CHAIR'S REPORT 2023
(Presented to the AGM held on January 29th 2023; covering the year 2022)It was unfortunate that we had to cancel the first event of 2022, this was the Bird Song Walk in April, however other events did take place.
The Picnic in the Park event in June was very enjoyable. A group sat by the lake watching the wildlife there whilst enjoying a picnic, a pleasant way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
This was followed in July by the Moth and Stargazing evening. The Wickford Wildlife Society organised the second Moth & Stargazing night held in the Wick Country Park, a joint event with the Friends of the Wick Country Park. Another one is scheduled for June this year and will involve setting out lights to attract the moths and have telescopes available if we get a clear sky.
The Bat Watch and Night Walk took place in August. Ella of the Essex Bat Group gave us an overview of the bats in the UK along with the work that the Bat Group carry out. We then set off around the park with electronic bat detectors in hand, every now and then picking up the quick clicking sound to inform us that bats were nearby. An interesting and informative evening was enjoyed by all.
The Autumn Walk with Apple Theme Refreshments took place in October.
The monthly wildlife walks again expertly organised by Martin Singleton have proved popular. Each month a comprehensive report is produced and also an annual summary which are downloaded onto the FOWCP website. Many thanks to Martin for his continued and welcome support.
The new Wick Gardening Group - the Wick-ed Gardeners - is now meeting regularly. The group take a break in December and January. Thank you to Marie for organising these.
We would also like to say a big thank you to Ali Riley for her management of our Facebook page and also to the Wickford Wombles for their litter picks in the Wick Country Park. A thank you too to Alaric for all his work maintaining the website.
We are appealing for more volunteers, especially to join the committee to help us arrange and give new ideas for this year's events.
Finally, free membership will be continued for another year.
Christine Lee
Acting Chair, Friends of the Wick Country Park
January 2023