News
Thistley Place Meadow Nature
Reserve – 2022 Update
Charitable Incorporated
Organisation
Registered Charity Number 1193032
As we move into 2022 we hope that the lockdowns
and restrictions of the last two years can be put behind us and we can
all start looking forward to leading more ‘normal’ lives.
With the great fundraising initiate of Captain
Sir Tom Moore touching the nation’s hearts DVCP were delighted when
Austin Cox and his team at AGC Fabrications approached us to see if they
could construct and erect a model of Sir Tom on Thistley Place.
This sculpture now stands proudly alongside the Remembrance
Memorial.
However, some mindless vandal(s) decided to graffiti
spray the memorial statue overnight on 29th/30th
December. Our Chairman
discovered what had been done the next morning and literally felt sick
that someone had carried out the graffiti which spelt out IRA and
immediately covered the statue with a black bin liner so no-one could
see the damage. The matter
was reported to Police (who are appealing for information as to who
carried out this childish act) and was widely reported in newspapers and
on the BBC news online. Austin Cox, from AGC Fabrications, who
originally donated the statue came to the rescue by restoring the
statute to its original pristine state and let the vandals know in no
uncertain terms that, no matter how many times they tried to deface the
memorial, AGC had the expertise and materials to ensure it would always
be restored!
Again, in 2021, we couldn’t hold any of our own
Fundraising events but, on the August Bank Holiday Saturday, we did host
a fundraising event for Poppy Goodall who suffers from a rare genetic
condition – Canavan syndrome – as her family are hoping to raise the
necessary funds to allow her to travel to American for life enhancing
gene therapy. It was a
fantastic day, and the weather was warm and sunny, with great community
support and the family raised £6,400 towards Poppy’s journey to America.
In September Good Life Pharmacy hosted a thank
you event on Thistley Place for all volunteers and vaccinators who
helped at the Covid-19 village injection hub at the Jubilee Hall.
Luckily the weather held out for them and they had a really good
evening for all those who gave up their time to help out and make sure
the vaccine programme was a success.
During 2021 we lost one of our Trustees.
Colette Morley was diagnosed with cancer and sadly passed away in
July. People will probably
remember ‘Charlie’ from the Duck Race and her smiling face encouraging
people to part with the money and buy a duck.
She was a hard-working committee member and her input has been
greatly missed. Many people
have lost loved ones during the pandemic – let’s hope 2022 is the year
when we can all start to look forward to a more normal life.
On visiting the Meadow, if you look amongst the
shrubberies you will come across the newly constructed Bug Hotel thanks
to the hard work of our Chairman, Anthony.
This has been firmly staked into the ground so, hopefully, floods
and high waters won’t dislodge it again!
There are also two new recycled picnic Benches in the ‘picnic
area’ which have been used regularly during another lockdown year.
However, the wood for the old, damaged benches didn’t go to
waste. The sections of
timber which were usable have been positioned either side of gate
leading down to Marston, where it becomes virtually impassable in wet
weather, thus allowing everyone access no matter what the Great British
weather throws at us!
During National bird box week a fantastic display
of boxes, feeding stations and habitats were placed in the shrubberies
and will be in situ for the annual event in 2022.
These were well used by the local bird population for nesting and
feeding and it was lovely to walk the Meadow and watch their antics.
We were also very lucky to receive and unexpected
Grant from Julie Patten from her Derbyshire County Council Community
Leadership Fund. The £575
she donated to us helped greatly and we purchased essential equipment
for maintenance on the Meadow.
The Celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II’s
Platinum Jubilee: We are working with Hatton Parish Council to hold this
major celebration on Thistley Place.
We will be holding a traditional fête
in the afternoon with a band, Punch and Judy, poetry recitals,
fairground rides, Tutbury Fire Brigade, Linjoy Wildlife Rescue and
amusements as well as many stalls including refreshments and a mobile
bar. This part of the event
will take place from around 1.00 p.m. until 4.30 p.m.
Then, in the evening, there will be a free event for all the
community. We have a band –
The Detroits – booked as well as a disco, a large slide and bouncy
castle. This will be themed
on Picnic and Music in the Meadow and we are hoping you will come and
join us. We are suggesting that everyone brings their own food and
drinks but there will be limited catering and the mobile bar on site
should you wish to purchase refreshments from these.
The money for all the attractions for both the afternoon and
evening events have been either donated or granted to DVCP.
Further details will be posted on Social Media and posters will
be issued to local shops and businesses – so please keep your eye out
for the latest details for the day.
The Peregrine Falcons came back to roost on the
Nestlé factory in 2021.
The female was seen to be in the eerie but then Nestlé reported
that, on their CCTV, it appeared that the female had actually died in
the eerie. Dave Budworth
(who rings the Peregrines) came and took the body away for analysis.
This was in May so, even though another female appeared alongside
the male, it meant that it was too late in the breeding season for them
to breed and successfully raise their young.
Luckily a male and female have been seen on their perch on the
factory at the beginning of 2022 so we are hoping that they will breed
successfully this year.
As we
were unable to run fundraising events the Bonus Ball again provided a
financial lifeline and has helped to pay for our expensive Public
Liability insurance and the extra petrol we have needed to carry out
additional mowing of the Meadow during lockdown - we were glad of this
financial boost as 2021 proved to be another year where people stayed at
home and used the Meadow on a daily basis.
If anyone else would like to take
part in the draw please get in touch.
On
Remembrance Sunday, a service was held alongside the memorial on the
Meadow with a short service and the laying of wreaths, to remember those
who were not only lost in wars but also those lost due to the Covid-19
pandemic. The Lest We Forget flag was flying and two replica ‘Tommies’
were positioned each side of the Memorial.
This will, hopefully, be an annual event on the Meadow.
Nestlé,
once again, generously donated the Christmas tree which sat proudly on
the flood bank adjacent to Marston Old Lane.
Quite a few people came to visit and it was really satisfying to
be able to provide a bit of light and joy at the end of another austere
year.
2022 has
begun very much as 2021 ended.
However, as well as the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations we are
hoping that restrictions will not be reintroduced and we will be able to
hold some community events on the Meadow.
When we are able to arrange events I will update this website and
we will put notices on Social Media. However, everyone can rest assured
that you, your family and friends are more than welcome to visit
Thistley Place. Your
children will love finding the bug hotel – so look out for Mr.
Caterpillar! You never know
you may see the Peregrines on the tower or the kingfisher and heron on
the island. Bring your
binoculars you don’t know what you may find!
Wishing everyone a safe, healthy and prosperous 2022.
Lynne Saul - Secretary to the DVCP.
Please keep updated by checking our Facebook page to see the latest news and events on the Meadow.!