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This clip was taken along side one of my photographic shoots on Elmley Marshes, Kent.

For a high res image go to: www.wildaboutimages.co.uk

© Paul Bunyard

Halesworth and District Riding Club

Dressage success for Halesworth Riding Club
The Halesworth and District Riding Club (HDRC) Dressage Show, held last Saturday 22 August 2009, kept organisers busy with a strong turnout of keen competitors.

With classes from Intro to Elementary level the show, which is only the HDRC’s second dressage event this year, drew a total 44 entries and the sun shone on them all throughout the day.

Compliments about the new Club flowed freely, to the delight of the organisers. Committee member Sarah Shephard said: “It makes our hard work an absolute pleasure to see the smiles on the faces of the competitors and to hear positive comments such as ‘very professionally run, extremely friendly and the scores and results were done very quickly’! The response we have had to the HDRC since we launched in May has exceeded our expectations already and membership is continuing to grow.”

Halesworth and District Riding Club was set up by ten local riders from Halesworth because they were finding it tough to cover the costs of regular travel to their nearest registered British Riding Club around an hour’s travel away. Shows are held at Phoenix Equestrian Centre in Spexhall on a 60m x 60m all-weather manège,

HDRC will be holding a show jumping competition on 19 September and a cross country training day at Boundary Farm, Framsden on 3 October. It costs just £5 to become a member of HDRC for 2009.

Membership gives you exclusive access to the Club’s programme of competitions, training sessions and social events.

For further information contact the membership secretary on 01986 873810, email hdrc09@tiscali.co.uk or visit www.phoenixec.co.uk to download schedules.

Visit www.photoboxgallery.com/shotsonthespot for show pictures

HDRC Dressage results 22 August 2009
click image below to view

Our white-clawed crayfish in rivers across East Anglia are under threat

A lake in Suffolk is being established as a safe haven "ark" for the British native white-clawed crayfish which is under threat from an American invader.

The crustaceans look like miniature lobsters and used to be widespread in Britain's rivers. However, their numbers have fallen sharply due to the rise of the aggressive signal crayfish. The Environment Agency is transferring white-clawed crayfish to a "secret" lake which will become an "ark" home.

The crayfish will be rescued from rivers in Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire.
The invading species out-competes the white-claws for food and other resources as well as carrying a disease called crayfish plague.

Lethal disease
An Environment Agency spokeswoman said: "Although the signal crayfish are not affected, this disease is lethal to our native species and has wiped them out from whole river systems in a matter of weeks.

"The new project is aiming to prevent this by developing an innovative crayfish 'ark'.

"The Environment Agency, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) and Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership have joined forces and have already found one landowner keen for his lake to become the first 'ark'.

"The lake has been thoroughly checked for suitability and passed with flying colours.
"Even nearby rivers were checked for non-native crayfish to ensure there was no risk of the new site being invaded."

The spokeswoman said the project was being supported by funding from Suffolk Environmental Trust, Essex and Suffolk Water and the Environment Agency.

She said: "In time, it is hoped that the transferred animals will breed and grow into a healthy population in this lake."

The Environment Agency has appealed for anyone with a large pond, lake or gravel pit who would like it to be considered as an ark site to contact them.

The Beccles Carnival procession dates back to the pre 1900’s and this year will take place on Sunday 30th August 2009.

Please note that the parade will be leaving at the earlier time of 1.00pm from Rainbow car park into Gosford Road, left onto Station Road, Newgate, Blyburgate, Peddars Lane, St Mary's Road, Ballygate, New Market, The Walk, Old Market, Northgate and then on to the Quayside. The Beccles Traditional Carnival Procession is Sponsored by Thurlow Nunn of Beccles

Each year we rely on local businesses, clubs, societies, organisations, and individuals to spend lot of time and effort preparing for their Carnival Float. Each year the quality and hard work shines through when thousands of people line the streets to watch the marching bands, majorettes, floats, walkers, vintage, and classic cars make their way around the historic and pectoris route of Beccles town centre.

PLEASE look out for volunteers carrying the official collection buckets and we ask you to please give generously if you can. We also ask that you show your appreciation of the procession entrant’s hard work by clapping and cheering as they go past you on the parade route.

We have this year organised various family fun activities to run alongside our Traditional Carnival procession. This year entry to all Quayside events is free but donations would be much appreciated, as without these it would be impossible to put on such an event, so please be generous if you can when you see our collection buckets. Last year St John Ambulance and Beccles Army Cadets were the main beneficiaries of the Carnival; it is hoped that with your help we can support many more this year.

