Talk on the Wildlife of Bayfordbury
In May, our very own General Secretary Ian Flack gave us a talk on the wildlife that can be found on the Bayfordbury site and in the Pinetum. Using copious pictures, many of which he took himself, Ian described the mammals, amphibians, insects and birds that have been found, the tracks they leave and how monitoring is done. He concluded with footage from trailcams showing what the badgers and foxes get up to at night.
In May, our very own General Secretary Ian Flack gave us a talk on the wildlife that can be found on the Bayfordbury site and in the Pinetum. Using copious pictures, many of which he took himself, Ian described the mammals, amphibians, insects and birds that have been found, the tracks they leave and how monitoring is done. He concluded with footage from trailcams showing what the badgers and foxes get up to at night.
Gong Bathing
On a beautiful Sunday afternoon on 18th June, we held a gong bathing in the Pinetum. Chrissie Martin, a holistic therapist, was invited to lead the bathing. This was an occasion to rejuvenate mind body and spirit through relaxation, enhanced by the ebbing and flowing vibrations of a gong. Some 40 people participated, lying or sitting in the peaceful area of the Summerhouse Lookout.
Chrissie brought a colleague who makes his own gongs which he displayed in the Entrance Area and allowed us to try them out.
On a beautiful Sunday afternoon on 18th June, we held a gong bathing in the Pinetum. Chrissie Martin, a holistic therapist, was invited to lead the bathing. This was an occasion to rejuvenate mind body and spirit through relaxation, enhanced by the ebbing and flowing vibrations of a gong. Some 40 people participated, lying or sitting in the peaceful area of the Summerhouse Lookout.
Chrissie brought a colleague who makes his own gongs which he displayed in the Entrance Area and allowed us to try them out.
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The Pinetum is a lovely place to encourage a sense of wellbeing. When you stop and focus, you appreciate small details like the thousands of spider’s webs in the branches of the Cedrus brevifolia that shades the site but also realise how noisy the Pinetum can be: lots of birdsong (nice) but also aircraft passing overhead and trains rumbling by on the Hertford line (less nice). Everyone was enthusiastic about the occasion and some stayed on to enjoy a picnic.
 | Annual barbecue On 27th June, we had our annual barbecue at Bayfordbury. As you can see from the picture (left), the weather wasn’t the greatest but we were able to improvise in true British fashion, cooking on the grills under a gazebo and enjoying these offerings (burnt or otherwise!) indoors in the building with the breads, salads and desserts supplied. |
| RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS We are restoring a small pond that sits above the leat. There has always been a depression there and we think it might have fed the leat and Grotto with extra water. Our version will be decorative and attract wildlife. In the pictures below, we have dug out the circular shape, adjusted the levels and created a sill on which stones will sit. The pond will be lined, bedded in and have wildlife ramps etc built in. |  |
