were involved.
Those working on the project have met with representatives of the Worcestershire Archive & Archaeology Service who are supporting the initiative. The group plan to create a bid for Heritage Lottery Funding to support their future work.
As part of the research we would love to hear from anyone who has any information on the activities undertaken on the site during WW1. Can you please share with us any memories or stories that have been passed down and if you have any photographs or other physical evidence that we could look at please get in touch (see the contact page)
Meeting With Mytime General Manager Daniel Peck
5th May 2016
Mytime Active is the organisation responsible for running seven golf courses within Birmingham including the Lickey Hills Golf Course. Members of the LHS committee met with Daniel at the beginning of May to discuss areas of common interest including drainage on parts of the golf course and the maintenance of trees and paths. It was a very positive meeting which we hope will be the first of many. Since the meeting, we have learned that Mytime will likely be taking responsibility for the tennis courts and the bowling green on the Lickeys which is very good news indeed. Work funded by the City has taken place on the tennis courts to improve their condition and to make them ‘fit for purpose’.
© 2015 The Lickey Hills Society