Following the success of the Friends of Sweyne Park Open Space group that was set up last year, we want to hear from local people who are interested in joining a Friends of Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park group.
The Cherry Orchard group will help the Council to develop the park and put forward suggestions for activities and events.
Situated in the rolling countryside of the Roach Valley at the south of the District, Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park continues to mature, providing unique recreational facilities. The woodlands, lake and open grassland provide habitat for a huge range of animals and plants and the network of paths and bridleways provide pleasant walks for residents and visitors to the area.
Rochford District Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment Councillor Michael Starke said “’Friends of’ groups are invaluable to the Council, as they give us a real idea of what’s needed in the local parks and open spaces from a resident’s point of view”.
As a result of resident’s requests at the meetings of the Friends of Sweyne Park Open Space group, a number of changes have already been made, including:
- the installation of additional bins
- improvements to access
- the provision of advice to dog owners about responsible dog ownership
The group is now in the process of organising family friendly events in the park, such as Nature Walks and will be issuing a quarterly newsletter with news and information about the park.
If you are interested in being part of the Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park group then the Council would like to hear from you. The group will meet regularly to discuss events and projects, such as nature walks, supported by the Council as well as discussing any issues the Council needs to be made aware of such as anti-social behaviour or repairs that may be required within the park.
To find out more about becoming a friend of Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park, there will be an open meeting at 7.30pm on Thursday 25 March 2010 at Edwards Hall Primary School, Macmurdo Road, Eastwood, Leigh on Sea (entry via Bosworth Road). If you are unable to attend this meeting, but wish to be kept informed of the progress of the group or become involved in the project please e-mail beafriend@rochford.gov.uk marking the email ‘Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park’ or call Heather Meggison on 01702 318057.
May 30th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Cherry Orchard Country Park – Fishing?
Is fishing allowed on any part of the large pond in the park? Appreciate half is fenced off and marked no entry to preserve the nests of the birds. Does that mean the non fenced area is OK to fish? No signs displayed saying No Fishing but I never like to assume.
Would make a lovely spot to fish if that were part of the plans.
Would be lovely to take my sons fishing there if that were ever under consideration.
June 7th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Many thanks for your comment.
I have passed this query to the relevant department and am awaiting a reply. We will post more details as soon as we have them.
Many thanks.
June 9th, 2010 at 10:07 am
Statement regarding fishing –
Fishing is permitted in the unfenced area.
June 26th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
Hi,
Was just wondering if dogs were allowed in the lakes at the park?
Thanks
July 1st, 2010 at 2:15 pm
Dogs are allowed in the lake at Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park, however, we would request that dogs are kept to the open end of the lake, so that they do not disturb the nesting birds or waterfowl in the fenced off area of the lake. Regulations regarding lakes or ponds in other parks in the District may differ, if you require information on the other lakes or ponds please contact 01702 318057.
July 29th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Re Fishing in the lake, please do not encourage this as any discarded line or tackle is dangerious for birds and dogs alike as NOT all fisherman are responsible.
July 31st, 2010 at 10:38 pm
The water level in Cherry Orchard Lake seems to be dangerously low. Can you tell me if this is due to natural reasons. I was wondering if it is being drained for some reason. Also, I see from previous posts that dogs are allowed in the unfenced area of the lake. As a regular visitor to the lake I find it disturbing to see the damage the dogs do to the environment. They regularly frighten the ducklings and the fish. Tonight I saw a group of children with their parents climbing the fences, jumping into the water and playing with the lifebuoy. I appreciate that the area is for public enjoyment but surely the environment needs to be protected to a larger extent than at present. Thank you.
July 31st, 2010 at 10:44 pm
Can you tell me if the lake is a natural one or was it man made? Also, can you tell me why the water level is so low? It does concern me as it seems to be getting lower and lower. Can you please advise. Regards.
August 3rd, 2010 at 10:41 am
@ Kay Abbey
Thank you for your comment. Currently there are no byelaws to prevent fishing in the lake. The Council is currently in the process of updating and making byelaws for the parks and open spaces in the district and whether fishing is allowed to continue or not will be considered during the formulation of these byelaws. The public will be able to comment on the proposed byelaws before they are finalised later this year.
