If you arrived at 'Wyenot News' this week by first going to the 'Wyenot' home page, you may have noticed that I have added a fourth row of buttons, which includes a button leading to the new 'Live Webcams' page. This is the first time I have made such a major change to the 'Wyenot' home page in a long while.

The first webcam to go live on this new page is an image, updated every 15 seconds of the River Wye at Wilton and is kindly provided by Dave and Jacqui of the White Lion Inn. There is at least one more webcam in the pipeline and the live webcam page will grow.

I know from past experience that this live webcam image of the beautiful river scene with Ross in the background will be a massive boost to local tourism and will help everybody. It will also be a useful tool for visitors, who will be able to see what the weather is like in Ross before leaving home - and for those who need to check river levels.

The current camera is working fine but it is still in its final testing stages at this end, so please bear with me while the way in which it is presented is fine tuned. To save you going to the home page of Wyenot to find it, there is a link to the new camera below. Click the picture below and the live image will open in a 'pop-up' window. If you get a black screen at any stage, this simply means that the server is busy. All you need to do is wait 15 seconds for the refresh.

What is the wild connection between the sculpture being created outside Ross swimming pool and Lea and Pagets Wood Nature Reserve? Whilst Herefordshire Nature Trust were cutting this years coppice coup at Lea and Pagets, one of the oaks that had to be felled was substantial enough to warrant a new life. It is now taking the form of a sculpture as part of the Ross Wild Connections work to the area outside swimming pool. So Ross is now going to benefit from the felling as well as the butterflies of Lea and Pagets Wood.

Tom Harvey, who created the sculpture of peregrine falcons at Symonds Yat, inspired by the Wild Connections Walk is working on the piece until Friday, 18th April for those who want to come and see the work in progress. Over the last year Ross Wild Connection volunteers have also turned their hands to a bit of coppicing.

Continued . . .

The northern end of the Town and Country Trail has had some tender loving care, giving old coppice stools a new lease of life, creating a new playground for insects and birds. With the help of Herefordshire Council and students from John Kyrle High School the rubble and waste has been removed from the entrance of the trail and the ground is now seeded with a wild flower mix to bring some welcome colour.

A lesser known haven for wildlife can be found at Wilton car park. A neglected area collecting litter, this corner deserves the help of caring hands. Wilton pond is tucked behind the skateboard park at the base of the woods which rise to the red sandstone cliffs (home to garden chervil since 1865). Stalwart volunteers have been quietly working away at the pond clearing rubbish and invading trees. Sticklebacks and minnows with a taste for small amphibians are brought in by the flood water and these are kept in check by the pond drying out in warmer months. In addition the management of trees around the pond will help it retain water for longer to give further support to the pond life and our amphibian friends.

Continued . . .

The project's quest to link these little havens with a wildlife walk continues. In the past year people have enjoyed the bats, the bugs and walks of the sites. The volunteers have enjoyed the camaraderie and fresh air. Over the coming months the project will produce information leaflets and education material to help everyone go outside and enjoy the wildlife around Ross on Wye. We welcome anyone or any group who would like to come and help with the landscaping around the new sculpture. Contact Jessica Blake 01432 356872.

The 'Ross Wild Connections' project has been has been made possible through funding by Biffaward, a multi-million pound environment fund managed by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts. It is also supported by Defra's Sustainable Development Fund administered by the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Unit.

cRoss Ramblers Association, along with the council and the two local doctors' surgeries launched a series of Walks for Health on Saturday afternoon.

A good number of people, many of them councillors turned up to take part in one of the more leisurely walks, which were officially launched by Ross Town Mayor, Councillor Derek Bedford. Mayor Bedford regretted that he was unable to take part in the walk itself, joking he had enough trouble walking when he had only two legs and has even more trouble now that he has three. (The third being his walking stick).

A booklet with details of walks of differring lengths and difficulty has been published and are aimed at encouraging people to exercise. The Booklets are available from Ross Ramblers Association and both the Alton Street and Pendeen surgeries.

We spoke to Sam Philips of Ross Ramblers about the walks before the group set off. You can see more ofteh launch in this week's WNTV NEWS programme.

Sam would like to thank Mike Johnson of Ross Cider and Perry Company for producing the booklets as well as for letting them use a brand new tractor battery that he hadn't even seen yet, to power the PA, which was provided by Councillor Phil Cutter.

Dave and Jacqui Newman would like to welcome you to the White Lion 16th Century Riverside Inn. Situated right on the banks of the River Wye at Ross, the White Lion is a picturesque local inn with an interesting history and is noted for its spectacular river views. The White Lion has long been a favourite place to relax by both local people and tourists alike.

The White Lion's extensive and picturesque gardens reach right down to the river's edge and are a wonderful place to enjoy views of the river. It is a great spot to watch the local otters, nesting swans and other wildlife.

Accommodation

Log Fire

Old Gaol Restaurant

Meals served every lunch time
and evening in the bar and restaurant

CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2008

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