INFORMATION LEAFLETS

We currently have three leaflets available, “The Don Gorge”, “Visitors Guide” and “Walks from Warmsworth”, which can be downloaded from our own or the ‘Visit Doncaster’ website. However, we would like to expand our range by producing a series of information leaflets on particular topics. We would therefore be interested to hear from anyone who has expertise in, for example, trees, flowers, birds, geology, butterflies and moths, etc, who would be willing to provide information for such leaflets. All enquiries or offers should be made to the Secretary email: lizreeve@dongorgecommunitygroup.com Tel: 01302 313030

THE DON GORGE CALENDAR 2017

Our first calendar, in full colour and depicting aspects of the Don Gorge, will be available soon, complete with an envelope so that it can be posted to friends and relatives. Copies will cost £5 each, but orders may be placed in advance at the reduced price of £4. All enquiries or offers should be made to the Secretary email: lizreeve@dongorgecommunitygroup.com Tel: 01302 313030

RIVER DON HERITAGE WALK

You are invited to register for this walk. Please do so by emailing or texting as per the poster so that they know how many to expect. Many thanks.

FISHING TASTER DAY GREAT SUCCESS

The weathermen promised a mixed day and we certainly got more than we bargained for. Rain in the morning, rain at mid-day and an absolute deluge at closing time, when we ended up like drowned rats as we dismantled the gazebo. But it didn’t deter the youngsters. From 10 o’ clock, they were arriving to take the bait and throughout the day over 50 sat on their boxes with mums or dads in attendance, receiving instruction and dangling their lines in the canal in the hope of catching fish. Surprisingly, to me anyway, many did and were thrilled to do so, even if they were only small ones. The Canal & Rivers Trust were equally thrilled with the response, so I suppose we should look out for more of the same at some time. The start given us when the Co-op sponsored the clean-up near the fish pass has encouraged our volunteers so that anyone now looking over the bridge side will see the great strides that have been made in clearing the balsam. It will grow back of course, but we aim to keep on top of it throughout the summer and will see how successful we have been by the time the seeding period is over. Well done everyone who has helped so far. I have been quite despondent over the litter problem in the last few weeks. It seems to be everywhere. I have phoned the council twice to empty bins, which they have done, but it continues to be a problem throughout the gorge from the Sprotborough side all the way up the hairpin bend to Warmsworth. Signs of drug use have also been found on the car park, along with takeaway food cartons, etc, and reported to the police, who will be keeping an eye on the situation. Users beware! We have recently started a friends group so that we can share information about events which are taking place; anyone who would like their name adding to the list, please email me and I will do so. There is no cost involved, it is just a communication tool, so don’t be shy. On a personal note, our garden has recently been judged for Doncaster in Bloom; anyone who would like to look round may do so, either by ringing the doorbell or phoning in advance if there are more than two or three of you. Donations will be in aid of the Don Gorge Community Group. Liz Reeve Secretary, Don Gorge Community Group 4 Lower Sprotborough Tel: 01302 313030 Email: lizreeve@dongorgecommunitygroup.com Blog: http://dongorgecommunitygroup.blogspot.com

CO-OP CLEAN-UP DAY - SATURDAY 2 JULY 2016

A VERY BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO TURNED UP TO HELP WITH THE BALSAM BASHING YESTERDAY. Although we would obviously have liked more to have joined us, fifteen people did turn out in what started as good dry weather, but eventually turned into a bit of a wash-out, causing us to finish earlier than expected. However, we did have a small litter pick - thankfully not too much around this time - and made quite a good start with the balsam. Thank you also to Dot and Mike Miller and Darren Alexander from the Co-op for providing goody bags, equipment and physical labour throughout the event. Anyone who would like to help with trying to get rid of this invasive plant at any time is welcome to pull a bit out as they enjoy a walk in the area of the fish pass - or anywhere else for that matter. It generally pulls out quite easily and can be left on the ground to rot away. I attach a photo so that those less knowing will be able to identify it. If it gets to the flowering stage, as shown in the photo, it throws out thousands of seeds, all of which are likely to grow the following year.

Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is a relative of the busy Lizzie, but reaches well over head height, and is a major weed problem, especially on riverbanks and waste land, but can also invade gardens. It grows rapidly and spreads quickly, smothering other vegetation as it goes.

FRIENDS OF THE DON GORGE

We now have a Friends group. Prior to the Tour de Yorkshire, quite a number of people signed up as volunteers to help in any way they could. Thirty-three of them turned out to help with the 'Clean for the Queen' event and 2.88 tons of rubbish was weighed in at the end of it. Since then, we have been asked by the Co-op if we would like to join in their 'Big Clean-Up' fortnight and have taken the opportunity to carry on the good work with an event on Saturday 2 July, which will be just right in preparation for the 'Don Gorge Goes Fishing Activity Day' which is being arranged for Friday 29 July. This event is being organised by the Canal & River Trust in conjunction with Derby & District Angling Association, Warmsworth Parish Council and ourselves and is aimed at family and schoolchildren, to give them information about the fish in the River Don and to have a go at fishing. Let's hope both days are full of sunshine and fun!

However, the FRIENDS group is not all about being involved physically. Some are not able to do so for a variety of reasons, but we welcome them as people interested in the work we are trying to do and who will spread the word for us and tell others about us and events we might be running. We now have about 60 people signed up and would like many more, so please feel free to join us. All I need is your name and contact details, eg address, telephone no, email address. An email address is esssential, however, as it is the main way of communicating. My email is lizreeve@dongorgecommunitygroup.com

COPLEY PUMP INTERPRETATION SIGN

The ruins of the Copley Pump near the Lock now have an interpretation sign explaining their history. This has been provided by Sprotbrough Preservation Association, so we offer our thanks to them. Our Conservation Volunteers erected it, so thanks to them too.