The Flyer
Town & County . News from the villages
Manuden Scarecrow Trail
Manuden Scarecrow Trail 2018 , 1st- 3rd June , proved to be a very successful event .
Thankfully the weather was sunny and warm which bought many visitors to the village . Over 30 scarecrows were on display around beautiful Manuden and a record number of maps were sold at just over 1000 .
Scarecrows ranged from hiking to horse racing with some being interactive . The favourite , voted for by those doing the trail , was ‘ Becher ’ s Brook ’ with Cross ‘ Country Unicorn Racing ’ coming in second and ‘ Nature watching ’ third .
The village was a hive of activity with many visitors enjoying a picnic on the playing fields followed by a cup of tea and of course a good slice of homemade cake after completing the trail .
The Committee are pleased to announce an amazing profit of £ 5500 which has been shared between The Sick Children ’ s Trust at Addenbrooks and other local causes . They would also like to thank all the villagers for their support in making cakes and running the stall as well as the sponsors , Harlow Garden Centre , Price Bailey and Russel Properties .
Next year the trail will be taking place from the Friday 31st May to Sunday 2nd June 2019 . If there is anyone who would like to sponsor the event please email manudenscarecrowtrail @ gmail . com .
An American Summer
Saturday 14th July at 7pm
In the beautiful St Andrew ’ s Church , Much Hadham , spend a summer evening with one of the region ’ s most engaging choirs led by Musical Director , Josie Cowley .
Following the success of Voices for Hospices , fundraising for Isabel Hospice , the Harmonaires Choir is delighted to continue its partnership with the hospice for this unmissable choral concert celebrating the Great American Songbook . Enjoy Rat Pack standards , country / folk classics , musical theatre anthems , glorious gospel and uplifting works by living American composers .
Tickets : Adults £ 10 , Students
£ 6 from 07916 153 898 or www . theharmonaireschoir . com
The Harmonaires Choir , formed under 4 years ago , is building a reputation as one of the leading choirs in the area singing an eclectic mix of music from Tallis to Coldplay . Having had a successful appearance at the International Sangerstevne Choir Festival in London in May , the choir has also been invited back to Ely Cathedral to perform on 23rd June during the Cathedral ’ s much acclaimed three-day Flower Festival . With local concerts in October and December 2018 , the choir will also be at Bury St Edmunds Cathedral in March next year .
Orchid returns to Thorley Wash Nature Reserve
Early marsh orchids have been recorded at Thorley Wash Nature Reserve for the first time in 30 years .
The site was designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest ( SSSI ) in 1986 , with the early marsh orchid listed on the original description . Over the years the reserve was at risk of losing its nationally important status as it had not been managed for over 10 years before Herts and Middlesex Trust took on its management in 2010 . The grassland habitat was heavily shaded by willow scrub and as a result , the SSSI was defined as being in ‘ unfavourable declining status ’. Following a large scale restoration project by the Trust , the site regained its favourable ecological status two summers ago .
The orchid was discovered this month by volunteer warden Robert Phillips and the Trust is thrilled that the dedicated habitat management and fantastic volunteer effort is paying off . Each year the site is grazed by cattle to manage the vegetation , removing the dense vegetation that builds up , enabling smaller and less vigorous plants to prosper across the reserve . Each winter volunteers also help with scrub clearance to help maintain this important open habitat . More species of plants will result in more insects which live on those plants . The insects in turn provide food for birds and small mammals .
Look for upcoming events at Thorley Wash Nature Reserve at hertswildlifetrust . org . uk / events
Please mention ‘ The Flyer ’ when responding to advertisements THE FLYER | JULY 2018 9