Saturday’s entertainment in Beccles town centre Beccles Baby competition
12pm bring your babies aged between 0 - 6 months and 6 – 12 months outside Beccles QD Stores for our all-new baby competition prizes kindly supplied by Picture Studios of Lowestoft.

Judging takes place in town Centre with Winners announced on quayside and presentation of prizes.

Each prize will be worth £29.90 and will include a photographic sitting experience in picture studios and includes a free portrait when they come back to view the photos.

The annual Teddy Bears Parade assembles from 12.15pm also outside QD Stores of Beccles.

Bring along your dressed teddy and join The Beach Bunny, Miss Beccles and her Princesses in our parade to Beccles Quay at 1pm. where on the Quayside there will be prizes for the best-dressed teddy in age groups ranging from 0-12 years.

Entertainment by Andy the singing clown will also be happening outside the QD Stores before the Teddy bears parade leaves for the Quayside. The Teddy Bears Parade is kindly sponsored by The Toybox of Beccles

Saturday’s Family Fun afternoon at Beccles Quayside
K-SLY-R will be entertaining the children with dancing, fun games, and giveaways.

Followed by a dance display by the Dance Factory.

Take part in the family running races with medals for all winners.

Children’s Fancy Dress Competition age groups of 0-5, 5–8, 8-12

New for 2009 is Beccles Team challenge Sponsored by M&H Plastics of Beccles
Come along and cheer on the teams as they participate in a number of fun and games to win points for their team. Prizes awarded to winners and for raising the most sponsorship. Team entry is made up of five members whom must all be over the age of eighteen entry forms from www.BecclesCarnival.co.uk

Family fun entertainment at Beccles Quayside Sunday 2pm until 6pm
Come and be amazed by the drum display by T.S Brave of Beccles. See the skills that Beccles Sea Cadets have developed.

Stamp your feet and clap your hands to the sounds of the Southwold and Reydon Corp of Drums display.

See the amazing fire-eater and trapeze artists.

Watch as the Lowestoft dog agility team show you their skills.

Enjoy the majorette groups with these fantastic displays of skill and balance.

Plus music from Moore Music Roadshow and don’t forget to visit the vast variety of Stalls and attractions.

www.BecclesCarnival.co.uk

marvel.com

Garden owner Jon Kelf celebrated a win for Norwich this weekend. Although Norwich born and bred his victory was not in relation to the performance of his football team, Norwich City. Jon has won the Daily Mail 2009 National Garden competition for “Best Garden in Britain.” Jungle Garden was voted for on-line by the public.

Jon opens his garden once a year since 2008, for the National Gardens Scheme in Norfolk who encouraged their garden owners to enter. Last year’s competition winner was NGS “Windy Ridge” garden in Shropshire. This year’s competition also featured NGS gardens in Hampshire and Lincolnshire in the final five, gardens renown for their quality, character and interest.

Jon Kelf said “It was really prestigious that the garden was accepted for the National Garden Scheme to open two years ago. I never anticipated that this would lead to to gaining a place in the finals and actually winning “The Best Garden in Britain” competition. Jungle Garden was one of the smallest gardens and the only one surrounding a new house. I hope it will encourage new visitors and more small and exotic gardens to open for the NGS in Norfolk”.

The Jungle Garden is a small town garden approximately twenty-six feet by sixty feet with five levels of decking surrounded by dense, lush exotic planting. It has over two hundred different and unusual types of plants including palms, bamboos, bananas, gingers, cannas and more. Jon opened for the National Gardens Scheme on the 16th August. Little did the visitors know they were visiting the potential winner!

NGS County organiser Anthea Foster said “The Norfolk NGS congratulate
Jungle Garden on winning the “Best Garden in Britain Award”. Appreciation must also be given to all the other Norfolk NGS gardens that entered. There have been other city gardens in previous years but Jungle Garden is unusual with its exotic planting, small dimensions and layers of decking compared to a more formal garden. The interest in garden visiting has increased over the years with the economic climate and climate change. With the inclusion of smaller gardens, allotments and town gardens, many visitors take away not just plants but gardening and design tips. The garden owners give so much time to opening, not just gardening but promoting their open days and providing visitors with a great day out while raising money for the worthwhile charities of the NGS. It is a great acclaim for Jon Kelf and the Jungle Garden but also for Norwich, Norfolk and the Norfolk National Gardens Scheme”.

Visit your local Tourist information Centre to pick up a Norfolk NGS Gardens leaflet or visit www.norfolkgardens.org

If your garden is of high quality, character and at least forty-five minutes interest Contact County Organiser Fiona Black to discuss opening your garden. Tel 01692 650247.