The Environment Group

Fishburn Environment Group was set up in 1991 to try and protect and improve the environment in and around Fishburn.  Its members are volunteers, but we have developed useful links with local authorities and particularly with the Groundwork Trust.

Our main success has been the development of the Wetlands on the pitheap site.  This was an area where water naturally collected, and we persuaded the county council to encourage this in their landscaping.  Since then we have planted shrubs, trees and pond plants, and made small alterations to the landscaping to ensure that the site remains a seasonal wetland rather than simply a pond.  We have been rewarded by the development of a significant range of wetland plants and wildlife, as the growing number of people walking in the area will have noticed.

The Environment Group's work in the village has mainly been bulb planting, particularly on the approaches to the village, and we have managed to involve our schoolchildren in this, which we think contributes to lowering vandalism.  We plan a large extension of the bulb planting in the Autumn.  We have also planted shrubs and trees near the former site of Carr's Pond.

Our other major works have been concerned with footpaths.  We have built many stiles and a footbridge to improve access to the countryside, and we try and walk as many footpaths as possible to identify problems and to keep them open.  Our main project in this area is two develop a 'four villages circular' which will link Fishburn, Sedgefield, Bishop Middleham and the Trimdons. 

If you would like to help us, or if you want further information, contact Bill or Maddy Broome on
01740 622426 or e-mail on david22426@aol.com.
                                             
                                                               Year 2000 Program
                                                             
19^th March Tree Planting Meet at Golf Course Car Park
26^th March Bulb Planting - Meet at Sedgefield Terrace
16^th April Shincliffe - Croxdale Walk (6 miles). Meet at Seven Stars, Shincliffe
21^st May Stile Building, River Skerne. Meet at Skerne Bridge
11^th June Stile Building, Bridge House Farm. Meet at Three Horseshoes
17^th June Sedgefield Boundary Walk.  Meet at Sedgefield Green
25^th June Four Villages Walk (Fishburn and the Trimdons). Meet at the Ambulance Station
9^th July Seat Building, Skerne Walkway. Meet at Golf Course Car Park
17^th September Hurworth Burn Circular Walk (6-8 miles). Meet at Hurworth Burn Reservoir
15^th October Bulb Planting. TBA
12^th November Tree Planting TBA
                                     
Unfortunately the year 2001 program has been disrupted due to the foot and mouth out break.