At FotS’ latest litter pick yesterday [Thursday 26th Feb] along the Hollyoak Wood section of the Shuttle and the adjoining Wyncham stream, volunteers worked stoically in pouring rain to extract 16 bags of rubbish, two safes and assorted bits of metal. We also reported a serious fly tipping incident along the Wyncham.
FotS volunteers seek temporary shelter from the rain under some overhanging shrubbery. Yikes! Cut it back at once!
Some of the rubbish removed from the Wyncham Stream and River Shuttle by FotS volunteers
Sadly, this stretch of the Shuttle bears the scars of the Council’s latest bout of ‘extreme maintenance’, with the far bank almost completely stripped of mature trees and vegetation, just before the nesting season. As Joni Mitchell said (or rather sang) ‘You don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone’!
Mandy Stevens, Friends of the Shuttle.
There was a lovely area of brambles and thicket just inside the Willersley ave entrance to Willersley park. It was on the river bank on the opposite side to the footpath, at the rear of the houses so there was no problems with likely footpath encroachment . It was a haven for wildlife, birds insects, butterflies and foxes. This thicket was raised to the ground at the same time as the devastation in Hollyoak Woods. Presumably to stop encroachment into the adjoining gardens. This week however shrubs have been planted all along the garden fences and a wire fence erected to protect the shrubs. Can anybody explain to me the logic of going to the expense of removing established foliage and then replacing it again when Bexley Council keep telling us that they are trying to save money. Even more astounding is the fence that has been erected in the rear alleyway of the houses of Oaklands Ave on the banks of the river Shuttle. Oak posts with metal pipe work and a great big farm like gate that has been erected at what must have been many thousands of pounds to achieve what?
Last year I was amazed when a beautiful cock pheasant appeared in my garden. This morning at about 6.30 I was in Willersley Park with my dog when I saw what I thought was a fox running along the river Shuttle. It ran towards me and when it got closer I realised it was a Muntjac deer. Once it saw me it ran towards Marlborough park and out of sight. Has anybody else seen a deer in Sidcup and where it could have come from.