August 3rd, 2010 at 10:43 am
@ Anne Neville
At present the water level is low due to natural reasons and it has not been topped up due to the fact that we have had to carry out some essential work to repair the outlet pipe and to reinforce some of the banks. Although the lake appears to be very low, it is approximately 3 metres deep in the centre, therefore there is no danger to the wildlife. Once we are sure that the repairs that have taken place, have been successful, we will apply for permission from the Environment Agency to refill the lake.
As you say, the area is there for public enjoyment and we do try to encourage people to enjoy the area responsibly, however there are always some sections of the community who will behave irresponsibly, including some dog owners. Dogs are allowed in the unfenced area of the lake and we have put notices explaining that it is an offence to disturb nesting birds to try to stop people letting their dogs enter the fenced off end, but these frequently get torn down and have to be replaced. In addition to this, the area is regularly visited by woodlands officers who will advise people on their behaviour, (they often have to retrieve the life buoys from the lake or river – only last Friday some children were caught with the life buoys in the river), but unfortunately they cannot be there all the time.
Currently the Council is in the process of updating and making byelaws for the parks and open spaces in the district, that may include swimming in this lake. Once these have been made, we will be able to deal with some of this irresponsible behaviour.
August 3rd, 2010 at 10:43 am
@ Peter
Thank you for your comment. The lake is man made and was constructed 6 to 7 years ago. At present the water level is low due to the fact that we have had to carry out some essential work to repair the outlet pipe and to reinforce some of the banks. Although the lake appears to be very low, it is approximately 3 metres deep in the centre, therefore there is no danger to the wildlife. Once we are sure that the repairs that have taken place have been successful, we will apply for permission from the Environment Agency to refill the lake.
August 8th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
Two things pls.
Can I become a “friend” by paying on line direct. If so how? If not, how?
Could I suggest “a lost and found” link. I recently mislaid a pair of bonoculars [field glasses] in the park and believe it could be of real value. Pls advise.
Thanks all
August 10th, 2010 at 11:14 am
Can you please confirm how to access Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park please.
Thank you Patricia
August 11th, 2010 at 10:03 am
Thank you for your comment.
Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park can be reached from the following locations: Gusted Hall Lane, Hawkwell (this lane is not suitable for motor vehicles); Cherry Orchard Way (B1013) Rochford (there is a footpath at one end Cherry Orchard Way and a bridleway at the other end); a footpath in Blatches Chase (off Western Approaches) Eastwood; the footpath at the end of Eastwood Rise, Eastwood; the footpath at the end of Flemings Farm Lane, Leigh on sea and via footpath links from Hockley Woods, Main Road, Hockley.
Currently there is no parking allowed on any part of Blatches Chase, Eastwood or within the park. The nearest car park is in Edwards Hall Park, Bosworth Road, Eastwood. This car park is open during park opening hours. However, there are plans to build a car park at the eastern end of Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park off of the B1013 within the next year.
August 16th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Thank you for your comments. Although the Friends of Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park is supported by the Council and the events and activities that it carries out are with the consent of Rochford District Council as volunteers, it is a group in its own right and as a such, has a constitution and bank account. At present, membership of the group is £5.00 and this can be obtained by contacting the groups Chairman Graham Hutchinson for an application form and details of where to send the application form and fee. Mr Hutchinson’s details can be found on the Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country page of the Councils website, however we have sent these details to you via your email address. At present the group does not have its own website, but paying for membership on line, may be something that the group may be able to set up when they have developed their own website.
Similarly, regarding lost and found property, once the group have a website, this may be one of the links that they can provide. In the meantime, you will have noticed that the Friends group have some notice boards in the park, you are very welcome to put up a ‘lost’ notice on these boards and we will also pass your details to the groups the secretary, who will be able to keep a lost and found register.
