Before I talk about Marlborough Lane wildlife corridor in particular let’s first define what a wildlife corridor is – and what it does.
Well, the Woodlands UK website tells us that the term refers to any linear feature in a landscape that wildlife can use to migrate or disperse.
Put another way, a wildlife corridor is a strip of natural habitat connecting populations of wildlife otherwise separated by cultivated land, roads, etc.
Download a PDF all about The Great Copse from the Wildlife Sites Project for Wiltshire and Swindon
Such a thing is a link of wildlife habitat – as a rule native vegetation. It joins two or more larger areas of similar wildlife habitat. These corridors are critical for the maintenance of ecological processes – including allowing animals to move from one place to another. And to allow viable populations to continue.
Wildlife corridors are critical for the maintenance of ecological processes, including allowing for the movement of animals and the continuation of viable populations. And Swindon has the great, good fortune to be particularly blessed in all things nature and wildlife. I’m thinking not only of wildlife corridors such as this but of the wildlife lagoons over to the west, Hagbourne Copse and many, many more green spaces besides. All of them important for biodiversity. Indeed a chap from Wiltshire Wildlife once commented to me how underestimated Swindon is – in general but in particular for its astonishing amount of green spaces and wildlife habitat.
About Marlborough Lane wildlife corridor
Though not too welll-known, Marlborough Lane comprises one of Swindon’s longest-standing natural wildlife corridors. It stretches from the Great Copse, along Marlborough Lane to willow trees on the embankment. Over 200 mature trees along its length provide an essential foraging route for bats, birds and bees.
The corridor also forms a vital barrier between the large car park belonging to the Marriott Hotel and all who either live on the lane or travel along it to the Croft sports centre, school and playgroup.
The tree line lies on the Marriott’s land. But it’s the residents of the lane that have planted the long laurel hedge along the mid-section and the shrubs and flowering plants on the end of the lane.
The Embankment
The embankment once had a life as the old railway line. A few years ago an initiative started by residents Adrian and Andrea Downing led to the planting of sixty trees with Cllrs, residents and the Croft School’s first intake of pupils.
The embankment is bedecked too with a host of daffodils sufficient to inspire Wordsworth himself. Or his sister, Dorothea. But I digress. Swindon Borough Council gave the bulbs towards an early spring clean by Old Town Residents Association (OTRA). Many got involved in planting them including the Scouts. OTRA created the flower bed on the embankment and maintain it to this day.
Background/context
One of the movers and shakers behind this particular wildlife corridor is Marlborough Lane resident, Carole Bent. Her motivation for highlighting the importance of this particular tree line began around ten years ago.
Said Carole: ‘like many, I’ve had a lifelong love of nature. It inspired my first small (in physical size) book Wisdom of the Catfish in which I mention learnings from our natural world – including those close to home. Earlier this year the British Naturalist Society asked me to write an article highlighting the Great Copse and the wildlife corridor.’
NB – see the link above for a downloadable PDF about the Great Copse.
At the start of Covid-19 we saw a dramatic reduction in traffic and an increase in people’s appreciation of nature and their environment in general. And that made me think how great it would be to use this period to help people take a fresh look at the natural environment. Both close to their home and on their way to the Croft.’
A chat with Croft School
‘A conversation with Elaine Murphy, head of Croft School, and her husband reinforced my thoughts about seeing the area as a mini nature reserve and a place worth looking after. ‘
Thus Carole approached Swindon artist Marilyn Trew (someone slowly mapping Swindon) to create an artwork. Said Carole: ‘I love the way that her work engages people with nature & felt that a visual interpretation would be positive – including for the young children who go to the school, playgroup & all ages at the sports centre. I knew this would be something uplifting for them to see when they returned to school in September.
‘A group of neighbours met in our garden & we shared our knowledge of the wildlife and plants with her. Marilyn has kindly gifted this to our community, including access to a black and white version for children of all ages to colour in! Marilyn & I intend to visit the school at a time to suit the head teacher.
