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BFER Newsletter 6th Edition November 2021

View this email in your browser BFER NEWSLETTER 6th EDITION – November 2021 Welcome to the BFER newsletter   Welcome to the November edition of the BFER newsletter. It’s scary to think that the second year of delivery is rushing to an end, and yet it feels like we’re only just getting started! October has […]

BFER NEWSLETTER
6th EDITION – November 2021

Welcome to the BFER newsletter

 

Welcome to the November edition of the BFER newsletter.

It’s scary to think that the second year of delivery is rushing to an end, and yet it feels like we’re only just getting started!

October has proved to be an eventful month, with several exciting projects finally getting going on delivery and our programme of engagement activities getting a much need shot in the arm. Check out our project updates and forward-looking events calendar for more information.

Although having managed to link up with many great people and organisations who will partner with us to deliver a wide range of new outdoor activities, we were sad to say goodbye to Ellie, our Volunteer and Engagement Officer this month. Despite only having been with us for a short period, Ellie has managed to make a big impact, and we will miss her energy and can-do attitude.

I hope to be recruiting soon to fill her post, so please look out for the advert this month, and forward it on to anyone you think might enjoy taking on the challenge.

It’s been another busy month for our partners planning and delivering a wide range of projects, some of which are highlighted in this month’s update. You can find even more updates on our project pages here: https://brecks.org/bfer/
 

I hope you enjoy reading this and would like to encourage you to provide feedback on content, submit ideas and articles, or links to relevant activities in the Scheme area by contacting bfer.admin@suffolk.gov.uk

BFER Scheme Manager

Project Focus

Our partners have been incredibly busy this month, here are just a few highlights to celebrate key project milestones.

 
3.2 Fen Edge & Rivers Archaeology


 

October saw the start of our Fen Edge & Rivers Archaeology project. Led by Suffolk County Council Archaeology Service this project aims to reveal the extent and condition of buried archaeology at key sites in the project area focusing on the Lark Valley. We will explore under-investigated sites and the peripheries of known sites to stitch this historical landscape together, revealing how the river and its surrounding landscape were used through time. This month we have been focusing at delivering geophysical training to volunteers at the site of West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village.
Volunteers have taken part in a four-day training course using two methods of geophysical surveying including the use of a cart and a bartington. The training is being carried out by Phase Site Investigations who have experience in heritage and commercial geophysics surveying.
 

Read more about the project here

3.3 Watery Wildlife
 
The Watery Wildlife project has been very busy over the last few months with two school visits to Thompson Common, two films about Thompson Common and the Pingo Ponds, and the completion of a calendar.

The Watery Wildlife Calendar produced together with Norfolk Wildlife Trust and Suffolk Wildlife Trust celebrates some of the amazing plants and wildlife that can be found in watery habitats in the Brecks. The Calendar shows which months you are mostly likely to find them and it also shows a map of the Wildlife Trust sites.
 

Click the image to view the calendar in full on the project webpage
 
 


This video which is aimed at the younger audience and can be used as a resource for teachers and focuses on Thompson Common and the Pingo Ponds. 

The other view produced can be found on the Watery Wildlife project page.

4.5 Volunteer Hub & Engagement
 
During October we teamed up with Positive Steps Fitness and Wellbeing to host our first Nordic Walking Taster session at West Stow Country Park. We had 7 enthusiastic walkers come down and try out nordic walking. We hope to continue more events like this in the future so make sure to follow us on social media for updates on events we are hosting 
  

4.6 3rd Party Grant Fund
We have awarded £750 to Honington and Sapiston Parish Council for their interpretation boards.

 

Towards the end of September we went along to the unveiling of the Brecks Fen Edge & Rivers LP funded interpretation board which forms part of the new Honington & Sapiston heritage trail.

We were joined with members of Honington and Sapiston Parish Council and Andrew Blenkiron, Euston Estate Director who was representing the Duke of Grafton.

 

Calling all schools!

We have various projects in the pipeline that we would like to engage with schools in the Brecks area. If you are interested in any of these projects please email us at: BFER.admin@suffolk.gov.uk
 


 
Eels in the Classroom is lead by Norfolk Rivers Trust which involves a tank being set up in a classroom, children are taught about their local significance and life cycle and then at the end of the project they get to release the eels into the river.
 

 
We are offering schools free Little Pick Lessons with the River Trust through the Preventing Plastic Pollution project. The Litter Pick lesson is linked to Citizen Science, and the science, maths and citizenship curricula. In the lesson, pupils take part in a practical outdoor activity to collect litter on their school site. They record their litter finds as data, which they collate as a class and then submit to The Rivers Trust’s Citizen Science platform for schools. They also receive an introduction to the issue of plastic pollution and an opportunity to discuss some of the problems and possible solutions together.
 
Do you work for a school near Lackford Lakes or know someone who does? Please let us know, we are looking for schools to take part in an education project lead by Suffolk Wildlife Trust.
 

Upcoming Events

We are really excited to share with you some of the wonderful outdoor events and activities that are in the pipeline.

BFER Events

Guided Walk Session: 25th November
West Stow Country Park IP28 6HG
The first of our monthly programme of guided walks for all ages and abilities. Exploring the river Lark and Kings Forest, watch out for King Fishers and Deer!

Spotlight on Thetford: 28th November
An event focusing on health and wellbeing with exciting events and activities for all ages, at various locations around the town centre.

Festive Guided Walk Session: 23rd December
Santa special walking from Brandon to Weeting
Part of our monthly programme of guided walks for all ages and abilities, led by Positive Steps Fitness and Wellbeing.

 

Do you have an event you would like us to promote on our newsletter, on our website, or across our social media pages?

Please complete the form for us to share your event:

Event detail form

Volunteer Opportunities

Our Partners below are recruiting volunteers for a variety of exciting projects in the Brecks:

Brecks’ Fen Edge and Rivers LP – Events Volunteers

Bush Adventures UK – Events Volunteers and Garden Volunteers

Charles Burrell Museum – Front of House Volunteer, Main Display Area Guide, Café Staff and Engine Specific Volunteer

Tales from the River – Research Volunteer

For more information on the opportunities visit: https://brecks.org/bfer/resources/volunteer-hub/

Upcoming Opportunities:

Brecks’ Fen Edge and Rivers Archaeology – Geophysics Volunteer Opportunity. Recruiting stars mid-September. Join our mailing list or follow us on social media to sign up.

West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village and Country Park – Woodland Conservation Volunteer Opportunity. Details coming soon.

If you are recruiting volunteers in the Brecks area and would like to advertise your opportunities here, please email: bfer.admin@suffolk.gov.uk
 

Social Media
 
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Are you subscribed to us on YouTube?

We will be creating more video content this year so make sure to subscribe to us on YouTube and hit the notification bell!

While we are out filming videos for you, you can watch our latest video here:

Open Water Lifeguard Training May 2021

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Project 2.2 Update November 2021
New Teacher Resources added to Watery Wildlife Education
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