The Volunteers Protecting Southern Country Park with Jim Hook
Show notes
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Jim Hook is chairperson of the volunteers for Friends of Southern Country Park, a group helping care for one of Bishop’s Stortford’s most loved green spaces. Having lived in the town for nearly 50 years, he now spends part of his retirement helping protect, improve and champion the park for both people and wildlife.
In this conversation, Jim explains what the Friends group actually does. Working alongside East Herts, the volunteers take on the kind of practical jobs that help keep the park special, from spreading woodchip on muddy paths and rebuilding steps to cutting back overgrowth, mending fences and creating habitat features that protect more sensitive parts of the site.
The episode also looks at the park’s wildlife and future plans. Jim talks about the long-running butterfly records gathered at Southern Country Park, the moth counts currently being carried out, and a new Butterfly Bank project the group hopes to build to encourage even more species into the park. It is a conversation about conservation, community effort and the importance of valuing the green spaces that make Bishop’s Stortford what it is.
Links
Friends of Southern Country Park - https://www.facebook.com/foscp.bs/
Location of Southern Country Park - https://maps.app.goo.gl/QPbGuTHzk4MuiHdWA
Stortford Spotlight
Billboard in Jackson Square
“Value your green spaces”
Jim’s message is for everyone, but especially people who are busy, distracted or have not yet taken the time to explore what Bishop’s Stortford already has. His point is that the town is rich in green space and people should make more of it.
Secret Spot
Southern Country Park - https://maps.app.goo.gl/QPbGuTHzk4MuiHdWA
Jim highlights Southern Country Park itself, while recognising the balance between wanting people to enjoy it and also wanting to protect the wildlife and habitats that make it special.
Local Legends
Friends of Castle Park
Birchanger Wood Trust - https://birchangerwoodtrust.org/
Friends of Pishiobury Park - https://www.friendsofpishioburypark.co.uk/
Bishop's Stortford Library - https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/libraries-and-archives/library-opening-hours/bishops-stortford-library.aspx
Jim gives a broad and generous shoutout to the volunteer groups helping care for green spaces in and around the area, especially Friends of Castle Park, Birchanger Wood Trust and Friends of Pishiobury Park.
Support the Podcast
You can support The Bishop’s Stortford Community Podcast through The Giving Lottery.
Support here:
https://www.givinglottery.org.uk/support/bishops-stortford-community-podcast-cic