NEWSLETTER APRIL 2006 -

IT’S A MITZVAH!

Winterton Dunes
Saturday, April 29th

Meet at 10.00 am in the car park, Beach Road, Winterton
1.30 pm lunch at the Fisherman's Return, Winterton

The Mitzvah Day we had at Winterton Dunes in October last year went so well we thought we’d have another one in the spring – to coincide with our Saturday morning cheder, singing and "Engaging with Judaism". Rabbi Rachel Benjamin and Harry will be joining us.

Winterton Dunes is a nature reserve by the sea. It is particularly important for natterjack toads. They are rare and sensitive creatures, which need heather for cover. The heathland is important in itself, as well as for other wild things. At Winterton there are nightjars and other birds, as well as other rare plants. We may even see barn owls and marsh harriers. It’s also a lovely place to walk.

Rhododendrons, having escaped from Somerton Hall estate next to the dunes, need controlling to prevent them taking over and wiping out the heather. As with many landed estates, rhododendrons were planted in great numbers. They are not now managed as well as in the early part of the last century, which is why they are now spilling over onto the dunes.

Keeping the rhododendrons down in some areas to help the heather is a long term project. A lot of work has been done over many years and there has been some success, but help is always needed. Weeding rhododendron seedlings in areas which have been cleared is an important task – to help the heather to regrow and keeping the rhododendrons down. It’s not strenuous.

We had a beautiful day last October. The weather was great. We did some good weeding, had a look over the sea, and had a lovely lunch. We again plan a similar day – weeding, shmoozing, lunch-time probably at the Fisherman’s Return afterward to refresh ourselves and more shmoozing.

The site is a little distance from Winterton village - about a ½ hour easy walk along the dunes. Some of us might want to take this pleasant walk and some to drive. That’s possible. We do look forward to seeing people of all ages. We also hope the weather is again kind to us.

For further information, please contact Sarah  at  ed_sarah@lycos.co.uk

(Sarah and her husband help to run a local conservation group: the Norfolk Conservation Corps. They have lots of experience and knowledge about health and safety issues, so there is no worry on that score. The day is being billed as a Norfolk Conservation Corps task, to provide public and personal liability. They will bring a first aid kit. Sarah assures me that there is nothing to worry about. Individuals do not have to be strong or skilled and, when working, can go at their own pace and strength. They will do a safety talk at the beginning of the day and be safety conscious throughout the session. Take a look at www.norfolkconservationcorps.org — Ed)