Out & About September 2017

OA outdoors

Flying the flag for nature JONE AYRES from the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust sings the praises of Greenham Common and the trust that has helped preserve it

Jacky Akam parades the Wildlife Banner and her partner Lincoln Jacobs holds the USAF Banner

G reenham Common is surely incorrectly named; a place with so rich a history can hardly be thought of as common. On top of that, its natural beauty and the sheer volume and variety of its wildlife marks it out as a place of astonishing beauty and wonder. A place to be cherished and nurtured for the good of the local community and for the nature it supports. Greenham Trust reclaimed the common in 1997, following the closure of the RAF airbase, and it is now managed by the Berks Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) on behalf of West Berkshire Council. Rare and endangered wildlife such as nightjars have returned and are growing in numbers, and more local people are enjoying the common for walking, running, cycling, and wildlife photography. The magnificent two-day Greenham: 100 Years of War & Peace event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Greenham Trust starts on Friday, September 8, with professional

Jacky Akam, who led BBOWT’s Linking the Landscape in West Berkshire project, enjoyed reflecting on the importance of the common: “the whole process was huge fun and extremely thought provoking”. Footprints, both human and canine, together with bike tyre marks are dotted along the pathways; cattle and ponies are also present because their grazing is important for managing heather. The wildlife banner is one of 10 superb flags, all of them created by community groups, which will be flying throughout the two-day event. Come along and meet Wildlife Trust volunteers and colleagues who can tell you so much more about the wildlife that make their homes on Greenham Common.

performances alongside local talent and community groups (see feature p24). The Wildlife Trust is joining in and literally flying the flag for nature. Earlier this year, BBOWT volunteers and staff worked alongside professional artist Ali Pretty, to create a stunningly beautiful banner, four metres high and every centimetre celebrating the wonderful aspects of this not-so-common landscape. The design captures all the natural elements: a silver birch tree runs the length of the banner, pools and the network of paths are there. Iconic species such as the diminutive Dartford warbler and the adder feature, while the full colours of the heathland are shown off through the wild flowers and insects that flourish through the summer. At the centre of the banner is a pond with a frog and eggs, signifying life’s cycle.

BBOWT volunteer Lloyd Garvey helps families discover reptiles on Greenham Common Picture: Adrian Wallington

Wildlife banner on parade among the GreenhamWar and Peace banners Banner pictures: Mike Johnston

www.bbowt.org.uk/whats-on for events throughout September FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT LOCAL WILDLIFE EVENTS Wherever you are this summer, go wild with your local wildlife trust

Thank you Greenham Trust. In the last 20 years your generous support of BBOWT’s Living Landscape work helped to restore the heathlands at Greenham and Crookham Commons, enabling more wildlife to thrive there and more people to enjoy the landscape.

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