FQNR THANKS COUNCILLORS KEITH LINNECOR (CHAIR FQNR) FOR HIS HARD WORK AND DEDICATION

The Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve surprised its chair Councillor Keith Linnecor by handing him a certificate and small trophy for all his hard work and dedication in working to improve the Queslett Nature Reserve and surrounding area.

FQNR Committee member wanted to make sure he was aware that they recognise his leadership and often unseen behind the scenes work



On receiving his award Councillor Keith Linnecor said " I am a little shocked, surprised and not just a little honoured by this.
However the FONR  is a team organisation and we all work just as hard to try and keep this reserve and other open spaces tidy and environmentally friendly. Thank you very much for this certificate and trophy now lets get on with some work"

O

WATCH OUT FOR TAYLOR WIMPEY BOOTHS LANE DEVELOPEMENT PLANS

The FQNR are concerned about the size of the new proposed development being put forward by Taylor Wimpey re Booths Lane. It seems to us 250 homes is a lot of houses and will mean a lot of people living on it.
We are also calling on the developers to regardless of any plans in the future to keep Booths lane open.
Our representatives along with Local Councillors, Tristan Chatfield and Councillor Keith Linnecor (Chair FQNR) have been to the open day which took place at the Baptist Church Beeches Road on Friday 26th October and we will be monitoring what happens in the future. WE are also calling for as much open space as possible to be retained in the area.

ANOTHER FQNR ACTIVITY ACTION SESSION GOES WELL AND THANKS TO THE PERRY COMMON YOUNG FIRE FIGHTERS

The Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve held its activity session

on the 26th of October.
It was well attended and amongst those who came along to help were youngsters from the Perry Common Young Fire Fire fighters team ( who did an excellent job) and Birmingham Parks Ranger James.

There was plenty of good team work shown all round with shopping Trolly's, bags of rubbish and pruning work undertaken.

Well done to all those who came along and worked so hard.

FRIENDS OF QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE ACTIVITY DAY 26TH OCT

This is an early warning that the next Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve activity session will take place on the 26th October starting at 11.0am. The meeting place will be the Ashworth Road entrance.

There will be light pruning and litter picking taking place.

Member are welcome as are members of the public. Children are also welcome under the supervision of an adult.

When attending these meetings please remember the safety of those around you and to come prepared for the weather.
Please do not obstruct local residents drive ways when parking your car.

The Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve are concerned about the areas wild life and environment as well as the reserve its self

 This event may be cancelled in bad weather so please look out for news on this blog and Councillor Keith Linnecor's

A LOT OF HARD WORK AT TODAYS ACTIVITY SESSION

We had yet another  busy Friends of Queslett Nature Reserve

activity session. It was certainly not a day for the faint hearted
We managed to prune back most of the over hanging bushes on the Old Horns Crescent boundary as well as some along the main paths.
Members still managed to fill half a dozen black bags with  litter.
It was a real get your sleeves rolled up session with everyone pulling their wait. Well done to everyone and it just shows action is louder than words.
Members are reminded to look out for the next activity day event announcement on Councillor Keith Linnecor's News and Views from Oscott blog.http://keithlinnecor.blogspot.co.uk/
 on this blog

  or in the Great Barr Observer.

12 SIMPLE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE

                                                                                  

12 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE

1.      Attend Friends of Queslett nature Reserve activity sessions at the reserve (on average 6 per year?) At these sessions we carry out light pruning work, litter picking, occasional training sessions with Rangers.

2.      Become the “Eyes and ears of the reserve-If you see a problem report it. If you see anti-social behaviour inform the Police (do not put yourself in any risk). The Police and Ranger Service cannot be everywhere and need people on the ground to let them know of any issues.

3.      Take a walk with a bag and collect discarded litter. (Recycling banks are on the ASDA Complex for plastic bottles and so on.)