We hope to have full sizes signs also made & will follow this up with Parish & SBC Councillors. The effect of nature on our wellbeing is well-recorded and seems more important now than ever.’
If you’d like to download the black and white version of Marilyn’s map to colour in yourself there’s a link below.
Marilyn has long held an interest in all aspects of nature. She now manages 3 art groups in Swindon and exhibits her work around Swindon and its environs. Currently Marilyn is concentrating her efforts on nature and heritage charities.
Well listeners – here I am again with yet another new-to-me cafe. This time Cafe Nexus Cheney Manor.
Yep, tucked away at the back of a business block on the Cheney Manor industrial estate. Who knew? Well a lot of people it seems as I think it’s been there for a good old while. Anyway – earlier this week I visited it for first time for breakfast with some chums of mine.
‘If you’re looking for an affordable breakfast or lunch that doesn’t compromise on quality, then visit us at Café Nexus.
Situated overlooking a riverside, Café Nexus is the idyllic setting to enjoy freshly-made food in comfortable surroundings.
Create your perfect breakfast or lunch from our deli bar, or order from the kitchen one of our carefully designed dishes or specials.
And for those in a hurry, why not simply pre-order your meal for collection? Serving the finest illy Coffee, Tea and nutritious food, make Café Nexus your weekday eatery. Hot food served until 14:30 Monday to Friday Deli bar until 17:00 Monday to Thursday 15:00 Friday.’
NB: COVID SERVICE – REDUCED HOURS:
Monday to Friday: hot food served until 14:00 Deli food served until 14:15
The office building behind which you’ll find Cafe NexusCheney Manor.
A surprising setting
What makes this cafe so charming, aside from the tasty food and super friendly service, is the cafe’s setting. Because what you’d never know from the view you see above is that it enjoys a delightful river view. Isn’t that fabulous?
In the current Covid climate they’ve created an environment that feels safe and comfortable – so it’s definitely worth a visit. But you do have to book of course.
There’s ample free parking in front of the building so another good reason to give it a try.
The review below is from Gary Hazell, one of the party with whom I went to the cafe.
I opted for the small English breakfast and a regular black coffee – and jolly nice it was too. It kept me full for hours.
The small English breakfast at Cafe Nexus Cheney Manor
Among the doom and gloom of Covid and Brexit and town centre shop closures there’s some good local news in the restoration of The Watchers.
The Watchers form part of the West Swindon sculpture walk. These sculptures are a culturally significant part of the West Swindon landscape, installed in the late 1970s/early 1980s. Roger Ogle has done much to champion them – then much later than him – so have I. I’ve featuredThe Watchers and the rest of the trail on this blog and in my new guide book.
Despite the fact that they’ve been shamefully neglected by our town’s leaders for decades now, they remain things of enjoyment and an untapped resource I’m sure. If the powers that be did but know it.
Anyhoo! Last year the chap on this sculpture sadly suffered decapitation. But rejoice! For, thanks to Swindon stonemason Toby Robson,The Watchers are Restored. But more on that in a bit!
The Watchers at Toothill – prior to restoration
‘Artist: Carleton Attwood. Material: Cement Fondue. Project details: Funded by R.S. McColl and E.H.Bradley Building Projects Ltd. The sculpture represents guardian figures looking over the community.’
‘The Watchers, 1982, by Carleton Attwood (1908 to 1985) at Toothill Village Centre. The first sculpture in West Swindon, cast in ferro-concrete at Swindon’s town hall studios, is one of Carleton’s last works. Sculptor Pat Elmore had to complete the piece as Carleton suffered ill-health. Thanks to Carleton’s ill-health.
The work represents the guardians of the new community.’
The story goes that Carleton got the idea for this piece of public art from a family he observed at a Swindon town football match.
The day was a rainy one and the father was holding his raincoat around his wife. She in turn shielded their child with their raincoat and the child the dog.
The restoration of The Watchers
Now back to the resoration. There’s a nice piece here inThe Swindon Advertiser about the restoration. Said Toby: ‘… it’s a big challenge because the sculpture is more than 40 years old. And nobody knows what materials went into it originally in terms of sand and the cement mix used. Nobody remembers.
