This is a new group for people who are interested in nature and wildlife of
the village. It’s primarily existing on the Gotherington WhatsApp group but
you can also email me for information on any planned activities,
gotheringtonnaturegroup@gmail.com
Gotherington has a rich heritage of orchard growing and it is deeply
embedded in its cultural identity. We have gained funding for a Community
Orchard in Freemans Field. The trees will be heritage varieties, with 40 %
local. Orchards are amazing places for wildlife and biodiversity. Orchards
offer a great partnership between humans and nature, providing diversity for
wildlife, health, meaning and hope for both.
What would be nice is to connect with people who have remnants of the old
orchards in their back gardens. I understand there is a rare variety of apple
in the village. If we could find and identify it, we could potentially take graft
cuttings and propagate a few more. Please email me if you have any details.
There is potential for this group to grow depending on want people want “it”
to be. We could set up monthly themes according to seasons, have a “Friends
of the Orchard”, do hands on citizen science, become a “Habimapper” (see
note below), moth trapping, the ideas are endless. Just let me know.
And finally, remember, its nesting season now and No Mow May is coming,
let it grow for nature, look up plantlife.org.uk and listen out for the cuckoo in
Gotherington Woods around the 26th April, maybe earlier. The Bluebells will
also be a wonderful sight up there too.
Nicola Wilson
Editor’s Note – The HabiMap programme is a collaborative effort bringing
together citizen scientists and landholders to map and monitor
Gloucestershire’s wildlife habitats.
