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News & Events

The Art of the Possible

Regular observers of the King's Lynn scene will be well aware of the main reason for the borough council's ambitious marina plan. It was explained, tirelessly by the supporters of the plan that only a very large, purpose-built marina was possible. No other form would work. In particular would no form of pontoon system, as so successfully established at Wisbech, work. (The reason for this argument, possibly, was simply that it did work at Wisbech).

How times change.

The Lynn News and the EDP report (July 20) that the borough is now considering the use of pontoons which it already owns as moorings off the South Quay for visiting pleasure craft. This has been forced upon the city fathers by the current economic circumstances which have left the marina plan far out in the long grass and expected to remain there for the foreseeable future.

HPCA. among others, suggested that a pontoon marina was worth trying long, long ago in the early days of the marina debate. The idea was rejected out of hand — quite impossible, wouldn't work, wouldn't be acceptable and above all it was insufficiently ambitious. Pontoons did not sing or dance and there was no place for bells upon them.

No one ever suggested that pontoons were sure to work, merely that they were worth trying on an experimental basis. And, of course, if they did work, they could be extended pretty well infinitely if the business grew. Just like Wisbech.

Well, the impossible now having become the possible, it will be interesting to see if a pontoon-based marina will work for Lynn, with all the promised goodies that will flow as a result. The goodies may also be a little uncertain but one thing's for sure — it won't cost the town £30 million quid.

Flower Walk

Our plant walk on the Green in mid-July started in a downpour which broke the eight week drought in King's Lynn. We were very glad to see the rain for the Green is a very dry site but we were beginning to wish that it had hung on for an hour or two longer. Then the sky cleared, a double rainbow sprang up across the Friars and South Lynn and walk leader Robin Stevenson guided his followers on another exploration of the multitude of grasses and wild flowers which grow on the Green.

An hour's walk was followed by just about the same period with a glass of wine and a good deal of chat and HPCA funds benefited to the tune of £67 which should nicely cover this year's diesel bill.

Thanks to Robin for sharing his expertise, Sally for the cheese straws and brownies, and to the 20 or so people who turned out to make it a very enjoyable evening.

Look out for our next bird walk which we expect will be one Sunday morning in October.

Report on Bird Walk — 27th June

Sunday 27th June 2010 08:00

About 12 of us had a leisurely stroll across Harding's Pits looking at the various birds. No amazing rarities but those of us who were there early witness some spectacular aerobatics with a common tern 'mobbing' a kestrel, which must have won as it returned and was seen hunting over the pits later. We were also distracted by the plant and insect life on the wildflower meadow so goodness knows what else we missed. The morning was rounded off with bacon rolls and coffee. A repeat will be organised for the autumn (although I can't promise such great weather!). A full list of the 25 bird species seen:

• Kestrel
• Common Tern
• Black-Headed Gull
• Common Gull
• Herring Gull
• Lesser Black-backed Gull
• Mallard
• Cormorant
• Collared Dove
• Woodpigeon
• Magpie
• Blackbird
• Dunnock
• Starling
• House Sparrow
• Greenfinch
• Chaffinch
• Goldfinch
• Linnett
• Whitethroat
• Reed Warbler
• Chiffchaff
• Blue Tit
• Great Spotted Woodpecker
• Swift
• We also heard Skylark and Willow Warbler

Minutes from AGM

Draft minutes from AGM held on the 10th June 2010

Epitaph for a pest

Pestiferous little motorbikes — some call them mini-motos — are a bane on Harding's Pits as soon as the fine weather comes. They are dangerous to life and limb (usually that of some innocent walker), noisy and damaging to our paths. Their riders are also very difficult to catch because more often than not they have no licence plates, or licences come to that.

So it was most satisfying to learn from the Eastern Daily Press (8th June) that two 'yoofs' aged 18 and 20 were pinched in King's Lynn the othr day for riding on the pavement and each was fined £200. In addition, and even more satisfying, was that one of the machines was to be destroyed. Sadly, the other was to be returned to its owner (why?) and was awaiting collection but at least it would be costing him £12 a day in storage charges.

The offences happened up at Reffley, where the miscreants were caught by patrolling policemen who, according to the EDP story, had been sent out to deal with reports of anti-social behaviour. So it was to an extent happenstance that these particular nuisances were caught.

Our experience on the Pits is that by the time illegal motorcycling is reported and the police have reacted the pests are long gone. As a result it is understandable that although many people are annoyed by the behaviour of these nuisances, most just shrug and ignore them. Unfortunately a lack of reports leads the police to believe that there is no serious problem.

So if you do see or hear motorcyclists on the Green — and the chances are that at some time this summer you will — and you have a mobile phone, ring 01553-691211.

This will get you the switchboard at the Wymondham (!) HQ, usually almost at once, and you will be put through to the control room ('We are experiencing a large number of calls… Your call is important to us…') and if you are determined enough you will eventually get through ('Where's Harding's Pits?… Have you got a post code?… Where's King's Lynn?… [only joking]). The miscreants will have departed of course but at least your report will have to be logged and when Harding's Pits appears often enough in the logs a visit from the police may follow.

