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Forncett Nature Matters: Connecting Nature in the Forncetts

Our vision is to:

  • Provide spaces in which wildlife can flourish.
  • Form wildlife corridors linking habitats to benefit pollinators and other creatures.
  • To do this by restoring or creating habitats in gardens, hedges, ditches, field and roadside verges.
  • Encourage local people to join us in order to collectively improve conditions for the wide and diverse range of wildflowers, insects and other mini-beasts, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals that exist alongside us in the Forncetts.

The impetus for the new group came from the Earth Matters team, a group of writers and ‘amateur’ naturalists/environmentalists/gardeners, whose articles appear in the  Forncett Flyer:  Billy Hosea, Christina Wakeford, Ally Rae, Rosemary Horner and Claire Jordan. This group of five formed the original steering group for FNM, and we were soon joined by Carol Sharp and Judy Thomas.

We consulted Norfolk Wildlife Trust and have had excellent support and training from them. They are our go-to people for expert advice. We also have some very knowledgeable people in the village and hope they will allow us to draw on their expertise.

2021.07.22.Road verge survey training Photo A Rae 1smRoadside verge plant survey training with NWT. Photo: A Rae

 Now we want to spread our wings throughout Forncett, possibly into neighbouring parishes, and certainly up and down the river.

We aim to put nature lovers, wildlife-friendly gardeners/farmers in touch with one another, to form a collaborative network which we hope will be reflected in improved connectivity creating ‘green corridors’ of wildlife habitats wherever possible. There are already many villagers who garden with wildlife in mind; whatever the size of garden anyone can do their bit to protect our natural heritage; if you’re not sure how to make a start you’ll get plenty of support. By adding together our individual contributions we can make big changes!

 

Meet the Steering Group

    Billy Hosea

 

 

 

 

 

Billy Hosea: I live in Forncett St Mary. I like gardening with patches left to grow wild. Hawk moths come to feed on the bindweed flowers     and peacock butterflies lay their eggs on the nettles.


Claire Jordan 4crop sm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Claire Jordan: I have lived in Norfolk for 43 years.  I have tried to make my garden a space where mixed habitats allow nature to flourish.  I have always gardened organically and encouraged pollinators.

 

Jo Marsden 2023 sm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jo Marsden: I moved to Hapton in 2020, where I’m trying to establish a variety of garden habitats to encourage wildlife, starting with ponds, dead hedges and wilder areas.  I’m now focusing on planting native species wherever possible. Joining Forncett Nature Matters has put me in touch with people who have the same goals and interests.

 

Ally portrait1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ally Rae: I want other creatures and plants to share the space we humans use and knowing that together we can make a difference is inspiring. My partner and I created a wildlife-friendly plot on the Forncett boundary about 12 years ago and look foward to linking it to other habitats.


Carol Sharp1 sm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carol Sharp: I have lived in Forncett End for 26 years and have created woodland and wildflower meadows as well as a large pond. I hope to share my experience, inspire and learn more from others in the community to create resilient ecosystems our villages.


Christina Wakeford

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Christina Wakeford: I’ve been interested in the natural world since childhood and I now love to garden with wildlife in mind, trying to do my bit for biodiversity. Living in Forncett since 1982, I’ve planted trees and hedges, a wildflower meadow and made habitats of ‘dead hedges’ and a small pond. I’m looking forward to meeting like minded people through FNM.


 

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