Big threat to Green Corridor

Two conferences were held in April and July concerning the future growth of Ashford, based on the premise that 31,000 houses need to be built and 29,000 jobs created between 2001 and 2031. People expressed a desire for a compact form of growth. This essentially means higher density development in the town. However, to accommodate all 31,000 houses development will have to cover much of the surrounding countryside as well. There is a danger of losing vital green corridors in the town if development is given the go ahead. One of the key Green Corridors threatened, even though it is in the floodplain, is South Willesborough Dykes Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI). This site is important for water violet, marsh stitchwort (the only site in Kent where this plant is found), wading birds, many species of dragonfly, and is likely to have otter and water vole. The area, with management, could also provide a valuable green corridor for people to walk and cycle through if it could be released from owners hoping to develop.

Students, children and the general public took part in a photography competition to celebrate the diversity of the Ashford Green Corridor. South Willesborough and Newtown Environment Group helped to organise the competition and chose three categories - people, wildlife and nature, and landscapes. As part of the project, local photographer, Laura Thomas organised a phototrail in part of the Green Corridor for Instant Muscle, a group of entry to employment students based in the town centre, and 1^st Great Chart beavers. Prizes for the competition were provided by Snappy Snaps and Andrews Photography. The winning pictures were published in the Kentish Express and displayed in the town centre and the Swan Centre, Newtown.

A new pond has been created on part of the Ashford Green Corridor Local Nature Reserve adjacent to the River Great Stour. 1^st Great Chart beavers have adopted the new pond as it is close to their hut and within easy walking distance. They have been busy planting the pond up with plants commonly found around pond edges and plan to revisit the pond later in the year to see the benefits of all their hard work. As part of the project they visited an established pond at Buxford Meadow to learn about the pond life and carried out some river dipping on the Great Stour. Plans are afoot to excavate another pond near Great Chart!

Children from the Phoenix School breakfast club joined forces with the Ashford YMCA, Stour Valley Arts and Green Corridor Officer to create a Giant Green Corridor jigsaw puzzle. The giant work of art shows the wealth of wildlife found in the town, along its rivers and in parks and gardens. The children worked really hard on the project and were keen to show the rest of the school their arty efforts by giving an assembly and displaying the puzzle in the school hall. The puzzle was also displayed in the Stour Centre Leisure Centre for all to admire (and play with!).

Art workshops have been taking place with the Whole Hog Art Company and have included making minibeasts, bats and dragonflies. The Ashford Girls Brigade rounded off their year of events with a visit to Buxford Meadow to learn about river wildlife and took part in a workshop making crayfish. The 6^th Ashford Beavers kicked off the programme of art workshops by working with local artist Nikki Dennington making charcoal prints using natural materials. Nikki and Rosemary also worked with the Ashford YMCA and young asylum seekers from the Finding Your Feet programme based in Ashford on a series of art workshops.