Marton Village, Warwickshire

Wildflower Identification Guide

Marton Parish Council led a project in 2020 to introduce areas of wildflower meadows to the playing fields and surrounding areas.

The seed mix was chosen to provide a variety of species over following years, which can be identified with this guide.

Thank you to residents Dr Joan Sherratt for producing the guide and Dr Nick Steggall for overseeing the seed choices and sowing.

Thanks also to the funders, Severn Trent Community Fund and Warwickshire Councillors’ Grant Fund and the many volunteers who gave time and energy to the project.

We hope you enjoy the improved biodiversity of the area. If you need to report any related issues, please email clerk@martonvillage.com.

Growing Healthier Together (project report)

willow dome care

Despite obvious Covid-19 set-backs, in 2020 Marton Parish Council succeeded in creating living willow sculptures and community edible gardens with grants from Severn Trent and Warwickshire County Council.

These provided the local community with transferable skills for employment, quality volunteering opportunities, fresh community-grown food, a focus for working in the outdoors (with its wellbeing benefits) and a much-needed sense of purpose and positivity during a very difficult year.

The WCC Councillor’s Grant funding was for £1050 and the Parish Council was successful in securing £5597 additional funding from the Severn Trent Community Fund to extend the project’s wildlife improvements and community involvement.

All Marton residents – more than 450 people in about 200 households – were invited to apply for willow sculpture training (three were funded to attend) and to volunteer with planting (52 generously gave many hours). Volunteer numbers were lower than might have been in an ordinary year as we had to manage very small and safely distanced groups and couldn’t hold any open events, but the project still created a much-needed sense of cohesion and activity at an otherwise lonely and anxious time.

During the work, volunteers spoke about how good it felt to ease out of lockdown by helping the community and safely working outdoors with others again. Residents also commented on how uplifting it was to see activity after lockdown had hushed the village.

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Planting Progress

volunteers raking

The parish council has just submitted its interim report to Severn Trent for the funding received for planting and biodiversity improvements in the village. Looking back on the last six months for the report has brought home just how much has been achieved in incredibly difficult circumstances.

We applied for the funding in January, obviously unaware of covid-19 and the restrictions and impacts that were to come. The funds have to spent within a year so we had to find a way to adapt our plans and work within guidelines, so we could still use the project to safely bring people together and to make positive additions to the village.

It’s unfortunate the focus had to change from public meetings, mass-volunteering events and launch parties, to creating opportunities for people to plant/volunteer in small bubbles, but it’s been more important than ever to provide a focus for residents to be able to be outdoors and either engaged safely in volunteering activities or tending plants in their own time.

willow dome planting

Back in February, living willow training for three volunteer residents went very well and, with three additional volunteers, a willow dome was planted to expand the children’s play area (and is now growing well despite a recent set back of vandalism).

Once lockdown started we could only plan remotely: designing new playground signs, commissioning a biodiversity report from resident expert Nick Steggall, delivering flyers in the one-a-day walk asking for feedback and writing updates for the newsletter.

Once guidelines permitted, in July, we organised two small working-parties, creating large community raised beds with composting in the playground, installing pavilion rain water harvesting and new welcome signs.

rotovating

During the work, volunteers spoke about how good it felt to ease out of lockdown by helping the community and safely working outdoors with others again. Residents also commented on how uplifting it was to see activity after lockdown had hushed the village.

A wet and windy August delayed progress on the wildflower areas, which then became the focus in September, with essential help from Gordon Robson followed by volunteers divided into small groups to tackle overgrown hedgerows, soil preparation and sowing.

Everyone worked so hard and we were very grateful for kindly lent machinery from Priory Tool Hire and extra help from Reg at the cricket club. The areas look shockingly brown and barren now but, thanks to all the hard work and a bespoke mix of seed made especially for Marton’s conditions and needs, we’ve been assured that next year it will be transformed and each year after it will get better and better.

There are still a few elements to come (like the ‘hard to recycle’ scheme) but so far an incredible 52 volunteers from the village have given more than 1,600 hours to the project. We thank all of you for your hard work and enthusiasm!

Marton Playground & Outdoor Gym

In line with Covid-19 Government guidelines, outdoor playgrounds and gyms were included in list of facilities that would be allowed to open from the 4th July if they are safe, as lockdown measures will be relaxed across England.

Marton Parish Council will be re-opening the play area and adult gym from Saturday 4th July (tomorrow).

However, for the facilities to open safely we are asking residents, parents and carers to take reasonable precautions:
If you are in an ‘at risk’ category you are advised not to use the equipment

  • Use hand sanitiser before, during and after using the play area
  • Use your own wipes/spray to clean touch points on equipment
  • Maintain social distancing at all times
  • Come back later if the playground is busy
  • Take your litter home and dispose of wipes, masks and gloves responsibly
  • Wash your hands thoroughly when you get home
  • Please avoid eating and touching your face if possible during your visit.

    If you or anyone in your household have signs of Covis-19 you should self-isolate and seek advice at NHS.uk/coronavirus.

Please also be aware, if you plan to visit on Sunday 5 July, as part of our growing together grant a small group of volunteers will be installing some raised beds in the play area from 1.30pm.

Marton Village Sports Day (Now postponed until Saturday 17 September) – It’s a Knockout, Sat 2nd July 2016 – 1pm

SportsDay_raceThis years sports day fundraiser is an It’s a Knock Out style team event, as well as the annual individual fun races so everyone can get involved. Come and support the MPFA and enjoy an afternoon of sporting family fun including a hog roast, homemade cakes, bar, tombola, bric-a-brac and much, much more for you all to enjoy.

Supporting your MPFA
SportsDay_roastOver the coming year, the MPFA are attempting to drastically renovate the village pavilion. Adding a disabled toilets, upgrading the changing rooms and adding a deck, along with upgrading the sporting equipment available for use by the village. Sports day is our main fundraiser for the year so your support is much appreciated as always.

What are the team requirements?
Teams should ideally be mixed abilities and ages and made up of between 4 and 6 people. The games for the Sports Day have been designed so that all abilities can enjoy them and no one is forced to take part in games if they do not wish to. A towel and change of clothes is recommended, as you will get wet – it’s all part of the fun!

We ask that one of you take on the role of ‘Team Captain’ as this makes it easier for us to contact you if required.  We also need you to come up with a team name – it can be as simple or as wacky as you like!  There will also be prize for the best-dressed team!

How to registerSportsDay_drinks To register please complete this registration form and return to Helen Keeves – 6 The Orchard including your registration fee by Wednesday 29th June.

Click here for the link to Registration Form

 

See you all on July 2nd !

A Busy September

scarecrowThere has been a lot happening in Marton this September, so it is just as well that the weather has prolonged the summer to suit the outdoor activities. It all started on the first weekend with the Scarecrow Trail, based on the product of two workshops run by Sarah Coe. The village had scarecrows on almost every corner which made for a spooky site come dusk. In the afternoon the MPFA had organised rounders gameson the playing fields accompanied by a bar and barbecue refreshments.