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ESTATE NEWS

ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS

ince my last article, we are a month
further into winter and we are getting
Sto the turning point where the days
start becoming longer again…but first we
have freezing weather…talk of snow…
even some freezing rain!!
Hopefully, we are relatively close to the
end of lockdown, so we can reach out to
friends and family – the one thing I believe
we all missed most during lockdown. Not
having that support! At least I saw an
aeroplane in the sky today!!
Some areas of the golf course are still being
watered with our new irrigation system. It
is a while since it was installed but is still an
amazing new feature for which we must
thank all the homeowners who paid the
special levy. The course looks pretty good
for this time of the year, even after having
had severe frost.
And we are able to use it, be it for golf,
walking, running or going for a cycle
or drive in a golf cart to appreciate our
amazing estate. For the fishermen who use Concerning environmental matters, we
the dams regularly – what a great positive are cutting, removing and cleaning reeds
that fishing was opened so soon during which had to remain untouched during
lockdown – enjoy! lockdown from as far back as April. We do
have a ‘Removal of Reeds’ policy in place
One great thing to be emphasised is that but, of course, this year the process started
we have the golfers back on the course and later than normal and we have to apologise
some parts of the club open – it all feels to all concerned. The birders wrote to us
alive again and it is great to appreciate and asked about saving pockets for the
the beautiful facility we have – not only finches and other breeding birds. This
to use during lockdown for exercise but is definitely part of the policy but due to
to experience the fun people have playing miscommunication during lockdown, the
a sport on this facility, while we have also reeds were completely removed in certain
been allowed to use the pathways for areas ...we were, however, able to save
walking, running, etc. some areas. We apologise profusely for
that!
The basics of the policy are that all the
excessive reeds (which are not indigenous)
are removed in April when the water is still
warm enough for our environmental staff Special feature in the garden that makes
to work in and there are also fewer birds it look awesome
breeding. Some pockets and clumps of
reeds are being left as breeding sites for
birds and fish, and some as filters for the
stormwater drains which flow into the
dams in summertime.

Last month we had a bit of a chat about
winter gardening for this time of the
year and as I walked through the estate,
I thought to include a few photos of very
special features that make any garden look
awesome – especially during winter, when
it can look bleak and dowdy – have a look
at the photos…

Members back on the golf course The environmental team cleaning reeds

INTRA MUROS JULY 2020 13