Welcome

Walking in to History

As we head in to the last calendar year of the Boro Becks Project, we’re hoping for a vast improvement on the weather compared with last year.

With guided walks starting earlier this year, drop in craft sessions in the February half term and community litter

Christine Corbett Community Outreach Officer

Barry Jobson Becks Ranger

Sammy MetcalfeProject Co-ordinator

Guided walks are an important part of our events programme, designed to give people an opportunity to explore new routes along the becks and enjoy the natural history and heritage of Middlesbrough and its surroundings.

However, they can also have a more personal resonance as regular walker Rita Anderson discovered when she researched her family’s previously unknown connection with the ironstone mining industry. Rita takes up the story;

‘I asked my Mum, May Rowett, now 90 years old, if she could remember how she felt when she first began school in Great Ayton. It was the only place I knew of where my grandparents Matthew and Florence Beasley and most of my relations had lived. Her answer surprised me as she said,” No, I didn’t start school there, I started at the school in Pit Top”. Where and what was Pit Top or Upsall Pit as I now know it’s called?

It was a small community of a few miners’ cottages with a chapel and schoolhouse built in 1871 on Barnaby Moor. The mine shaft was used to take out the ore from deep beneath the surface but later, ore was taken down the mine to be unloaded from the Trustee drift entrance of Eston Mine, just above Eston village. My grandad, a miner, had an allotment there and milk and eggs were bought from a nearby farm. When other shopping was needed, my mum told me they used to

take their donkey Jesse down to either Eston or Guisborough to do it.

This little community no longer exists and the houses were demolished many years ago. However, people still remember it and often ask for information on local history websites.’

Over the last 18 months, our walks with archaeologist Dr Steve Sherlock looking at Eston Mine and the history of Eston Hills have enabled Rita to see the places where her mother spent her early childhood. We plan to organise more walks with these themes in the coming months.

picks to look forward to, some winter sunshine would be lovely. However, last autumn’s weather didn’t stop us celebrating the Big Draw project with St Pius X RC Primary School and thanks to everyone who helped to plant spring bulbs along the becks, planning for warmer days to come.

Newsletter; Edition 9 Winter 2012/13

Inspiring local people to love their wild spaces

Check out our facebook page for new photos, events and news and get in touch through our twitter feed @BoroBecksTeam.

Contact details; 01642 515618

Ormesby Beck Marton West Beck

Spencer Beck Middle Beck

Winter is always a busy time for practical work along the becks, making the most of the dormant season with tree management, litter picking, access works and larger improvement schemes.

Contact details; Boro Becks Project, c/o Stewart Park, The Grove,

Marton, Middlesbrough, TS7 8AR

The national Big Draw project aims to make drawing accessible, interesting and fun. As part of last year’s initiative, year 5 children from St Pius X RC Primary School worked with the Boro Becks team and local artist Andy Broderick to record Ormesby Beck through their artwork. The class went out for an autumnal ramble and were amazed at how taking time to look revealed beauty in plant seed heads, leaves and wildlife such as the red dragonfly discovered resting on the grass. The following classroom sessions gave the children the chance to practise new drawing skills with natural paints and create beautiful works of art.

New metal artwork designed and fabricated by artist Graeme Hopper for the entrances to Ormesby Beck off Ladgate Lane and Ida Road has been installed to welcome walkers to one of the most wildlife rich and diverse beck valleys in the town.

Our first Green Christmas Fair at Charlbury Road Community Centre marked the start of the festive season in style with a popular Santa’s grotto and the chance to make gifts and decorations using natural and recycled materials. Thanks to everyone who came along and made it such a lovely family occasion.

Installation of sculptural metal work designed by artist Graeme Hopper took place over the winter to brighten up the bridges following a repaint in the autumn. In addition, standard trees have been planted at strategic spots to provide summer shade, autumn colour and year round food and shelter for wildlife.

And finally, keep an eye out for the spring bulbs planted last year during the half term holidays, bringing a welcome splash of colour to the becksides.

Improvement plans for the beck valley have been drawn up and include hedge planting, footpath improvements and entrance features designed with local school children and fabricated by sculptor Jim Roberts. Jim’s earlier work marking the Tees Link route up to Flatts Lane Country Park is still in place. These will all help to increase the wildlife value of the beck and raise its profile among local people.

Further improvements include new trees planted in partnership with the Friends of Thorntree Park and Middlesbrough Council and funded with a successful Big Tree Plant grant secured by Groundwork NE.

The volunteer team have planted hundreds of bulbs around the footbridges across the beck and near Keith Road to celebrate the improvements made last year. Regular walkers will also benefit from easier access with new steps along the wilder section upstream of Devil’s Bridge.

