Down in the Dell 2018
Local Green Spaces Designation
In the autumn of 2018 we received an invitation from the Town Council to submit evidence for the value of the Dell as a "Local Green Space". This would enable the Dell to be included as such in the Neighbourhood Plan, thereby protecting its status in perpetuity. The document we submitted can be seen here. Many thanks to all those who helped to draw it up, and especially to those who wrote directly to the Town Council in support.
Family Bat Night – Thursday 6th
September
After a good run of warm
days a drop in temperature and a rainy afternoon did not augur well for the
Bat Night. However, the rain died away and eight families turned up to welcome
Naomi from Warwickshire Wildlife Trust. First the children were tested on their
knowledge of bats after they had followed the trail of information posted up around
the Dell. Various games illustrated the life of bats, including gathering as
many "mosquitoes" (coloured counters scattered around) as possible but running
the gauntlet of the "owl" and seeing the world upside down with a mirror placed
over their nose. The “bat and moth” game proved the most popular, as ever. At 8
p.m. as dusk set in the bats came out on cue, activating the bat detectors with
their ultra high-pitched sounds like pebbles rolling around a tin can. With
many thanks to Naomi for running a very successful evening and to all those who
came along.
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| Naomi, ably assisted by an aspiring pupil. |
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| Trying out the "upside down" mirror. |
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| Collecting "mosquitoes". | | | | |
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| Bat stalks moth. |
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| Who will win? |
Sunday 20th May
For the first time in many years the vagaries of the
meandering jet stream favoured the most
important national event of the weekend, not a royal wedding, not a football match but the 21st Dell Party. With warm weather,
little wind and no rain predicted, hundreds came to enjoy the bouncy castle,
the Punch and Judy show, the face painting and a good range of excellent live
music laid on by local bands Chris Gibbons, Funksters, Holy Molie, Midnight Blues Machine, Midweek, One
Trick Pony and the Sam Powell Blues Band. Our VIP visitors for the
afternoon were the Chair of Warwick District Council, Cllr. Stephen Cross with
his wife Cllr. Christine Cross, and the newly elected Town Mayor of Royal
Leamington Spa, Cllr. Heather Calver, who cut the first slice of our 21st
birthday cake kindly donated by Caking and Baking, whose new shop overlooks the
Dell.
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| The Town Mayor of Royal Leamington Spa, Cllr Heather Calver, cutting our 21st birthday cake while Rosie holds it steady. | | |
A now well established visitor is our Punch & Judy man, Professor (Mel) Harvey, who is also an accomplished magician. But not even with his magical powers was he able to wave his wand at the car parked inconsiderately on Beauchamp Hill partially blocking the entrance for most of the afternoon. All credit to Richard who guided Mel in his substantial Mercedes through an incredibly narrow gap at a speed of just over 0 mph so that he could arrive on time for his next assignment.
Many thanks to the volunteers who delivered flyers, organised
the music, helped set up in the morning, sold home made cakes, raffle tickets
and lemonade and generally made it all possible. Local sponsorship is always
much appreciated and this time included the Grove Practice, Haddie and Trilby,
Habano, Kang's Costcutter, News Plus of Regent Street, the Oddfellows, Rymans,
Salty Dog Crisps, the Star and Garter, Stonemonkey, Think Design and Print, and the Woodland Tavern. We are also supported by the Performing Rights Society (PPL/PRS for Music). Thanks also to WDC for repainting the children’s
play equipment and for mowing and strimming the grass. Above all our thanks are due to everyone who turned up in such record numbers, and whose generous donations will help us put on another party next year.
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| A packed Dell, viewed from Warwick Place. |
For pictures of the bands click here, and to find yourself click here.
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