BlackTom

  The BlackTom. For and about the community.

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Welcome to BlackTom.org, the community website for the area between
Park Road North, Tavistock Street, Foster Hill Road and Clarendon Street.

Hill Rise Nature Reserve

 

The Award Winning Hill Rise Nature Reserve is located behind Park Road North with access half way along on the North side. Grid Reference: TL 046 511.

Introduction
Hill Rise Local Nature Reserve (LNR) is a small area of land owned by Bedford Borough Council, it is managed jointly with local residents. Ten minutes walking distance from Bedford town centre, 2.2 acres in size; surrounded on three sides by residential housing; it still manages to support an abundance of wildlife including muntjac deer and foxes.

There are four key factors for the sustained success of our site:
A footpath on its eastern border forms part of the Clapham/Bedford wildlife corridor.
Good code of conduct and practical management.
Volunteers live on the perimeter allowing day to day policing that discourages vandalism and abuse.
Good working relationship with Bedford Borough Council.

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History
The land was originally bought for residential housing more than twenty four years ago. Planning permission was granted, but legal difficulties held up development. Left untouched for ten years it became overgrown and a dumping ground for rubbish.

In spring 1990, during National Environment Week, a local newspaper started a campaign to 'Clear up your neighbourhood'. That’s where it all began. The Council provided skips and thirty neighbours met to commence work.
This was when we discovered the true wildlife value. It was a haven.

That summer we launched our own campaign to turn the area into a Nature Reserve. We became a formidable lobbying group pressurising councillors by writing to them and inviting them to the site to see for themselves the wonders that where there. Six months later (November 1990) after considerable local press coverage, together with an 860-signature petition, 80 letters of support from residents and companies offering cash, goods and services, we went to the council and put forward our proposal. Thankfully influenced by pressure of public opinion, they designated the area for nature conservation. A committee was formed and we set to work.

Our Aims
To welcome visitors but create a safe haven for wildlife.
Involve local community in practical management.
Provide informative material for local schools and groups to encourage an understanding/appreciation of wildlife.

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Progress
Created two ponds, two meadows and an ornamental garden entrance area.
Planted 500+ trees and shrubs,1500 bulbs and installed a litterbin.
Erected fencing, ‘kissing’ gate at the entrance (extra wide for wheel chair access), bird/bat boxes,
information boards (including no dogs allowed), bird feeding station.
Approached local businesses for sponsorship.
Designed a trail booklet, leaflet, stationery, website (under construction).
Protected earthworks.
Natural History Reports: Yearly detailed report on butterflies (submitted to Butterfly Conservation and forming part of the National Butterfly Millennium Atlas), slide collection on full range of wildlife. Data provided for the National Phenology Network.
Built a photographic library and made various video recordings.
Released rescued juvenile hedgehogs.

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Achievements
1993 Winner of County Council Green Space Award.
1993 Winner of Barclays Bank Urban Life Award.
1998 Received LNR Status.
2006 Regional Community Group Winner for the BTCV Green Heroes Award.
2006 Green Pennant Award - Civic Trust (NATIONAL STANDARD FOR PARKS AND GREEN SPACES).
2007 Green Pennant Award - Civic Trust (NATIONAL STANDARD FOR PARKS AND GREEN SPACES).

'Hill Rise' today is well established and continues to flourish. Seventeen years later, local volunteers are still working hard to maintain it, ensuring its well being. It has brought our community together and given us all a sense of pride and privilege.
We would like to encourage other people to take pride in their area and get out to do something positive to help their local wildlife.

Shalaine Aldis.

 

Hill Rise will soon have its own website and a link will be placed here.