As part of our Claylands Wilder Connections Project we are running Citizen Science Campaigns. Each season we’re asking you to record your sightings of three species that make a home in the South Norfolk Claylands, to help us get a better picture of the areas that support these creatures and to help guide future conservation work.

Starlings, jays, and greenfinches are the next set of species to be selected because of their association with autumn and the species’ need for large areas of connected habitat here in South Norfolk.

You can share your sightings:

1) On our online Spotter Survey www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/wilderconnections

2) By emailing wild@norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk

3) By calling Sue Grime, Wilder Connections Engagement Officer, on 07393 807897.

We’ll need to know what you saw where and when.

Starlings are familiar birds of farmland, parkland, gardens and towns. Sociable birds, starlings spend a lot of their time in large flocks, roosting and performing sweeping, aerial displays – they can often be seen moving fluidly through a wintry sky. Large murmurations of up to 100,000 birds can be seen flying and roosting together, but they may not sound like starlings. They are great mimics and regularly include calls of other birds in their repertoire; they have also been recorded mimicking the sounds of mobile phones, wolf whistles and even domestic cats. We’d like to know when and where you’ve seen these birds whether it’s one or one thousand.

Since the 1980s starling populations have suffered dramatic declines – of around 66%, according to the British Trust for Ornithology. They are listed as Red under the Birds of Conservation Concern 4: the Red List for Birds (2021). They are protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 and are a Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework. The reason for this decline is unknown, but could be related to a lack of food. They like to eat invertebrates, more specifically those that live in the soil, such as worms and leatherjackets (crane fly/daddy long legs larvae) and it is possible that these species may have declined due to drier summers associated with the effects of global climate change and other factors that have created significant declines in insects, such as use of pesticides. The charity Buglife as part of its No insectinction campaign states that up to 41% of the worlds’ insect species could be lost in the next few decades. Butterflies, moths, bees, wasps and dung beetles are most at risk, along with freshwater insects such as stone flies, caddisflies and mayflies – all of which form a significant part of complex food webs.

Jays are surprisingly shy birds that also eat invertebrates, especially caterpillars and beetles, and are famous for enjoying acorns (and other nuts and fruits) during the autumn; they will also cache their finds for later. Jays are present all year-round, but are most obvious in autumn when they have to move about in the open more often, looking for food. They are classified in the UK as Green under the Birds of Conservation Concern 4: the Red List for Birds (2021), indicating that their population is currently stable. Threats that may impact on the population of jays include: loss of wooded habitat, persecution and poor acorn crops.

Due to their shyness, as well as enjoying habitats with lots of cover where they can hide, they are not common to spot. They have been selected for the autumn spotter survey due to the fact that they are a key species for the lifecycle of a woodland, they bury acorns during the autumn so they have winter stocks but they are often left forgotten in the ground. These forgotten are then left to grow, introducing new trees into the jays’ woodland habitat. We are also interested on how they are faring given the lack of acorns in 2021.

Through the Wilder Connections project we are introducing native hedgerow trees and improving woodlands to help the habitats where jays and other species live.

Greenfinches A common, large finch of gardens, parks, woodland and farmland, the greenfinch feeds on seeds, and will visit bird tables and feeders in gardens. In winter, they form flocks with other finches, and can be seen roaming the countryside and parklands for food. Despite the fact that they should be a common sight in gardens, they are classified in the UK as Red under the Birds of Conservation Concern 5: the Red List for Birds (2021), and protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981.

As the year moves towards its final months these birds will begin to flock together with other finches making them easier to spot in larger numbers. It is especially important for us to find out how many of these birds remain in Norfolk following a significant decline in numbers. Greenfinches have declined by 63% since the 1970s. The continued decline may be due more recently (2005) to an outbreak of a parasite-induced disease which prevents them from feeding properly, the disease is called Trichomonosis which can spread through shared food and water.

Greenfinches are becoming scarce in gardens all across Norfolk due to the spread of this devastating disease. So, we’d like to know where they are so we can try to boost numbers through habitat actions within the Wilder Connections project areas.

Update 15 June 2022

The National Grid consultation is closing on 16th June. If you have views you wish to express about a line of 50m pylons (one every 300m) passing 1 kilometer from the end of Top Row – you still have time, just. However, the closing date does not stop you from contacting those who may be interested to hear your views on this matter, such as:

• District Councillors – see here for contact details
• Norfolk County Councillor – see here for contact details
• Mr R Bacon, MP for South Norfolk – see here for contact details
• Leader of South Norfolk Council , John Fuller – see here for contact details
• OFGEM CEO – Jonathan Brearley
• Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy – Kwasi Kwarteng (Secretary of State); Sarah Munby (Permanent Secretary)

Update 26 May 2022

From Karen Fisher:

“You may be aware of a National Grid Proposal which they are calling “East Anglia Green” which is a proposal to take green energy generated by the wind farms on the North Norfolk Coast via 180kms of 50m tall steel pylons from Norwich to Tilbury in Essex. 

“National Grid have chosen their preferred route for the pylons and have only notified those who live very close to where they will be situated.  Therefore there may be many people who will live within sight of these hideous pylons without having any knowledge of the proposals and therefore no chance to make their views known.  National Grid are running a public consultation until the 16^th June asking for feedback on the proposals.

“I live in a village which will have these pylons put straight through the middle of it and although we accept the need for this energy to get to the southeast we believe that this should be done via undersea cables to protect the countryside for us all.

“To see how close your parish might be there is an ‘interactive map’ allowing you to zoom in to a particular part of the route available here. The interactive map is helpful providing that you can view it properly – it is really best viewed on a computer screen rather than a phone.

