Page 36 - br-november-2019

November 2019 November 2019
BERE REGIS SCOUT GROUP
Explorer News
The autumn term is now
in full swing and the
Explorers have already had several activity
nights. One of their favourite evenings to plan
and run is always one involving ‘creative
cooking’. Lots of mystery tins (all the labels were
taken off) were handed out to eager teams of
Scout chefs to create an edible meal judged on
teamwork, taste, imagination and cleanliness!
Making the most
of the weather
before if gets too
w i n t r y , t h e
Explorers, along
w i t h s o m e
Network Scouts, had an evening at Buddens
learning how to zip wire and climb on a new
structure that has recently been installed at the
centre. The group enjoyed a beautiful sunset
and tried out these new and enjoyable
challenges.
DofE News
On Wednesday 2nd
October, Josh Lightfoot and Cameron Fletcher (both
ex Kingsbere Explorers) made their way to London,
with their perspective parents Julien and Mo, to
receive their Gold Duke of Edinburgh awards. The
ceremony took place at St James’s Palace where
they all met Prince Edward and were presented their
certificates by Jo Doherty, the first scout to ski to the
South Pole and kite ski back. A great achievement!
Well done to both of you!
An update on the 24th World Scout Jamboree 2019
– as experienced and written by one of our Explorers, Aidan Findler who
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Bere Stream
We mentioned last month how fortunate we are to have a healthy population of
brown trout in the Bere Stream. There have also been recent sightings of a water
vole and, of course, the Little Egret is often seen locally – it would only be there if
there was a plentiful food source for it. All this points to the relatively good
condition our stream is in.
We have had the good
condition of the stream
confirmed at a recent inspection
of the area by the Rivers Officer
from Dorset Wildlife Trust. He was
able to give us some good
pointers as to what is working
well and what we might do to
help improve the stream’s health
and wildlife value further. He said
there was generally a
reasonable balance of open
water and area with water
weed. The water weed is very
important habitat and should be left untouched as the current levels are looking
really good – these areas will be home to invertebrates and sheltering fish etc
(especially smaller fish and young fish, known as ‘fry’). The water weed also helps
to push the water around, creates meanders and varies flow rates, see photo. This
is really good news as the Wildlife Group volunteers put in a number of gravel
berms or banks a few years ago and these have worked really well in helping to
form the faster flowing meanders along with areas of still water.
There is still work to do to help improve the stream environment. There are some
bare areas of bank which we hope to re-seed and silt traps that need to be
cleared out. These actions should help to reduce sediment run off into the stream.
To allow more light to reach the stream there are opportunities to coppice some
trees and shrubbery and cut back low overhanging branches. Any coppiced
stools will be allowed to regrow with some branches being laid into the stream to
create further meanders with areas of still water and contrasting narrower faster
flowing zones. These will be some of the tasks the working parties will be
undertaking in the coming months.
Join Us on our Conservation Working Parties
Our first full Conservation Working Party of the Autumn season will be held on the
morning of Saturday 2nd November. We will meet at the bridge near to the Scout
Hut, Elder Road at 10am. We normally finish about 12.30.
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