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May 2024 May 2024
people in the Parish in a difficult situation. ponies. They are now extinct, but we use the Exmoor Ponies and Hereford cattle
as proxy for these species. Ponies typically nibble, while cows use their large
If you need this service please email in confidence popinplace@gmail.com and
we will help. Thank you to Gareth Lynam who is running this project for us. tongues to wrap around longer tussocks.
Our livestock can choose where they go in our extensive grazing regime, and do

not get treated with chemicals. This has fantastic benefits to the site. Where the
Pop In Place Work shop animals have spent most of their time, on the south side of the site known as
“Peewit” the impacts of their presence is wonderful. They have broken up the
We are a small group meeting on Friday mornings and do some wood work, vegetation, allowing for new species to grow through. The divots created by their
making bird boxes, bug hotels and planters etc we also do a lot of talking and hooves create microclimates for species to thrive.
drinking coffee. We have completed and refurbished the table tennis table and
that is available for people to play a game. But one of the most amazing
things about these animals is
If you are interested in coming along and doing any of the above or your own the faeces they produce. As a
small project, call in and see us you will be very welcome. result of the chemical-free poo,
we have seen a number of
Have you checked out our Pop In Place website popinplace.org?
dung beetles in action, and it’s
For more information call Alison Bennett 01929 472023 easy to spot their burrows. They
p u l l t h e d u n g d o w n
underground which changes
the structure of the soil. The
dung beetles are also a great source of food for mammals, small birds, and
reptiles.
THE BIG DORSET APPLE CAKE DAY As well as dung beetles, we

have been spotting oil beetles
on site too. Oil beetles have a
Milborne St Andrew Village are holding fascinating lifecycle, with the
a 'Big Dorset Apple Cake Day' to be held larvae feeding on the eggs of
on solitary bees! An adult bee will
Saturday 1st June 2024 between 10.00- unknowingly carry beetle
12.00 at the MSA Village Hall, DT11 0JX larvae on their backs,
depositing them in their nests.
The villagers will attempt to create the
biggest Dorset Apple Cake - 100 cakes will be baked and then assembled on We have also seen glow worms
Friday ready for the unveiling on Saturday morning when the cake will be formally on site, famous for the glowing
cut and sold in slices or as whole cakes at the Community Cafe. Come and join green light that the females
the extraordinary event and feast on Apple Cake on Dorset Day! (Don't forget to emit to attract a male. I’m
order your clotted cream!) looking forward to hopefully
spotting some of the glow worms glowing a little later in the year!
Decorations will be made by local school children.
If you would like to get in touch, then please email me: Daisy Meadowcroft
dmeadowcroft@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

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