4.      Ensure the wild life in the reserve is not disturbed.

5.      If you are a dog walker ensure your dog’s mess is got up. Bag it and bin it. Take it home or use the litter bin at the Ashworth Road entrance.

6.      Do not leave any litter behind when you use the reserve.

7.      Do not enter the lake it is untreated and has under water obstructions it. Never go out on the lake if there is ice on it...

8.      If you are young, stick with friends when you go in the reserve and let your parents know you are there.

9.      Do not be tempted to plant anything in the reserve without asking to first.

10.  Never use a motor bike or quad bike in the reserve.

11.  Never start an open fire or use Barbecue on the reserve as this could lead to sparks starting off grass and shrub fires. These can be dangerous.

12.  JOIN THE FOQNR We work to improve the Queslett Nature Reserve for the wild life and those who use the reserve. We also take an interest in the Aldridge Recreation ground and in the local environment generally.

 We do not just talk. Membership is free but a donation is welcome.

THANKS FOR KEEPING THE RESERVE FREE OF LITTER

Many thanks for a litter free walk in the lovely Queslett Nature Reserve.
Those who help keep the reserve clean are doing a great job. I remember what it was like years ago.
It is now a place to go for a peasant walk and a bit of peace and quiet.
Well done to all concerned in keeping it clean.

J.D
Local resident

ITS NOT TO LATE TO ENTER THE FQNRSUMMER LETTER WRITING COMPETITION

 AGED 7 TO 13 ?

It is still not to late to enter the Fiends of the Queslett Nature Reserve letter writing competition.
There is a £20 gift Voucher for the winner and a £5 voucher for the runner up.

see Aug 7th post for details and get writing.

A TEAM FROM ASDA QUESLETT OFFER TO HELP AT ACTIVITY DAY

The FOQNR were delighted when a representative from the Queslett Road ASDA offered to send a team to help clean up the reserve on the 24th August.11.30am
There help will be much appreciated as there is always things that need doing in the reserve. There is always litter to be picked up.

ASDA are showing they really care about their local area and we hope there will be more times when we can work together.

Any groups wishing to help out and work to improve the Queslett Nature Reserve / Aldridge Road Recreation Ground  are asked to contact the FQNR Chair Councillor Keith Linnecor who is liaising with senior parks department officials to avoid duplication of efforts
Em Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk.

FQNR MEMBERS CONTACT INFORMATION PLEASE READ

From August 24th members of the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve will no longer be sent letters informing them of FQNR activities (unless letter contact is requested)
This is to save on postage and to help the environment by using less paper
In future members are asked to view this blog and Councillor Keith Linnecor,s blog* for announcements. (see below for details) or we will try and use Emails

We will also try and advertise in the Great Barr Observer if possible.


* http://keithlinnecor.blogspot.co.uk/

Thank you

The FQNR Executive Committee

To join or contact the FQNR
Em    brendafoqnr@yahoo.ca


Membership of the FQNR is free but any donations are welcome.

FQNR ACTIVITY DAY 24TH AUGUST

There will be an Activity day in the Queslett Nature Reserve on Saturday 24th. The meeting place will be the Ashworth Road entrance at 11.30am.

Litter picking and light pruning will be carries out. It is hoped a Park Ranger will be with us.
along with a team of volunteers from ASDA.

Children are welcome if under the supervision of an appropriate adult.
Tools will be provided.
Please come prepared for the weather and wear the appropriate cloths and foot wear.

We ask all those attending to take care at all times while working within the reserve.

The nearest W.C is at the ASDA super store Queslett Road.


Jo join the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve or for further information please Em
brendafoqnr@yahoo.ca
 or
Councillor Keith Linnecor
Chair FQNR
Em Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk
Blog  http://keithlinnecor.blogspot.co.uk/

YOUNG FIRE FIGHTERS (PERRY BARR FIRE STATION) CARRY OUT LITTER PICK

A big thank you on behalf of the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve and those who visit the reserve to the Perry Barr Fire Station (College Road) Young Fire Fighters.
They have shown how much they care about their local Community by doing a great job litter picking in the reserve.
They have removed a number of shopping trolleys and filled a number of black bags with litter.
Thanks also to their organiser Fireman Steve Riddel.
It is really pleasing to see young people putting themselves out to help wild life and the local community.

