The Footprint Trust are now recruiting cemetery wardens who will receive free training on how to manage these open spaces for wildlife, heritage and the community.

The new IW Cemetery Warden Scheme aims to increase community involvement in local burial grounds and will work with churches and parish councils to conserve and enhance these special places. Preference will be given to wardens for west wight cemeteries.

To find out more on the scheme contact the Footprint Trust on 822282 or email info@footprint-trust.co.uk

The IW Cemetery Warden Scheme is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, through the West Wight Landscape Partnership and supported by the IW Council.

Sometime during 22nd or 23rd October, vast swarms of harlequin ladybirds arrived all along the south coast of the Island, having travelled across the Channel on warm winds from the south. Many people noticed them swarming on the outsides of houses and on the ground.

The last time anything like this happened was in the Autumn of 2007. These are not our native ladybirds but a very successful introduced species which are now looking for places to hibernate. They are very good at consuming aphids but it is believed that they could out-compete our native ladybird species. They are quite harmless to us.

In 2007, when they arrived in huge numbers, we expected to see lot of them the following spring. That did not prove to be the case so a similar pattern may be observed next spring.

Find out more about the Harlequin ladybird here http://www.harlequin-survey.org/

New Pond Wardens Wanted

The Footprint Trust will shortly be seeking funding to train some more pond wardens in 2010. To be able to justify the need they must have a waiting list of keen individuals who would like to train.

There are two forthcoming events at ponds in Ryde and Newport...

The first pond to be worked on will be Treefields Pond on the outskirts of Ryde on Thursday 29th October from 10.30am, during half-term week. This pond is owned by South Wight Housing, who have been working with local residents, the Footprint Trust and the IW Pond Wardens for many years and thus the pond is one of the best in the area for diversity of aquatic life.

The second pond to be managed will be in Seaclose Park, Fairlee Road, Newport, on Saturday 14th November from 10am until noon. This work is being carried out with the support of Newport Parish Council, who brought the pond to the attention of the Footprint Trust last year. The IW Council’s Parks & Countryside section were pleased to be able to co-operate and thus the pond is to get some assistance.

Pond Wardens and local residents are welcome to come along to both events – all children must be accompanied and cared for by parents or guardians.

So if you know of anyone with a keen interest in ponds please get them to give the Footprint Trust a call on 822282 or email ray@footprint-trust.co.uk.

*Please check dates nearer time in case of unforeseen circumstances.