Burton Joyce Online

Activity within Bulcote Farm for the cattle appears to have wained ?

Empty Stock yards ! ..  ..

Vacant pastures  ..  at the moment !

In April, Severn Trent Water began planting maize on a 750-hectare site near Nottingham to be used as fuel for the company’s energy crop anaerobic digestion plant in Stoke Bardolph.

Severn Trent Water has begun work on the UK's first industrial-scale energy crop anaerobic digestion plant at a site in Stoke Bardolph, Nottingham.
The company plans to generate 15GWh of electricity each year by next summer, when the 2MWe energy crop anaerobic digestion plant is due to be completed and commissioned. It plans to use maize as fuel for the digesters. In April, it began planting the crop on a 750 hectare site near Nottingham.
"Each year, 37,000 tonnes of maize silage will be fed into the plant, which will generate power to help run our adjacent sewage treatment works," explained Martin Dent, Severn Trent Water's renewable energy development manager.
"The land has been used for the safe recycling of sewage sludge for many years so cannot be used for food crops. Growing maize for electricity production is an ideal use for this land and is a totally sustainable solution. "
"We already use AD technology to treat sewage sludge and generate electricity at all of our large sewage treatment works, but this is the first time we will be generating electricity from crops," said Martin.
"The project is an important part of our renewable energy expansion programme - by March 2013 we aim to be generating 30 per cent of the power our business requires from renewables, including large wind turbines , other energy crop projects, new hydro generation and additional sewage gas combined heat and power (CHP) plants."
Last year, Severn Trent generated 163GWh of electricity from sewage gas CHP and hydropower. "That's 17.5 per cent of our total electricity needs. It's proof that we're serious about reducing our carbon footprint and reducing the amount of power we import from the national grid," added Martin.

(courtesy of Utility Weekly)

Three engines are used to convert the biogas produced by the digesters into electricity and heat. The heat is used to maintain the

digestion process. Stoke Bardolph can produce up to 5MWh/d of electricity from this renewable resource. This is more than

BCTV and the BJ Old School & Grounds

When BTCV first created the Nature Area it was intended to demonstrate different types of habitat, valuable to both native wildlife and those keen to learn more about wildlife habitat creation and management. Currently the area contains a bog garden, hazel coppice woodland, hedgerow, wild flower area, butterfly area and wildlife pond.

The pond and bog area is a refuge for frogs, newts, toads and numerous other species which ensure that the pond is teeming with life at certain times of year.

The hedgerow has recently been laid. This is a traditional from of hedgerow management which prolongs the life of the hedge and maintains its wildlife value, far more so than other cutting and trimming methods.

There is a good mixture of native trees species including Scots Pine, Ash, Wild Gean, Bird Cherry and Yew. At shrub level there is Hazel, Holly and Dogwood, and the woodland floor includes a range of native wildflowers such as Wood Avens, Herb Robert, Hedge Garlic, Lesser Celandine and Forget-me-not.

The wildflower area may look overgrown but is managed to promote native species. In late summer the area is cut and the arisings are removed. This helps to keep the nutrient level of the soil down and favours native meadow species which thrive in such conditions. Cutting on a more regular basis would deprive the native meadow species of the chance to set seed and leave us with bumper crop of nettles and other dominant species.

The area to the rear of the woodland is used for propagating native trees and for growing fruit and vegetables.

Throughout the year, for 4 days per week we have a groups of adults with learning difficulties and disabilities at the centre who undertake training courses accredited through the Open College Network. These courses cover numerous environmental and horticulture subjects as well as numeracy, literacy and communication skills, and utilise the grounds of the centre for the practical elements of their training.

We will soon be tackling the path and getting that small gate opened up as discussed too

Darren York - Operations Manager - Yorkshire & East Midlands

BTCV, Conservation Training Centre, Burton Joyce

Morris Gleitzman – ‘Once’ and ‘Then’

Looking for good books for children? Morris Gleitzman has tackled a difficult subject for children – persecution of the Jews in WWll – with all the candour and even a little humour that is so typical of his stories.

‘Once’ has been read by Lowdham Primary School’s Year 6 Reading Group, all of whom found it to be a fast-paced sensitive story, which led to a really fascinating discussion. The youngsters who read it were delighted to find that Gleitzman had written a sequel, ‘Then’ and even better news is that in 2010, there will be a third to bring us up to date with the fate of Felix, the young Jewish boy who faced danger, hardship and fear, but whose fighting spirit kept him going in the most heart-rending of circumstances.

Although aimed at children aged around ten to thirteen, these books present a valuable opportunity for parent and child to share the experience of a well written story exploring events of not so very long ago, yet in circumstances we can scarcely begin to comprehend. Highly recommended for your youngsters to read alone, or as books to share.

During the month of July, ‘Once’ and ‘Then’ can be bought together for £10.00 (RRP £11.98). Please quote ‘Burton Joyce Online’.