Sponsored mutt strut and fun dog show - Sat June 26th

Snuff Mills is a great place for dogs. And to celebrate this we have organised a sponsored mutt strut and fun dog show on Saturday June 26th.

Join us from 1.30pm and take your dog on a three mile walk from Snuff Mills car park to Frenchay Bridge returning through Oldbury Court. You can email us at snuffmills@hotmail.co.uk for your sponsor form. We are raising money for the restoration of Snuff Mills, but half of the sponsor money will be shared between Bristol Dogs and Cats Home and Dog Action Welfare Group Bristol to help dogs that have fallen on hard times.

After the walk there will be a fun dog show at 4pm. You can enter your dog in a range of categories. Who will have the waggiest tail? Which dogs will be crowned king and queen of Snuff Mills? Every winning dog will get a special rosette and all dogs will be given treats thanks to Pets at Home at the Eastgate Centre. There will also be stalls selling doggie related things too.

The dog pictured is Ollie, a much loved and dearly missed friend.

Nest boxes destroyed

Three of the nest boxes built and put up by children from Begbrook school were destroyed on Friday night. The children who built the boxes had only been out to the valley a couple of weeks ago and were so pleased when they saw their nest boxes being used. I guess they'll be devastated when they are told what has happened.

One other nest box has also been vandalised so that it can no longer be used by nesting birds. All three of the destroyed nest boxes had baby blue tits or long tailed tits in and the parents were feeding the young. All of the babies have died, or should we say murdered.

Have a look at a live webcam from another blue tit box to show what should be happening in the next boxes that have been destroyed.
http://www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/news.htm#bluetitcam
Makes you feel sick doesn't it?

Snuff Mills photographic competition

Update: There are just a few days left to enter, so get those entries in now!

2010 sees the first ever Snuff Mills Action Group photography competition. You can submit photographs in 3 different age groups: 11 Years and Under; 12-16 Years; and 17+/Adult. And there are 4 main categories:

Wildlife: Animals – images of wild animals, birds or insects.
Wildlife: Plants and Trees – images that focus on plants or trees [individual close-ups, small groups or drifts of similar plants (e.g. bluebells)]
People & Pets in and Around Snuff Mills – images that focus on people and/or pets enjoying Snuff Mills
Landscape – images showing broader landscape themes [no people]

There will also be one special general category [no age group] for Best Historical Photo.

The judges will be looking for photos that are well composed, with good use of light, and contain a strong visual impact that fits the individual theme.

Rules:
• Photos can be in black and white or colour and should be submitted as a print. [Acceptable sizes: Minimum 9 x 6 inches up to a Maximum 10 x 8 inches.]
• Photos should not be obvious digital 'creations' or excessively manipulated.
• A maximum of 5 images can be submitted by any one person.
• All images must be taken in and around Snuff Mills or the local Frome Valley area.
• All images must be submitted with an entry form with relevant fees.
• Please write name, address, category and age group on the reverse of all submitted prints.
• The closing date for all entries is 30 September 2010.

Entrance Fees:
11 Years and Under FREE
12-16 Years 50p
17+ years/Adult £1.00

Prizes:
Each subject category will have an Age Group Winner and the winning image will be mounted and framed. [Certificates may also be awarded to commended runners-up.] Each age group will also have one Overall Winner, who will receive £50 photographic tokens/vouchers.

Entry Forms:
Please request an entry form via email from: SMAG_Photo_Comp@ollis.demon.co.uk

Exhibition and results:
The images will be displayed in an exhibition at Begbrook Primary School on 23 October 2010, when all results will be announced.

Watch over Grove Wood

The Council have today put up three copies of this notice at the entrance to Grove Wood. The notice makes it clear that the landowner cannot put up or alter any fences, gates, wall or other enclosures in Grove Wood or put up buildings, moveable structures works plant or machinery unless planning permission has been obtained from Bristol City Council.

Very recently Mr Jafari threatened that he would put up 'lots of containers' in Grove Wood and the erection of this notice would seem to confirm that the Council have become concerned that he may once again attempt to erect buildings or other structures in Grove Wood. These notices make it clear that such actions would be illegal. Please keep an eye over Grove Wood over the next few days. If you notice anything untoward taking place, call the planning enforecement team at Bristol City Council on 922 3000. Also contact your local Councillor, Lesley Alexander and send us an email at snuffmills@hotmail.co.uk Someone from the Action Group will be there as soon as possible.

Mr Jafari is due to attend Court soon to account for his lack of action in removing the container.
Update: The notice was also advertised in the Evening Post on May 13th on page 35. Assuming that this notice has also been served on the landowner directly, there can be no excuse for anyone if they flout this order.