The next meeting will take place on
Thursday September 20th 2018 at 7.30 pm
Gresford Trust Memorial Hall
This year's SCARECROW TRAIL is now finalised. People have some great ideas for their scarecrows - theme this year is FAIRY TALES AND NURSERY RHYME CHARACTERS.
The trail begins 18th August until 1st September.
Get your entry forms at the Gresford Spar, Marford Co-Op,
Gresford Newsagents and the Gresford and District Community Library.
All the scarecrows will be brought together for a Scarecrow Tea and the prize-giving on 8th September at 2pm at Allington Park, High Street Gresford. Ladies of Gresford WI will be catering in the Scout Hut. So do come along for afternoon tea!
The trail begins 18th August until 1st September.
Get your entry forms at the Gresford Spar, Marford Co-Op,
Gresford Newsagents and the Gresford and District Community Library.
All the scarecrows will be brought together for a Scarecrow Tea and the prize-giving on 8th September at 2pm at Allington Park, High Street Gresford. Ladies of Gresford WI will be catering in the Scout Hut. So do come along for afternoon tea!
Planters and flower beds
This hot summer is providing a huge challenge to IMAGE which has worked hard to improve the environment by planting trees and replacing old planters with new.
These need to be watered and protected. It has not been possible to save some plants and trees from the incessant heat and one shrub by the noticeboard has been attacked by vine weevils.
We simply don't have enough people to cope with the extreme demands of the conditions of this summer.
This has been discussed over the last two or three months and unless we can recruit more active volunteers, we will need to sub-contract the tasks and will need funding via the Community Council to do so. Failing this support, the environment will certainly be less attractive in future.
Can anybody help? We need people willing to plant, weed and water. Please contact our secretary Barbara Watson on barbingledene@gmail.com
This hot summer is providing a huge challenge to IMAGE which has worked hard to improve the environment by planting trees and replacing old planters with new.
These need to be watered and protected. It has not been possible to save some plants and trees from the incessant heat and one shrub by the noticeboard has been attacked by vine weevils.
We simply don't have enough people to cope with the extreme demands of the conditions of this summer.
This has been discussed over the last two or three months and unless we can recruit more active volunteers, we will need to sub-contract the tasks and will need funding via the Community Council to do so. Failing this support, the environment will certainly be less attractive in future.
Can anybody help? We need people willing to plant, weed and water. Please contact our secretary Barbara Watson on barbingledene@gmail.com
MORE TREES PLANTED SPRING 2018
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MORE NEW TUBS IN THE VILLAGE
Two more tubs have been purchased with the proceeds from this year's Scarecrow Trail. We instated them in November.
Would you be willing to adopt a tub?
There are several tubs around Gresford that IMAGE looks after. Would you help us out by adopting one? All you need to do is keep it tidy and watered. Please contact us via the website if you can help.
There are several tubs around Gresford that IMAGE looks after. Would you help us out by adopting one? All you need to do is keep it tidy and watered. Please contact us via the website if you can help.
MORE TREES AND FLOWERS IN GRESFORD!
Thanks to grants from Gresford Community Council, Keep Wales Tidy and our fundraising in the village, we have ,established a resting place, two more trees and bedding plants in an eye-catching feature by the notice board. We hope you like it!
Special thanks to Elton Watson, Senior Tree Officer, WCBC,
Special thanks to Elton Watson, Senior Tree Officer, WCBC,
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HAVE YOU NOTICED THE NEW TREES AROUND THE VILLAGE? THANKS to a grant from Keep Wales Tidy, we were able to purchase 8 more trees. WCBC also replaced 3 trees - one was damaged deliberately, the other two just didn't thrive. All the trees are pollinator friendly and will provide more colour in the area in which they are planted. Thank you to WCBC for planting them for us free of charge! |
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20th November was a proud night for IMAGE when many people including Ian Lucas MP and Lesley Griffiths AM gathered at The Gresford Trust memorial hall for the annual awards from the Wrexham Area Civic Society.
The restoration of the Victorian Drinking fountain was awarded first prize in the category of Landscape and Environmental Improvement!
Margaret Heaton and her husband Bob were architects and managers of the project. Margaret is pictured here receiving the award from Cllr Michael Morris.
(full story of fountain can be read on its own page on this website)
The restoration of the Victorian Drinking fountain was awarded first prize in the category of Landscape and Environmental Improvement!
Margaret Heaton and her husband Bob were architects and managers of the project. Margaret is pictured here receiving the award from Cllr Michael Morris.
(full story of fountain can be read on its own page on this website)
IMAGE receives £458 grant from Keep Wales Tidy. It will be used for tree-planting in the new year.
Thanks to IMAGE members, we can now see where we enter Marford from the direction of Rossett. The sign was completely concealed by overgrown hedging. It is now visible again!
Feeding or dumping?
This is just a few of many mouldy burger buns seen floating on the lake , 29th June.
Dumping bread in large amounts is not good for the ducks or anything else. There are real concerns about over- feeding the ducks , not least because it is encouraging rats....
Many of us got our first personal interactions with avian wildlife by feeding ducks at local parks or urban ponds, and knowing what to feed ducks can help provide the birds with a healthy diet so future generations can enjoy this activity safely for themselves and for the birds they want to feed.
There are many bird feeding myths related to ducks, including the idea that feeding the birds will inhibit their migration. In truth, many waterfowl species are year-round residents of city parks and similar habitats, and they will remain there whether or not they are hand fed.
