Tuesday 10 June 2008

newspapers,sponges and sparrows

Thank-you to the Evening Post for running a story about the field in tonight's paper. The council are sticking to their assertion that the hedge was planted in modern times - unbelievable! There are local people in their eighties who were born in houses that overlook the hedge. Hopefuly the article will prompt interest from anyone who has used the field in the past.

The council say that housing plans only take in part of the field - and then what? Stop?
A few years ago the council did a survey which said that the field should not be built on because of access problems and because a dangerous precedent would be set in relation to building on green spaces. This shows that there are sensible people at county hall.
Last year Derwen Fawr residents were successful in having plans for houses at Bishop's Grove rejected - lets hope Townhill gets the same result.

Last week it poured down. When you walk on the grass after it has rained, you can hear the water bubbling underfoot. Almost like walking on a sponge. How much ground water does the field absorb? The runoff from the old car park area causes a river down Pentyla Road - imagine how it would be if they built here! There was a programme last night about flooding - it mentioned that surface water flooding is caused by building on green areas that otherwise act like a natural sponge. Perhaps it is the old peaty subsoil from the ancient bracken that makes the field good at holding rainwater.

The sparrows are going crazy at the moment because of a lot of magpies in the area - they must be protecting their nests - I saw one harassing two magpies on its own - and winning.

Perhaps us resident sparrows should adopt this approach to the magpies of the estates' department...

The blackbirds are back and forth feeding their young - you can hear them almost screeching for food. The adults are careful that no magpies are around when they go to the nest - they perch in the crab apple until they are sure they are not being watched before diving into the hedge.

Please feel free to post any comments or thoughts you may have about this blog - thanks!