FREINDS OF QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE CHILDRENS SUMMER WRITING COMPETITION

The FOQNR are holding a summer letter writing competition for youngsters between the age or 7 and 13.

Those wanting to enter the competition will be asked to write a letter of no more than 250 words about the Queslett Nature Reserve. To make it more interesting however within the letter the word Walrus must be used.

The letter may be in the form of a story about the reserve or just about the reserve itself.

There will be a first prize of a £20 ASDA Store gift voucher and the runner up will receive a £5 ASDA Store Gift Voucher

The closing date for this competition will be September 16^th 2013

Entries should be sent to

FOQNR

C/o Mr Ken Brown, Perry District Office, Tamebridge House

Aldridge Road, Perry Barr, Birmingham, B42 2TZ

Or Em it to Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk

THERE IS MORE TO THE FOQNR THAN JUST THE RESERVE

Many people seem to think the FOQNR members are only interested in the reserve.
This is not and never has been the case.
The FQNR has always been an umbrella for a number of environmental issues in the area.
For example the Aldridge Road Recreation Ground comes under the FQNR remit.

We also have close links with the Councillor Keith Linnecor Grot Squad which from time to times litter picks an area out side the reserve but in the Oscott area.
There are also close links with other groups like the Oscott area Neighbourhood Police Initiative and the Oscott Disability group.
The FQNR care about the whole area, encourage keeping our streets clean and recycling.
With the help of our Chairman and Co founder Councillor Keith Linnecor, lobby our Council and other organisations as well as working closely with the Parks department.

We really are a group who do more than complain we try and do.
If you "do" why not join us there is no charge but donations are welcome.
For details em 




Brian Brian Brookes
FOQNR Committee member

JULY 20 ACTIVITY DAY UPDATE

The FQNR had another good activity day 20th July. More path clearance work and litter picking was was carried.
Once again we were joined by members of the Local Police team who not only spoke to members and residents but yet again rolled up their sleaves to help out with some prunning work

Many thanks to all involved.

DO NOT SWIM IN THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE LAKE

The FQNR would like to remind everyone (if you have children please remind them) no one should swim in the Queslett Nature reserve lake it can be dangerous to do so.
It may be tempting in this hot weather but the lake is full of under water obsticles, may still be very cold and is untreated.
We would also suggest dogs are prevented from swimming in the lake.

We hope people will not ignore the Council warning signs in the reserve for their own safety.

QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE ACTIVITY DAY 20TH JULY

The next activity day in the Queslett nature Reserve will be on the 20th July.
meeting at 11pm at the Ashworth Entrance.
Please think of local residents when parking.
We will be pruning and carrying on with litter picking.
Children are welcome under the strict supervision of an appreciate adult.
Please come prepared for the weather and if it is hot, cover up, use sun cream and bring a drink with you.

THANKS TO THE LOCAL POLICE TEAM AND MEMBERS FOR A USEFUL ACTIVITY DAY 13TH JULY

Many thanks to the Local Police Team (Oscott) who came out and helped prune and tidy up the Queslett nature Reserve Sat 13th.and to those members of the FQNR who turned out.
The Ashworth way was pruned back except where birds were still nesting and the Park Ranger was well pleased with our efforts.

HELP PATROL OUR RESERVE

Member of the friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve are asked to be the "eyes and ears of the reserve."
If you use the reserve and spot any anti social behavior please report it to the Police of Ranger service (if you have your mobile with you give them a ring).
Please be care full however and do not put your self in harms way and remember the FQNR have no additional authority in the reserve.

