Info from Hackney Marsh User Group

From: Hackney Marshes Users Group [mailto:news@hmug.org.uk] Subject: Hackney Marshes Matters ====================================East Marsh Bridge Comments Deadline This Monday====================================The deadline for commenting to Hackney Council is the end of this Monday, 14 Feb, not 4th Feb as I said last time. Sorry — but this gives you another chance to comment to the Council, which is perhaps more important than the ODA. (The ODA deadline was 4 Feb but it may still be worth submitting as their planning cycle for this runs till late February.)This proposal would bridge the old River Lea by the new Centre building. The documents are here:http://idox.hackney.gov.uk/WAM/showCaseFile.do?appNumber=2010/3070email planning@hackney.gov.uk or via web; If web page has stopped accepting comments, it’s still worth emailing.HMUG comments here: http://tinyurl.com/emb-app-hac We’ve added some points since our last mailing.====================================Woodland Work Days====================================We say ‘work’ but of course we mean ‘fun’. We’ll be doing management jobs in Wick Woodland:* this Sunday 13 Feband :* Sun 27 Feb* Sun 13 March* Sun 27 MarchStart at the Tree Nursery 10.30, or join us in the wood from 11-ish till 3-ish.No experience needed, the days are for us all to learn woodland management skills as well as helping the young wood along. Jobs planned include: removing old wooden palings; litter clearing; thinning scrub & crowded trees; coppicing hazel & willow; pruning fruit trees. Wear old clothes, and footwear you can get muddy. Tools & gloves provided. Picnic & tea laid on, but you could bring a bit extra to share. Wick Woodland is south of Homerton Road, the other side of the road from the main marsh.====================================Walks====================================Our next walks are:Sun 6 MarchSun 1 MayStart 11.00 at the Tree Nursery, lasts for about 2 hours.====================================Schools====================================We are arranging a series of sessions for a local primary school, linked to their curriculum. If you might like to get involved, please get in touch. It will be on Friday afternoons 4 March to 8 April.====================================Path across main marsh to White House bridge====================================Hackney council proposes to build a shared use path (pedestrian/cycle) east-west across the ‘waist’ of the marsh to White House bridge. HMUG isn’t commenting on this but if you want to know more we can email you the documents. The council has to submit the proposal to the planning inspectorate (PINS) as it affects common land. Comments to the Planning Inspectorate on or before Monday 14 Feb.====================================See a bee?====================================The sunny mild weather this week has got the honey bees foraging. Beekeeper Tim is very keen to learn what plants they are foraging on. If you happen to see a honey bee on a flower, drop us an email. If you can take a photo, even better, please email it. We hope you’re enjoying the first signs of spring as much as the bees.====================Hackney Marshes Users Group (HMUG) are local people who volunteer to look after Hackney Marsheswww.hmug.org.uk contact@hmug.org.uk Community Tree Nursery and Forest Garden, map: http://tinyurl.com/hmug-map Volunteer sessions Fridays 9-11.30, Tuesdays 12-3 (summer), 11-2 (winter). Everyone welcome — no skills or experience needed — come when you can, for as long as you like — equipment, training & tea provided.