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The Hundred Parishes Society
The What’s On section of our website
shows a great many local activities
throughout the Summer. As you
travel about, I hope you will enjoy
the vegetation along roadside verges
that adds much to the overall vision
of the countryside. The species present
will vary throughout the seasons and
refl ect the underlying geology and
cutting regime of a particular stretch
of verge. For road safety reasons, some
verges are close-mown but these may
be speckled with the fl ower heads
of Common Daisy, Dandelion and
other species which thrive under such
treatment. On busier roads, often only
the fi rst metre is cut on a regular basis,
allowing taller wild fl owers to survive
further back.
During early summer our verges are
dominated by swathes of the white
frothy fl owers of Cow Parsley or the
chunkier white fl owers of Hogweed.
Both are members of the Carrot
family and, perhaps surprisingly,
thrive on the extra nutrients released
by car exhausts. Although many
species of insects visit their fl owers,
their tendency to shade out smaller
plants reduces the overall variety of
wayside fl owers and potential food
for other insects. Similarly, increased
roadside nutrient levels encourage
Docks and Stinging Nettles which also
overshadow delicate species including
blue-fl owered Speedwells.
Roadside Nature Reserve sign
Splashes of pink are provided by
clumps of Red Campion; and blue or
purple by Vetches and several species
of Geranium. Thistles and scarlet
Poppies appear where bare soil is
exposed. The presence of a large
expanse of Ox-eye daisy, with its white
petals and yellow centre, is usually
due to its inclusion in seed mixes sown
alongside newer roads.
A number of verges have been
Animal Agents, Summer
Reading Challenge 2017
15th July to the 2nd September
identifi ed as Special Roadside Verges
or Roadside Nature Reserves. These are
recognised for their fl oristic diversity or
for the presence of rare species.
Tricia Moxey
Trustee
Essex Libraries Summer Reading
Challenge is called Animal Agents
this year. Children will be invited into
the world of detectives, sleuths and
solving puzzles.
Animal Agents will inspire reading
on a grand scale and place newly
discovered authors under the
microscope. Children will explore new
titles and discover facts, characters and
stories across the best contemporary
children’s writing.
Children will be encouraged to read
any six books of their choice to collect
stickers in their Animal Agents folder;
there are other exciting rewards along
the way and, when they complete, they
will receive a medal and certifi cate.
In each library children will be able to
hunt out the Animal Agents and join
in with wild activities. Animal Agents
is aimed at children aged 3-12 with a
special early years version for babies
and toddlers.
Audley End Miniature Railway
Join the Audley End Miniature Railway
for their brand new event for 2017!
The Fairy and Elf Festival will leave you
wanting to become a real life Fairy or
Elf. The Picnic area will be packed full
of fun activities for your children to
immerse themselves in, including Story
Telling, Face Painting, Hair Braiding,
Games Area and Craft Making. You
can also take an enchanting Train
Ride through the Audley End Estate
Woodland and dive into the magical
land of our Fairy and Elf Walk!
Open: 27th May to 4th June, 10.00am
to 5.00pm
Included in
the ticket
price: Train
Ride, Fairy
and Elf
Walk, Fairy
or Elf Wand
Making, Craft
Making, Face
Painting and
Hair Braiding,
Story Telling,
Games Area.
Don’t
forget to wear your best Fairy or Elf
outfi t too! Booking is recommended,
book tickets now via their website
www.audley-end-railway.co.uk
P le a s e m e n t i o n ‘ T h e F l yer ’ wh en r esp o n d in g t o ad ver t isements
T H E FLY E R | JU N E 2 0 1 7
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