January 29th, 2011 at 7:35 pm
I would dearly like to see fishing available on your beautiful lake. As a community facility it would be unfair to ban this relaxing pastime. I understand the concerns of abandoned tackle but fisherman also care a great deal for and to protect the wildlife. In these respects a simple list of rules could be introduced and regulated by certain respected community individuals. I would be more than willing to help out myself i have witnessed the gorgeous stock of fish in the lake and it would be a shame not to see them provide pleasure for the community.
February 2nd, 2011 at 12:23 pm
Dear Mr Dunkley,
You can find information about fishing at Cherry Orchard Park near the bottom of this page on our main website here:
http://www.rochford.gov.uk/leisure_and_tourism/woodlands_and_parks/cherry_orchard_country_park.aspx
Admin
April 18th, 2011 at 10:03 am
Please clarify how I can become a Friend of Cherry Orchard Park please.
Many thanks Patricia
April 18th, 2011 at 11:10 am
Dear Patricia,
To become involved in the project please e-mail beafriend@rochford.gov.uk marking the email ‘Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park’ or call Heather Meggison on 01702 318057.
regards
admin
April 18th, 2011 at 9:03 pm
Rubbish left in the woods.
Last Sunday three of us [fellow dog walkers] cleared up a considerable mess left behind by some ignorant campers from the night before. We removed beer cans, bottles, the discarded tent, ground sheet, etc., and took it to the litter bin area. We were unable to clear up the smashed bottles and cans in the remnants of the fire still smuldering. The toilet paper and human faecal mess scattered within a 20 metre radius is another matter.
We have done this several times last year as its the right thing to do to keep our park tidy and I guess we will continue doing so, but clearly, it does annoy us.
Just think if a young child who might run through this mess.
Can the council pls consider putting up some signage in the park entrences to ask campers to basically clear up after themselves, ensure the fire is exstinguished and to bury their toilet waste and to remove their litter appropriately.
Would be interested to see what other comments others might have to say. Thanks.
April 28th, 2011 at 12:12 pm
Thank you for your blog comment regarding the rubbish left in the woods at Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park.
I do understand your frustration and anger at the irresponsible attitude of some of the users of this park. Unfortunately, this problem is not just confined to this park, but all the parks and open spaces within the district.
I know that you are aware of the friends group for this park, many of whom do exactly the same as yourself, – clearing up after other peoples mess, especially around the lake area. Our woodlands officers also carry out litter picking and rubbish clearance too, but our parks and open spaces are large and the officers may not always be aware of the locations of where such rubbish has been left. If you come across such sites in the future, please do let us know and we will arrange to get the area cleared as soon as possible. It would also be very helpful if you could take photographs of the problem so that we can evidence the problems that we have and perhaps publish these to try to shame some of these people into clearing up after themselves in the future. (You may be interested to know that we are in the planning stages of a campaign to highlight littering and dog fouling throughout the district as we are concerned about this problem and such photographs would be useful).
We do have on order some more litter bins for the park, but we wanted to ensure that these bins are sympathetic to the park and I think that they are due to be delivered sometime soon. In addition to this, when we place bins in the park, we have to consider that they have to be emptied and hence there has to be vehicular access to the bins throughout the year.
We are also in the process of sorting out signage for the park, but we want to get this right. We also need to balance the need for bins and signage with the fact that it is a country park and we want to keep it as natural as possible. We have put up RSPCA ‘Your Litter Can Kill’ posters in various places around the parks, but these are often torn down, similar to those notices that we are constantly replacing around the lake asking people not to fish in the fenced off end of the lake.
Regarding the signage asking campers to clear up after themselves, ensure fires are extinguished etc., this is a tricky one, we don’t want to give the impression that we approve of these activities. We have a similar dilemma with dog walkers who bag their dogs mess and throw/hang it in the trees, if we highlight it in an press article, it can cause more problems with people getting the idea that it might be a good idea to throw it about!