“Even if your parish is not close to this route we hope that you may be prepared to join us in the fight against this proposal by asking people local to you to sign the petition calling for these cables to be put under the sea rather than through the countryside which will destroy important habitats as well as the mental health of so many people.

“This is the link to the petition.

“There is also a Facebook campaign page covering Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex if anyone in your parish is interested in more information. The page may be found at – https://www.facebook.com/groups/718238339216424

“Additionally you can contact Martin Starkie who is one of the people spearheading the campaign at forncettpylons@btinternet.com

“Thank you for your time in reading this.  Any support to save our countryside will be welcome.”

Update 29 April

From Jacqui Fenn, Regional External Affairs Manager, National Grid

East Anglia GREEN is a proposal to build a new high voltage network reinforcement between Norwich, Bramford and Tilbury. While our existing high voltage electricity network in East Anglia has been sufficient until today, it doesn’t have the capability needed to reliably and securely transport all the energy that will be connected by 2030 while working to the required standards.  

The network reinforcement that East Anglia GREEN will provide would be achieved by the construction and operation of a new 400 kV electricity transmission line over a distance of approximately 180 km and a new 400 kV connection substation. 

The reinforcement would comprise mostly overhead line (including pylons and conductors – the ‘line’ part), underground cabling through the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), works at existing substations at Norwich, Bramford and Tilbury and a new 400 kV connection substation in the Tendring district.  

East Anglia GREEN will play a vital role in delivering electricity efficiently, reliably, and safely and will support the UK’s move to reduce carbon emissions. 

Consultation Events 

To support the consultation, we are holding a series of in-person events and online webinars. 

Public Information Events 

Visit one of our face to face public information events being held at the following locations across the proposed route to find out more and speak to experts within the team. 

Online webinars  

Attend an hour online webinar where we will present details of the proposals followed by an open Q&A. The briefings are either for the entire route or split by local authority. Visit our website to register.   

All information on the proposals, including an interactive map, all consultation materials and how to provide your feedback are available on our website.  Please visit nationalgrid.com/east-anglia-green. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the East Anglia GREEN Community Relations Team on +44 (0) 800 151 0992 and/or EastAngliaGREEN@nationalgrid.com

Original post

National Grid is planning a significant upgrade to the electricity power supply for the East Anglia Region. As you can see from the image in this post, the potential path for the pylons passes to the East of Top Row and as such we think that you should be aware of their proposals.

A consultation period is now open from 21 April to 16 June 2022 (their comment form is available here). There will be a public session in Mulbarton on 11 May from 1pm to 6.30 pm in the Village Hall. See the newsletter about the consultation process and other venues here.

A high-level document addressing the whole project is available here (58Mb) for download. An extract from this document covering our area can be found here (6Mb).

For more information about their plans for South Norfolk, you may wish to look at their website.

Nicky Allen, our current clerk, is off to pastures new with a full-time job and has to step down from the role of Clerk to Wreningham Parish Council. We are sorry to see her go but before she does she will be helping us find a new clerk. That could be you. The following is a vacancy notice to be posted with the Norfolk Association of Local Councils (NALC).

We hope to fill the post by the 11th July meeting as Nicky will be available at least until the end of July to hand over to the incoming clerk. If you’d like to apply, please contact me, Michael Hill (wrendriff@gmail.com) or Nicky (clerk.WPC@gmail.com)

​

Vacancy for Parish Clerk

& Responsible Financial Officer (RFO)

Wreningham is a small but lively parish near Wymondham. The Council has five Councillors and two councillor vacancies. We seek to appoint a person with administrative experience to be our Parish Clerk and RFO. The position is from early July 2022. The current clerk is available to effect a handover.

This is an important position for the Council and for the Village. It is a part-time (4.2 hours per week) and home-based role and supports the Parish Council in meeting its legal and financial obligations and the Councillors in their work for, and on behalf of, the parishioners of Wreningham.

The salary is an hourly rate based on a nationally agreed scale. The amount depends on the candidate’s past experience, training and qualifications. The Council will support such training as is required.

The applicant will:

• be self-motivated and organised,
• have relevant computer and office-based experience (a laptop is supplied by the Council),
• work closely with the Chair of the Council,
• have, or will be expected to obtain, the Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA)
• manage their workload appropriately in line with Council’s schedules and deadlines.

The Main duties include:

• Arranging, publicising and attending 6 Council meetings per annum. The meetings are on the 2nd Tuesday of odd numbered months from 7.30pm in Wreningham Village Hall.
• Preparing agendas, meeting documentation and writing minutes
• Being the Responsible Financial Officer and managing Council finances, preparing the annual budget, payment of invoices, monitoring the use of CIL, reclaiming VAT, arranging insurance, completing end of year accounts and managing the annual audit.
• Managing HMRC PAYE (Basic Tools) for the payment of salaries
• Maintaining Council files and records
• Monitoring and advising on relevant planning applications
• Attending to correspondence on a day-to-day basis
• Liaising with the Chair, District and County Councils, local organisations and the public as required
• Implementing the Council’s decisions and monitoring actions from the meetings
• Managing Council assets and arranging maintenance as appropriate
• Ensuring current legislation and procedures are adhered to by informing and advising the Council and updating Council policies, processes and risk assessments
• Being the Council’s Data Protection Officer
• Undertaking training as required.

For further information about the parish and the post, see our website (wreningham.org.uk) or contact the current Clerk, Nicky Allen:

The Birches, Top Row, Wreningham Norwich NR16 1AR
Tel: 01508 481986
E-mail: clerk.wpc@gmail.com 

To apply please send your CV and covering letter via email or post.

Closing date, Thursday 23^rd June 2022. Interviews will be held in early July.