I chatted to Toby just yesterday and he told me that the community had been so supportive and interested in what he was doing and how heart-warming he’d found that.
Photo from Toby Robson.
Some photos from Toby of the work in progress:
And now the finished product. Ta da!The Watchers are Restored!
On 10th October 2010 parish councillor, Suresh Gattapur is doing a walk for BMX park Swindon. He intends to walk 26.1 miles around Swindon. It’s his aim to raise awareness and achieve funding for local youth engagement. That’s quite a walk –he could do it with my guide book in his back pocket! 😉 Suresh does have a copy.
Suresh hopes to raise £5,000 out of an estimated budget of £70,000 to £90,000 to build a BMX track in Westlea, in Swindon. It’s Suresh’s belief that championing youth projects is a transformative approach that can encourage urban youth engagement in local communities.
Says Suresh: Parks and public spaces are often built with small children and adults in mind. There’s often an emphasis on playgrounds for the children and benches for the adults watching them.
On the other hand, some public spaces are simply devoid of activity or amenities. This is fine for picnicking or maybe playing ball but offers little else for young people. And they use public spaces as much as anyone else. If not more.
Exclusion of young people from place making
And yet, too often young people, or young adults between the ages of 13 to 21, are not included in the process of place making. But, with active engagement in youth-friendly spaces, young people can feel like they have investment in their community. And from that they can develop a strong sense of ownership in these places.
I believe identifying the interests of local young people, or issues in the community around young people is a key part of building a relationship with them. I have myself conducted extensive research on youth engagement and their interests. I’ve identified the demand and need for a solid BMX track and how it would be a significant contributing factor to positive youth engagement.
In a world of virtual gaming platforms, bike parks are fun, challenging, and healthy places for young people to get their exercise in. As bike parks get built and maintained then riders frequent the parks on a regular basis.
Compared to more traditional parks and playgrounds, bike parks offer an incredible value vs the budget spent on them.
Well built facilities also have the potential to become tourist draws. Attracting events leads to benefits to the local economy. People spend money locally on amenities, food, repairs and new equipment.
It’s one thing to build a bike park. But a bike park helps build something larger for a community. It helps build healthy, happy, outdoor lifestyle choices.
Freshbrook gets performing arts class – so children in West Swindon who love singing, dancing and acting can try out a new class which starts in Freshbrook on Wednesday September 30.
One of the town’s leading performing arts groups, Revolution Performing Arts, is offering Covid-safe, socially distanced small group classes at Freshbrook Community Centre. The classes are every week, on Wednesday, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.
Founder Fi Da Silva Adams said: “We’re starting the Freshbrook All Stars at the community centre for children aged between four and 11 years old.
“Our classes are a safe space for children to express themselves. We have an ethos of empowering children who can sing their favourite music, create their own dramatic scene, share their own dance moves and feel safe and secure in doing so. If they don’t want to perform they don’t have to. We want to create a fantastic, relaxing and fun experience for them.”
Jade Carroll
RPA leader Jade Carroll will run the Freshbrook group. She has thirteen years’ experience of dance and has worked with RPA for two years.
Jade said: “I’m excited to be starting this new class and look forward to meeting the children and their parents. We do ask that everyone books in advance though. That’s so we can ensure safe social distancing measures. That said everyone’s first session is free of charge!”
Jade Carroll – photograph taken by Laura Barnes
Fiona Di Silva Adams founded Revolution Performing Arts in 2007. Her team have run online sessions throughout lockdown.
They’re now getting back to some in-person classes across Swindon. The organisation received a grant from Arts Council England through the Covid19 Emergency Fund. This allowed them to continue supporting children in Swindon.
Revolution Performing Arts runs sessions in after school clubs and also open classes in other community venues. All their teachers are DBS checked, trained in first aid and receive full training in safeguarding protocols.
RPA specialises in empowering young people to celebrate their individuality through the power of performing arts. To enrol for the new Freshbrook class visit www.revolutionpa.co.uk/enrol