Too much feeding, on the other hand, is unhealthy for the birds and can create excess waste and pollution that can destroy waterfowl habitats, while leftover, uneaten food can attract rodents and foster disease. Birds that are fed too often can also become aggressive and may become a nuisance if they overpopulate a small area.
It is important to realise that waterfowl are capable of fending for themselves and do not require human handouts to survive, no matter what the season nor how much they may seem to beg for treats. Individuals who do want to feed the ducks, however, can do so by offering nutritious treats to supplement the birds’ wild diet.
What Not to Feed Ducks
The most common items fed to ducks and waterfowl are also the least nutritious and most unhealthy: bread, chips, crackers, popcorn and similar bread-type products and scraps.
Feeding ducks bread is bad because the food has little nutritional value and can harm ducklings’ growth, pollute waterways and attract rodents and other pests. Similarly, ducks should not be fed any products that are spoiled or moldy; different types of mold can be fatal to waterfowl. Fortunately, there are many other types of food that can be offered to ducks, geese and swans as part of a healthy and nutritious diet.
Good Foods for Ducks
The best foods for ducks are those that provide the nutrients, minerals and vitamins the birds need for healthy growth and development. Many of these foods are similar to the natural seeds, grains and plants the birds will forage on their own. As omnivorous birds, ducks will eat a great deal of different foods, and the best foods to offer ducks include:
Cracked corn
Wheat, barley or similar grains
Oats (uncooked; rolled or quick)
Rice (cooked or uncooked)
Milo
Birdseed (any type or mix)
Grapes (cut in half)
Frozen peas or corn (defrosted, no need to cook)
Earthworms
Mealworms (fresh or dried)
Chopped lettuce or other greens or salad mixes
Vegetable trimmings or peels (chopped)
Duck feed pellets or poultry starter pellets are another great option, and they can be purchased from farming or agricultural supply stores.
Tips for Feeding Ducks
If you do choose to feed ducks and waterfowl at local ponds occasionally, the best tactic is to visit rarely so the birds are not getting excess food that would be unhealthy for them or their environment. Other tips for feeding ducks, geese and swans include:
Stop feeding if the birds appear uninterested or are leaving the food uneaten, and avoid feeding the birds if other visitors are already offering treats.
No matter what foods you provide, only offer foods in bite-sized pieces the birds can easily consume without choking or struggling.
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Dumping bread in large amounts is not good for the ducks or anything else. There are real concerns about over- feeding the ducks , not least because it is encouraging rats....
Many of us got our first personal interactions with avian wildlife by feeding ducks at local parks or urban ponds, and knowing what to feed ducks can help provide the birds with a healthy diet so future generations can enjoy this activity safely for themselves and for the birds they want to feed.
There are many bird feeding myths related to ducks, including the idea that feeding the birds will inhibit their migration. In truth, many waterfowl species are year-round residents of city parks and similar habitats, and they will remain there whether or not they are hand fed.
Too much feeding, on the other hand, is unhealthy for the birds and can create excess waste and pollution that can destroy waterfowl habitats, while leftover, uneaten food can attract rodents and foster disease. Birds that are fed too often can also become aggressive and may become a nuisance if they overpopulate a small area.
It is important to realise that waterfowl are capable of fending for themselves and do not require human handouts to survive, no matter what the season nor how much they may seem to beg for treats. Individuals who do want to feed the ducks, however, can do so by offering nutritious treats to supplement the birds’ wild diet.
What Not to Feed Ducks
The most common items fed to ducks and waterfowl are also the least nutritious and most unhealthy: bread, chips, crackers, popcorn and similar bread-type products and scraps.
Feeding ducks bread is bad because the food has little nutritional value and can harm ducklings’ growth, pollute waterways and attract rodents and other pests. Similarly, ducks should not be fed any products that are spoiled or moldy; different types of mold can be fatal to waterfowl. Fortunately, there are many other types of food that can be offered to ducks, geese and swans as part of a healthy and nutritious diet.
Good Foods for Ducks
The best foods for ducks are those that provide the nutrients, minerals and vitamins the birds need for healthy growth and development. Many of these foods are similar to the natural seeds, grains and plants the birds will forage on their own. As omnivorous birds, ducks will eat a great deal of different foods, and the best foods to offer ducks include:
Cracked corn
Wheat, barley or similar grains
Oats (uncooked; rolled or quick)
Rice (cooked or uncooked)
Milo
Birdseed (any type or mix)
Grapes (cut in half)
Frozen peas or corn (defrosted, no need to cook)
Earthworms
Mealworms (fresh or dried)
Chopped lettuce or other greens or salad mixes
Vegetable trimmings or peels (chopped)
Duck feed pellets or poultry starter pellets are another great option, and they can be purchased from farming or agricultural supply stores.
Tips for Feeding Ducks
If you do choose to feed ducks and waterfowl at local ponds occasionally, the best tactic is to visit rarely so the birds are not getting excess food that would be unhealthy for them or their environment. Other tips for feeding ducks, geese and swans include:
Stop feeding if the birds appear uninterested or are leaving the food uneaten, and avoid feeding the birds if other visitors are already offering treats.
No matter what foods you provide, only offer foods in bite-sized pieces the birds can easily consume without choking or struggling.
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Volunteers working to improve where we live.