After an extraordinary month of weather in late May where the temperature dropped from 30 to 13 degrees within a couple of days, we had several days of regular and much needed rain. Now the seasons are settling down and to give reassurance the cuckoo was heard at both ends of the village in May and June.
We welcome news from Henry on the activities of Doris, the heroine of the Secret Garden episode and also of the kingfishers...
“Doris, the ‘Secret Garden’ supermum, who coaxed her ducklings into leaping unhurt from their tree nest, and then defended them from an otter attack, has this year taken up residence in a large planter on the river wall between the Mill and wooden weir, where she is sitting on no less than 12 eggs. While she is on the nest her every move is being filmed, but who knows where she will take her ducklings when they hatch? Knowing Doris, she might make them leap 10 feet directly into the river. Or perhaps she will lead them over the wooden weir into the meadow and from there to the river.
Meanwhile downstream, a pair of kingfishers are nesting again exactly where they nested in ‘Secret Garden’. However, the recent rains have raised river levels, and I have had to remove the wildlife cameras mounted on posts in the river covering the activity”.
Not such welcome wildlife activities have been occurring in the church as a jackdaw found its way into the building, made a nest and produced a clutch of chicks which were fed by both parents. We hope that Robin Pykett has successfully blocked up the gap between wall and roof now that the fledgelings have flown off.
In the coming month we have a wedding: Sarah Godowski’s son Robbie is marrying Jess at St Leonard’s on July 18, with the reception in their field afterwards. Sara says- “There’s still a lot to do including growing the flowers! Carriages are at midnight so hoping not to disturb anyone too much.”
A word from Lorna to all who contribute to the parish mag by writing the monthly newsletter. Please can we send our contributions directly to Lorna as well as to Lawrence Wootton on completion, so by the beginning of the month they can go straight onto the website and we do not need to be chased!
I feel thanks are due as always to Lawrence Wootton who fulfils such a fantastic job by editing the magazine and organising the printing, ready for distribution around the villages. Also thanks are due for the regular delivery to our homes, this job is very kindly carried out monthly by Angela Abdoo and is much appreciated.
