You might have seen that Grassroots Wirksworth has started to contribute articles to the community newspaper, Community Fayre
We’re going to archive them here as well, the latest issue had an article about the local wildlife. Look out for the next issue with an article about local transport.
LET IN THE WILD THINGS
GRASSROOTS Wirksworth is joining forces with the Northern Light Cinema to show the recently released film Wilding, during the Wirksworth Festival. screenings are at 6pm on tuesday 10 September, and 8pm on wednesday 11 September.
Wilding tells the inspiring story of the Knepp estate in Sussex, where the owners made space on their farm to let the wild things back in. The transformation, combining a successful business with wildlife conservation, is impressive. To book, go to www. tnlcinema.co.uk.
Although few of us have a massive farm to rewild, and others question the ‘messiness’ of places left for wildlife, there are some great examples of wild places to visit right on our doorstep, to be enjoyed by everyone. Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, based in Middleton, has six nature reserves within a couple of miles of Wirksworth, featuring meadows, woodland, mineral workings and wetlands: Rose end Meadows, Gang Mine, Cromford Canal, Derwentside, Hopton Quarry and Lea Wood. Do you know them? You can find out more at www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk
Many of us are familiar with the High Peak Trail and Black Rocks for walking, cycling and railway history. Derbyshire Countryside Service looks after these sites for wildlife as well, including Redhill Quarry nature Reserve located behind Middleton Top. Here you’ll find wildflowers growing in abundance in the summer, including several species of orchid.
The Cromford Canal Site of Special Scientific Interest, stretching between Cromford and Ambergate, is managed by Derbyshire County Council for both people and nature. The canal is a haven for water voles, a threatened and declining species, and for grass snakes, little grebes, moorhen and coots. The southern end towards Poyser’s Bridge is excellent for dragonflies. See www. derbyshire.gov.uk/leisure/countryside for more information.
When Severn Trent built Carsington Water in the 1980s, the needs of wildlife had to be considered in the design. Today the open waters, muddy shorelines and native woodland offer habitats for all kinds of birds including kingfishers, buzzards and grebes. The Carsington Bird Club welcomes new members and offers Birdwatching for Beginners sessions every month. See www. carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk.
In Bolehill, Ashleyhay and Wirksworth there are rewilding projects under way – the most ambitious being the Wild Maple Field project in Summer Lane. After the Wilding screening on September 10, we’ll go to the Red Lion to talk about what’s happening locally to help wildlife thrive, and some of the Wild Maple Field team will be joining us.
Work under way at the Wild Maple Field
Grassroots Wirksworth is a local group taking positive action to help our community, environment and businesses to thrive. If there is a film and topic you’d like us to share please let us know by emailing grassrootswirksworth@gmail.com.
Grassroots Wirksworth