3
With so many different interests involved we have had to listen to each other and ensure
that each is fully aware of the consequences of any proposed changes. The mutual
understanding that followed has given officials and others confidence to initiate further
conservation aims in their own sector, unasked.
When contracts were privatised recently and put in control of district controllers, the West
Essex area manager Derek Hurrell immediately engaged the keen support of the
Uttlesford Controller, Ken Tait, for continuation of the established management routines,
and also extended his efforts to the rest of the county.
A fanner, Peter Greenall, with only a narrow highway verge beyond his boundary hedge
realised it was not avalaible as part of a reserve because it had to be managed officially
for public safety. The hedge was a seed bank for Crested Cow Wheat, so he created a
"verge" inside the hedge, and then went on to restore a number of sites away from the
highway, and to help other farmers interested in the species.
The Verge Representatives have established access to those working in the countryside as
follows:-
• to the private sector and land management advice via five N.F.U. secretaries and
farmers;
• to the public sector and public priorities via Beverely McClean of the planning
• department and the county and local councils;
to scientific ecological resources via the museums.
It is encouraging to find that the new Saffron Walden Natural History Museum Curator,
Sarah Kenyon, has been appointed Uttlesford Verge Representative as part of her duties.
Nevertheless, it must be remembered that within each of the three sectors above: private,
public, and scientific, the highway flora is still of low, if not of lowest priority. However
by keeping commitments to the minimum and communications precise and streamlined,
such co-operation could become habitual and long term. The role of the verges as a key
to long term corporate conservation appears to be at least as important as providing a
habitat for Crested Cow Wheat and Sulphur Clover.
Joan Mummery
Request for notes and illustrations for the Newsletter - Editor
I would like to be able to include more illustrations in the Newsletter and would welcome
contributions from members relevant to our wildlife or geology, on their own or together
with articles.
There is always a shortage of notes for the Newsletter, yet many members must be able to
put pen to paper and contribute something of interest to other people. The recent decline
of the House Sparrow is an example where members' own observations can provide
valuable information to help build up a better picture of what is happening in Essex .
Many other plants and animals havesuffered severe declines in the past decades and
species formerly thought of as common are now rare. On the other hand some other
species are increasing and this may be related to Global Warming. We need to track the
changes happening now for posterity. All members can help do this by sending in notes,
however short, on their own observations.
Essex Field Club Newsletter No. 25, May 1998