King's Lynn Without Incineration — Public meeting

A public meeting has been arranged to discuss Norfolk County Council's proposed PFI waste-to-energy contract for a municipal solid waste incinerator to be built at the Willows Business Park, Saddlebow. The meeting will give you the opportunity to hear all sides and allow you the chance to ask your questions. The meeting is to be held at the Methodist Church, London Road, King's Lynn, PE30 5PY on 18th June commencing at 8pm and ending 10pm.

The meeting will be chaired by Dr Ian Gibson and the confirmed speakers are as follows:

• Mr Joel Hull, Project Director for Residual Waste Services, NCC
• Mr Jon Beresford, Nottingham Against Incineration and Landfill
• Mr Henry Bellingham MP
• Cllr Paul Burall
• Further speakers are to be confirmed

Members of the press will be invited to cover the event.
The format is: A short introduction. Mr Hull and Mr Beresford will then be allowed up to 20 minutes each to give their presentations for and against the proposal. The remaining panellists should be given approximately 5 minutes to present their views. Each panellist, in turn, can then have an opportunity to cross examine any of the other panellists for up to 5 minutes. Members of the press will then be invited to ask their questions publicly. The meeting will then close with up to 25 minutes of questions from the audience. Times may have to be adjusted slightly depending upon the number of speakers attending.

Documentation provided by KLWIN

Spring on the Pits

Spring has arrived at Harding's Pits and the first of our wild flowers, the cowslips, are now in full bloom on the flower meadow.

The good weather also brought out our valiant crew of volunteers, seen here clearing the paths of the rampant bramble growth and enjoying a well earned break.

Harding's Pits Bird List 2009

Poor weather and family commitments meant I had less time available for bird watching during 2009. I did, however get a good tally of species (86) on the times I was able to get out, with some notable 'firsts' for the pits at the very end of 2009. The extreme cold brought good views of a Brambling, Water Rail and a couple of Snipe (although it is likely that they have been there before, just that I've not seen them!). A Short-Eared Owl has been a regular visitor in the early morning, too.

On the other had, some birds have been noticeable by their absence, in particular the Pheasants (probably foxes) and Yellowhammer. Let's hope they'll be back this year.

As before, for the purposes of the list, I've recorded all birds seen in the area bounded by the rivers Nar and Great Ouse, Wisbech Road and the top end of Winfarthing Field

Just to get 2010 off to a good start I got good views of a Yellow-Browed Warbler in early February. This is a fairly rare Siberian vagrant, which occasionally over-winters in the UK. Given the weather conditions at the time it was probably feeling very at-home!

The full list for the year is:

(B) — nesting on Hardings Pits     (B*) — has nested in the past.
(B?) — possibly breeding     (O) — seen flying over at height.

Little Grebe
Great Crested Grebe
Cormorant
Grey Heron
Glossy Ibis (O)! (3 seen earlier at Welney)
Little Egret
Mute Swan (B*)
Greylag Goose
Canada Goose
Shelduck (B*)
Mallard (B*)
Eider
Red-Breasted Merganser
Marsh Harrier
Red Kite (O)
Common Buzzard (O)
Sparrowhawk
Kestrel
Hobby
Peregrine
Water Rail
Moorhen (B)
Coot
Oystercatcher
Ringed Plover
Grey Plover
Golden Plover
Lapwing (B?)
Turnstone
Dunlin
Common Sandpiper
Redshank (B*)
Bar-Tailed Godwit
Snipe
Curlew
Black-Headed Gull
Common Gull
Herring Gull
Yellow-Legged Gull
Lesser Black-Backed Gull
Great Black-Backed Gull
Common Tern
Wood Pigeon (B)
Stock Dove
Collared Dove (B)
Cuckoo
Short-Eared Owl
Barn Owl
Swift
Kingfisher (B?)
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Skylark
Swallow
House Martin (B)
Meadow Pipit (B)
Pied Wagtail
Yellow Wagtail
Grey Wagtail
Wren (B)
Dunnock (B)
Robin (B)
Stonechat
Song Thrush (B)
Mistle Thrush (B*)
Redwing
Fieldfare
Blackbird (B)
Blackcap (B)
Whitethroat (B)
Sedge Warbler (B)
Reed Warbler (B)
Willow Warbler (B)
Chiffchaff (B)
Goldcrest (B?)
Great Tit (B)
Blue Tit (B)
Long-Tailed Tit (B)
Magpie (B)
Jay (B?)
Jackdaw
Rook
Carrion Crow
Starling
House Sparrow (B)
Chaffinch (B)
Linnet (B)
Redpoll
Goldfinch (B)
Greenfinch (B)
Reed Bunting (B?)

This year I am started to keep more detailed records of bird numbers. It will be interesting to see if the construction of the new road has much effect.

Rob Archer — March 2010