We are still looking at the prospect of new relevant byelaws for the parks, but Central Government are going through a process of making the formulation of such byelaws easier hence we are waiting for the new guidance on this.
admin
May 10th, 2011 at 8:28 am
Hi, just wanted to check with you in relation to fishing in the lake, what fish are in there and does it cost to fish in the lake? This is a lovley lake, never heared or seen this before and I only live through the woods. How long has this been here?
May 11th, 2011 at 10:32 am
Dear Mr Cowell,
You can find information about fishing at Cherry Orchard Park near the bottom of this page on our main website here:
http://www.rochford.gov.uk/leisure_and_tourism/woodlands_and_parks/cherry_orchard_country_park.aspx
We did not stock the lake with fish, these have been placed by unknown people.
Admin
June 5th, 2011 at 6:20 pm
Awful mess again in the woods found this morning. A complete camp site strewn accross the ground, with the now “norm” bottles, cans, plastic bags, and other dross. Luckly the fire was out.
I am concerned one day, the fire will not be out and we will no longer have aan ancient woodland to see, pleasure and walk through.
Really wish these revellers would show a little responsibility and tidy up after themselves, thats all.
June 9th, 2011 at 10:05 am
Thank you for your comments.
Regarding fishing in the fenced off area, we are constantly replacing the signage at the lake, unfortunately this is constantly torn down, however, we do have plans to install permanent signage at the lake. In the meantime, we have increased our visits to the lake area of the park to ensure that users are aware of their responsibilities and why they should not enter the fenced off area. In addition to this, we have arranged for the Environment Agency to carry out patrols of the lake area to advise and enforce the National Rod Fishing Byelaws.
With regard to the issues of camping and the rubbish discarded around these camp sites, the majority of this is taking place in the woodland to the north of the River Roach which is not actually part of the park. This woodland is privately owned, but if you report incidents to us, we will let the land owners know
October 4th, 2011 at 7:01 pm
Hi all:
It’s nice for once to comment on a possitive thing. No litter….
As usual, I went for a walk accross the park and around the lake this weekend, noticed on Saturday a fisherman setting up for an all nighter. On Sunday morning I notices him and his friend packing up his camp sight, etc. When I returned, the area was spotless, just a 300mm circle of ash in the grass. Absolutely marvelous!!
If I was earlier I would have thanked them both. A role model for others
Lets hope this becomes the norm eh
Tony
October 10th, 2011 at 3:18 pm
Thank you for your comment.
We are happy that some fishermen are being responsible and are ensuring that they clear up after themselves.
However, we would appreciate it if all park users would not light fires anywhere within the park as these can be a fire hazard and damage the grass.
October 31st, 2011 at 9:04 pm
Does the stream that passes to the north of the lake have a name? also where does it start and finish.
thanks paul
November 1st, 2011 at 4:03 pm
Dear Mr Forsdick,
Thank you for your comment.
This is part of the River Roach, the river enters the park from the Grove Park/ Rayleigh Sewage works area. It then flows through the park before exiting it under the B1013 Cherry Orchard Way carrying on through Rochford to the reservoir, before going under B1013 Southend Road, past the Horse and Groom public house before eventually flowing out to sea.
Admin
January 7th, 2012 at 11:25 am
Hi all, happy new year to everyone.
This morning I noticed there has been fishing in the restricted area again, obvious by the litter, empty bags [fish food] and tin cans sweet-corn] left behind behind the fence or just jammed in the mesh.
I did jump over and tidied it up and binned it. Do you know, it was really easy!!!!
A real shame some people just do not care, people we could do well without… Cant say anymore they dont know.
Q. Is there anything happening in the pipeline to stop this in the future?
Would appreciate a comment, thanks.
January 12th, 2012 at 12:49 pm
Thank you for your comments.
As you are aware, the Country Park is relatively new and the Council is committed to improving and developing this park. As such there are various options being considered to reduce anti social behaviour such as this but we must ensure that the right option is chosen.
Unfortunately, whichever option is eventually picked there will always be people who do not care and will flout the rules. In the meantime, the lake area is visited regularly by our open spaces team who litter pick the area and advise visitors to the lake regarding their behaviour.