MEETING OF THE FQNR COMMITTEE REMINDER

There will be a meeting of the FQNR Committee on Saturday at 10pm. at the 610 Community Centre. Committee members are requested to be on time.
None committee members who have a concerns about the reserve or the Aldridge Road Recreation Ground please contact the Chair Councillor Keith Linnecor 360 6486 who will raise the issue / concern on your behalf.

NEWS IN BRIEF APRIL O9

F.O.Q.N.R NEWS IN BRIEF APRIL 09

F.O.Q.N.P GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH
At a well attended activity day organised By Councillor Keith Linnecor (Chair FOQNR) and Dr Stephan Bodnar (the Councils Bio Diversity officer) another mountain of rubbish was removed from the Queslett Nature Reserve recently.
A number of bushes and trees were also pruned in order to improve the health of the trees and improve the lake environment.
Amongst those giving a helping hand were member of the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve, Army cadets from Barrow Lane, Council officers (in their own time) and Khalid Mamood MP who came to offer his support. Many thanks to all of them.

DEVELOPMENT PLAN.
During a public meeting last year, plans to repair and replace fencing and for planting new trees and shrubs were agreed as part of a development plan. This work will be carried out as funding becomes available over the next few years. There are also plans to involve local schools next year. Lessons in Forestry, wildlife and even some N.V.Q skills may be taught on the Quelett Nature Reserve site.

BIRD AND BAT BOXES.
Thank to the efforts of Doctor Stephen Bodnar and Councillor Keith Linnecor, along with willing volunteers from the FOQNR, over 40 Bird or Bat boxes have been put in place in the Queslett Nature Reserve.

THANK YOU FOR FUNDING THE FOQNR
The FONR would like to thank the Oscott Ward Advisory Board including its Chair Keith Linnecor, Councillors Barbara Dring and Graham Green and other community Reps for giving us a grant of £200.

STILL NO CHARGE TO BE A MEMBER OF THE F.O.Q.N.R
Plans to charge for membership of the F.O.Q.N.R have been rejected. The enthusiasm and commitment to the environment and the Reserve is the main requirement of members. The F.O.Q.N.R is an organisation for those who really care and want to help the reserve and the environment.
If you want to be considered for membership of the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve or want to find out more about the F.O.Q.N.R please Tel 464 1869 for details. or keep using this blog.

WELL DONE FRIENDS OF QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE ACTIVISTS

I just want to write and say thank you to Councillor Keith Linnecor the Chair of the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve and Dr Stephan Bodnar Birmingham City Councils Bio Diversity officer for all the work they did organising the recent Queslett Nature Reserve Activity day.
I thought it went very well and all those who helped on the day including a number of youngster from the Army cadets did very well. We need more hand on people to help solve problems.

Brian Brookes

FQNR member.

VANDALISM TO OUR TREES MUST STOP

As sure as night follows day and elections follow an avalanche of leaflets, anti social yobs leave a trail of broken newly planted trees in the spring. What amusement some people get from destroying a new trees is beyond me. As I do most year I will bring this issue to the attention of the Police and hope they can catch one of these mindless fools in the act.
If you see anyone trying to damage a tree in the Queslett Nature reserve (or sadly trying to set fire to one) call the park rangers 464 8728 ASAP. If you see some one vandalising a tree on the highway call the Police.
If you want to protect our newly planted trees, should we ever get a Dry spell of weather why not water a new tree if it is is near where you live it may just help it survive?

Councillor Keith Linnecor


Chair FQNR

PREVENTING ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOR IN OUR RESERVE

Like most places the Queslett Nature Reserve recieves the unwanted behavior of some anti social people (young and not so young).
This can range from dumping rubbish in the reserve (there is a Salvage centre at Holford Drive a 5 minute drive away), setting fires, riding motorised vehicles in the reserve and throwing life rings in the lake. (The lake in the reserve is a dangerous place not suitable for swimming in)
All these unwanted activities can be annoying and in some cases dangerous.
As members of the FOQNR we can act as its eyes and ears and report any unwanted activities.

If there is a serious incident going on, contact the Police on the 999 system. If you see any thing that has happened you can contact the Parke's department 464 8728.
Do not however put your self in any danger and follow the code of practise and Aims of the FOQNR. If you are a member and have lost yours or if there is any other information you want please ring me on 360 6486.

Councillor Keith Linnecor Chair
FOQNR

ANOTHER ACTIVITY DAY TAKES PLACE

Well what a day the Friends off the Queslett Road Nature Reserve Activity day turned out to be!!approximately 40 people turned up to help clean up the reserve and prune back undergrowth amongst other things.Amongst the helpers were members of the Friends of the Qeuslett Nature Reserve, a team of Army Cadets and local youngsters. Khalid Mahmood MP also came along to give his encouragement.Dr Stephen Bodnar Birmingham Cities Bio Diversity officer (Who has appeared on Nature Watch) was there to supervise some much needed tree clearance work which when completed should improve the wild life in the reserve and improve the condition of the lake.A team from the Barrows Lane Army Cadets under the supervision of local man Bob Turner worked tirelessly along with members of the FOQNR to tidy up the reserve.Dozens of old shopping trolleys were removed as well as old bikes,plastic rubbish and all sorts of litter.A large number of lif safety rings were also taken out of the lake As Chair of the FOQNR I would just like to thank all those involved and I am sure in year to come the Reserve will really see the benefit.It was also very pleasing to see so many youngster prepared to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in.

Councillor Keith Linnecor
Chair FOQNR

NEW BUSHES FOR THE ALDRIDGE ROAD RECREATION GROUND

The Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve which incorporates the Aldridge Road Recreation ground, are pleased to see that prickly bushes have gone in the A.R.G near the Great Barr Leisure Centre Wall. This should help stop local youths gathering near this wall anti anti socially and putting graffiti on the wall. Well done to PC Casson and those others responsible.