WALBERSWICK COMMON LANDS CHARITY
Wally's Bridge has proven very popular with crabbers over the summer months. A number of people have asked about the restoration cost and also the type of timber used for the replacement planks. The timber is Ekki, which is commonly used in marine applications. The net cost to the Charity was around £5,000 after allowing for contributions from local families and the Environment Agency. By the time you read this report the piling works to East Point Bay should have been completed.
The Trustees recently inspected Bennett's Copse and reviewed the options for its management. The decision has been made to leave the Copse as a sanctuary for flora and fauna in the heart of the Village, with minimal human intervention. This is in line with recommendations from Natural England.
After taking advice from arboricultural consultants, the Charity has reluctantly applied for planning permission to remove the two Monterey Cypress trees which adjoin the Potters Wheel restaurant on the Green. The tree adjoining Ferry Road has a potentially dangerous overhang and it must be removed; in addition the consultants have recommended removal of the remaining tree on the grounds of low life expectancy, future risk of limb failure and appearance. The consultants will be advising the Charity on suitable replacement species.
The Charity's annual drop-in morning will be held in the Village Hall Annex from 10am to 12 noon on Saturday 19th October. All are welcome to learn more about the work of the Charity. Barbara Priestman will be there in her role as Volunteer Warden for the Common. Plus we would welcome your thoughts on replacement trees for the Potters Wheel.
Finally a reminder that work on the Common will commence with a walk round with Barbara and Will Russel from Natural England on Wednesday September 25th at 2pm: meet at the car park at the end of Church Lane. Volunteers are welcome every Wednesday afternoon starting on October 2nd no tools required but stout gloves recommended.