Not a great start weatherwise for our visit but Angela, Maddie, Julie and myself braved the elements and commenced our walk on the Spen Valley Greenway in Cleckheaton. A flowering blackthorn bush was much admired en route and spring bulbs could be seen newly emerging. Stuart met us at the Community Wood but elected not to stay and so we pressed on. The whole area is dedicated to the memory of Jo Cox, the former Batley and Spen MP, who was murdered in 2016. Funding for the project was obtained from a variety of sources on the understanding that only native trees were planted and so there is a mixture of alder, willow, hazel, birch, oak, cherry and hawthorn with provision also for some fruiting trees. Some of the larger trees were sponsored by local people and it is obvious from reading the noticeboard that community involvement has been crucial in taking this project forward.
On our walk through the well maintained pathways Angela pointed out the female flower on the hazel. Hawthorns were just coming into leaf and snowdrops reminded us that spring was not far off. Rain, which had been relatively light up to this point, now became much heavier and a decision was made to take a detour up Quaker Lane, an old packhorse route, and visit Robert. On our way we were fortunate to bump into Colin, one of Robert's neighbours, who had been heavily involved in the project from the outset. Colin was able to give us much detail about the work that had been put into the infrastructure (pathways, fencing, gates) and also about the extensive tree planting that was needed to cover the site. The land utitlised is owned by Kirklees Council and is leased on a peppercorn rent basis - literally! A field was also purchased from a local farmer that adjoins the site and in this area a pond has been created. The pond is flourishing with an abundance of frogs, newts, dragonflies and damselflies according to Colin.
We were then invited in for coffee by Robert which gave us a much needed opportunity to dry off. Fortunately by the time we left the rain had stopped and a stroll back through the wood produced sightings of robin, blackbird and great tit. Birdsong was much more evident as we reached the Greenway on our return trip and there a decision was taken to stop for refreshments in an excellent cafe before returning home. My thanks to both Robert and Colin for making an initially miserable day a lot more informative and rewarding.
Sally Tetlow