Calderdale Council Countryside Service
Public Survey: Cycling on Norland Moor, Calderdale by November 11
Norland Moor is majority owned and managed by Calderdale Council and provides nearly 100 hectares of important heath and moorland habitat.
The area is also an attractive and valued recreational venue for many different user groups, including cyclists. Cycling is a widely exercised activity on the Moor, though it is currently prohibited through Urban Common status and current byelaws.
Calderdale Council is considering granting permission for cyclists to legally access the Moor. If granted, this would allow cyclists to use certain existing routes, paths, and tracks on that part of the Moor in Council ownership. The Council is currently seeking views on this proposal and would like to hear from all users of the Moor, interest groups, governmental bodies, charitable organisations, and members of the public to help it in making an informed decision.
An aerial map showing the proposed routes, paths and tracks are available on-line or can inspected at Halifax Central Library, Square Road, Halifax, HX1 1QG during normal opening hours (closed Sunday). Alternatively, copies can be requested via email by contacting countryside@calderdale.gov.uk
View Aerial Map for Norland Moor proposed routes here
To submit your response on-line, please visit https://online1.snapsurveys.com/NorlandMoor
Alternatively ,you can write to us at Norland Moor Cycling Consultation (FAO Calderdale Countryside Service), Spring Hall Mansion, Huddersfield Road, Halifax HX3 OAQ requesting a paper copy of the survey
You can also email countryside@calderdale.gov.uk , or collect a paper copy from Halifax Central Library. Paper responses can be left in the collection box in the Central Library or can be posted back to the address above.
Responses need to arrive no later than 11.11 2022
Scanning the QR code below will take you directly to the survey
Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve, Elland
Have you ever visited your local nature reserve?
As the days get brighter and longer and we venture more and more outdoors, how about discovering one of our local hidden gems?
Cromwell Bottom Wildlife Group are a registered charity of volunteers . We work in partnership with Calderdale’s Countryside Team to sustain its beautiful surroundings and diversity of wildlife, for the public to enjoy.
A great place to explore for so many reasons.
Visit our Facebook page for more information, or better still, come have a look at the reserve itself!
Calderdale Countryside News Winter/Spring 2021
Welcome to the winter/spring newsletter for 2021, hope you are all keeping well as we start the New Year. Being back in lockdown is tough and is proving to be a challenge to lots of us, but now there is light at the end of the tunnel with the roll out of the vaccine and the days getting lighter as we head towards spring. Winter is currently in full flow with storms and snow to contend with, but despite that here’s hoping you manage to get out and explore your local countryside over the next few months to make the most of the changing seasons.
>> Read the Countryside News here <<
Your Calderdale Countryside News for Winter/Spring 2020 is here!
Welcome to the first newsletter of Countryside News for 2020, packed with ideas of how to make the most of enjoying the great outdoors, right at your doorstep!
There are events for you to get involved in, wildlife awareness courses, volunteering opportunities, as well as news and updates you don’t want to miss.
>> Read the Countryside News here <<
Christmas Tree Recycling
Once the mince pies have lost their appeal and the turkey is gone the one thing left to remind you of a good Christmas is your real tree. But what to do with it once the festive period is over and the needles are starting to drop? Have no fear as you can recycle your Christmas tree at Ogden Water. Each year Calderdale Countryside Services receive thousands of trees, some that have their roots cut off and others potted. No matter what the state of your tree they can use it.
Trees can be left outside the visitor centre/classroom and then a hardy bunch of volunteers work the trees, removing branches down one side and placing the cut trees into a brash layer surrounding the reservoir. This thick layer adds a dash of colour during January, but has a number of other advantages. The layer prevents anyone from accessing the water – helping to keep people safe while still enjoying the site. It also creates a habitat that is used by birds, mammals insects and plants to breed, grow and develop over the coming year.
Any trees that are donated with roots on are planted around the estate in areas that would benefit from wind protection or in need of thickening up with firs & pines. Trees can be dropped off until the end of January and there are a number of days planned for people to help put the trees out around the reservoir, for more details please email chris.sutcliffe@calderdale.gov.uk
Get Involved to Turn your Street into a Hedgehog Friendly Street
The British Hedgehog Preservation Society would like you to get involved to turn your street into a hedgehog friendly street.
In the 1950s, there were an estimated 30 million hedgehogs in Britain, but they are disappearing fast, with only 1.5 million recorded in the 1990s and numbers falling since.
On 8 September 2017 the Daily Mail ran an article by Victoria Allen stating that experts are saying not to feed hedgehogs in autumn, see
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4866304/Want-help-hedgehogs-DON-T-feed-say-experts.html
The British Hedgehog Preservation Society has made it very clear that there is NO evidence to suggest this is the correct course of action and no new research has been carried out in this area. Their advice remains to offer hedgehog food, meaty cat or dog food, cat biscuits and water for hedgehogs up until they hibernate. This food can literally be a lifesaver, helping them build the fat reserves they need for hibernation.
Fay Vass, Chief Executive of BHPS said “I was alarmed to read this misleading article. There is no evidence to suggest this is the right course of action, I feed hedgehogs in my own garden and will continue to do so right up until the food is no longer taken. Providing supplementary food for hedgehogs at a time when it is critical for them to gain weight in preparation for hibernation is to be encouraged. Should future science prove robustly that this is not the correct thing to do then of course our advice would change, but there is no such evidence or indeed any such research being carried out.”
FREE Batwatch Event for all the family
Join Calderdale Countryside Officer, Chris Sutcliffe, on a search for bats in the lovely, old St. Matthew’s churchyard to find out more about the life of bats and listen for them using bat detectors.
Tuesday 24 May – 9pm
Meet at the tower opposite the Sun Inn, Lightcliffe
This event is FREE and all ages welcome but children must be accompanied by an adult and warm clothing is advised.
Take the Norland Moor Visitor Survey
Calderdale Countryside and Woodlands Service are conducting a visitor survey on Norland Moor over the summer and autumn to find out what people do on Norland Moor, how often they visit and what (if any) things they would like to alter about the way the moor is managed.
Click here to take the short survey today!
The information gathered will be used to help decide how best to manage the moor in the future. The survey is the first stage, followed by a series of focus groups to zoom in on issues faced by different user groups.
After all this has been completed, a management plan will be produced for the moor taking to account people’s views before the final document goes out to consultation during spring/summer 2016.
Calderdale Lower Valley blog 