At the moment there have been reports of some people hunting duck, fishing (which is not allowed) setting fires. The Police and Ranger service are patrolling the site but it is large and they need the help of the community.

RESERVE ACTIVITY DAYS 13TH AND 20TH JULY

There will be activity day sessions at the Queslett Nature Reserve on the 13th and 20th of July.
The meeting place for members of the FQNR will be the Ashworth Road entrance at 11pm both days.

Ranger will be in attendance and litter picking and light pruning work will be undertaken.

Please as ever come prepared for the weather (Heavy rain may lead to the cancelling of these events)
Children are welcome under the strict control of an appropriate adult.

For further information please ring 360 6486

AIMS OF THE FQNR JUNE 2013 ON

APPENDIX 1 (also see constitution)

FRIENDS OF THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE

CODE OF PRACTICE AND AIMS

1. Our main aim is to improve the Queslett Nature Reserve for the wild life and those who use the Reserve.
2. Members should respect the wildlife and the environment in the Queslett Nature Reserve.
3. Members should be careful not to disturb the wild life in the QNR
4. Members are encouraged to do what they can to increase the membership of the F.Q.N.R.
5. Members should be considerate of other members and the general public.
6. Members should work with their committee and the Birmingham Council Leisure Services department to improve the QNR.
7. No pruning, construction work or any similar occurrence should take place without the permission of the relevant Birmingham City Council officer.
8. Any member seeing an unlawful act such as vandalism should report the matter to the Parks department or the Police as necessary. We are the eyes and ears of the reserve and act as a Reserve watch. Do not put yourself at any risk
9. Members have no additional authority where the QNR is concerned.
10. Any fund raising or publicity regarding the FQNR must be undertaken with the agreement of the Executive Committee  and be cleared by the Chair
11. Members should also consider the surrounding area’s environmental needs (including the near by Aldridge Road Recreation Ground )
12. The FOQNR is a voluntary organisation.

Note

1. When working in the Queslett Nature Reserve the safety of you and those around you is of paramount concern please take care at all times and also listen to any instructions given. Some training may be given by the Ranger Service during some events.

2. When attending out door events at the Queslett Nature Reserve please come prepared for the weather

3. Any tools lent by the FQNR are strictly at the lenders own risk. Every care should be taken with any tools or equipment lent and any instructions should be read and adhered to. If offered the use of safety equipment please use it.

4. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. The FQNR do not deal directly with children and a responsible adult must take full responsibility for them at all times when they are with  the FQNR

5. Do not enter the lake and keep away from any mud around its edge.

6. Take note of any instructions give, report any problems encountered and let the team leader know you are there and when you leave.

7. Please consider those who live near the reserve when parking your vehicle. Do not obstruct driveways for example in Ashworth road.

8. LOCATION The Queslett Nature Reserve is located off Old Horns Crescent where it has an entrance (near the Queslett ASDA superstore) and has another main entrance in Ashworth Road. There are 2 other entrances off Booths Lane at present.                                                                                                                      (The nearest W.C for public use is in the ASDA superstores)

 Continued

9. Useful contact No

Police -emergencies 999

Police -general enquires / reports 0845 113 5000 or 101

Parks -department 464 8728 / Park Patrols 464 7810

Oscott Ward Support Officer- Ken Brown 675 2349

Chair FQNR - Councillor Keith Linnecor 360 6486

**To Email FQNR Secretary     brendafoqnr@yahoo.ca

There is a FQNR Blog http://queslettnaturereserve.blogspot.com/

There may be updates to this document found from time to time on the FQNR blog as well as features and other information.

Please further note: The Aldridge Recreation ground has now come within the influence of the FQNR and the same Code of practise applies.

All FOQNR MEMEMBERS should read and agree the above terms as part of their membership commitment

WE CARE ABOUT OUR ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

IN A PRACTICAL WAY

FQNR Membership is free but donations are welcome **

Updated June 2013