Plans to set up a friends group for Marton West Beck continue to take shape and we urge anybody with an interest in the beck to come forward and get involved. We’ll be out and about on the beck in the spring to chat to regular users about this d e v e l o p m e n t , keep an eye out for our marquee.

Spring Equinox RambleThursday 21st March 10am-12.30pmEnjoy a 5 mile circular walk along Ormesby and Middle Becks to search for signs of spring. Meet in the car park by Pallister ParkBooking essential on 01642 515618 or email borobecks@middlesbrough.gov.uk.

Community Litter Picks in February/MarchJoin the volunteer team every Thursday for an opportunity to spring clean the becks and be rewarded for your efforts with free refreshments. Dates, times and venues to be arranged; please contact Becks Ranger Barry Jobson on 01642 515618 or email borobecks@middlesbrough.gov.uk for details.

Winter WanderThursday 28th February 10am-3.30pmFollow the route down Marton West Beck to Linthorpe Cemetery for a guided tour of the stories behind the headstones with local historians Geoff and Jenny Braddy. Lunch provided.Please meet at the Nature’s World visitor centre.Booking essential for minibus return to start of walk on 01642 515618 or email borobecks@middlesbrough.gov.uk.

Little Beck Explorers Crafty CapersTuesday 19th February 2-4pm at Easterside Library Thursday 21st February 2-4pm at Berwick Hills LibraryFind out more about the Boro Becks Little Explorer Packs available for families from selected libraries with children’s crafts, facepainting and information.

Contact details; Boro Becks Project, c/o Stewart Park, The Grove, Marton, Middlesbrough, TS7 8AR

FREE Events and ActivitiesFor our outdoor events please dress for the weather, with good footwear and warm, waterproof clothing. Bring a packed lunch and drinks for all day walks.All family events are validated by The Children’s University so bring learning passports along to record the time spent. In most cases, parking is extremely limited at the event venues and meeting points; please walk to the events or use public transport where possible. For more details or to book where needed, ring 01642 515618 or email borobecks@middlesbrough.gov.uk.

Please note; all children (16 years and under) must be accompanied by an adult.

No sooner had the cutting of the wildflower meadows been completed last autumn when the winter programme of practical tasks began with regular litter picks, footpath improvement work and general patrols in all weathers.

Volunteers have been preparing for spring by planting hundreds of bulbs at key entrance points to the beck valleys. These will welcome regular walkers with a blaze of colour. Woodland management work has continued to raise canopies and

thin out overcrowded copses across all four becks which will improve sightlines and increase their wildlife value. The community litter picks in February and March will enable local residents to join forces with the volunteer team and other partners to blitz the becks ready for the new season ahead.

If you like keeping busy in the fresh air, meeting new people and learning new skills, contact Barry on 01642 515618 or email borobecks@middlesbrough.gov.uk to make a real difference to your becks.

Volunteer Update

It may feel too early to begin to think about spring but nature has already started to stir. We now have the ideal opportunity to record the changing seasons along these wildlife rich beck valleys as there are two years of observations to refer back to.

When you’re walking along the becks, keep your eyes and ears peeled for the spring signs below and let us know when you see them by email, telephone or through facebook and twitter.

If you spot a problem when out on the becks, use the numbers below to report it;

Important numbers

Pollution incidentsEnvironment Agency’s 24-hour pollution hotline 0800 807060

Rubbish in the becks or along the valleysMiddlesbrough Council Environment hotline 01642 726001

Contact details; borobecks@middlesbrough.gov.uk / www.middlesbrough.gov.uk

Out and About

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Hazel catkinsOften seen in January in

mild winters, these are

the male pollen bearing

flowers, sometimes called

‘lambs’ tails’.

Willow catkinsA vital source of early pollen

and nectar for queen bumble

bees and also known as

pussy willow for their soft

grey appearance when first

out.

LadybirdThese useful little insects

feed mainly on greenfly

which makes you wonder

what they find to eat when

they first wake up?

PrimroseAn iconic herald of spring,

found in shady spots along

all the beck valleys.

SnowdropsWe’ve planted lots of snowdrops along all the becks to brighten up the darkest winter days.

Blackthorn blossomPollination of these early spring flowers guarantees a good crop of purple sloes in the autumn, perfect for flavouring gin!

Bumble beeOnly the large queen bees survive the winter and on waking up, search for nest sites and feed from spring flowers.

Peacock ButterflyAnother hibernating insect which becomes active as air temperatures rise. The false eye markings on its wings help protect it from predators, diverting attention away from the insect’s head.