Steam to Dream Draft 1

From steam to dream Deon Walker Giving nature a helping hand

Working copy only Feb.2022

This is a draft working copy Page left blank

Introduction

Very close to the dual cariageway of the A303 busy with holiday traf c travelling to Devon and Cornwall there is an inauspicios patch of land which through one man was destined to become a wild life haven . He regularly monitored the wild life in the area around Martock. He concieved the idea to turn this area back to nature.

After several years of fruitless appeal a chance meeting with someone in authority at The Highways Agency, who manage the area, brought agreement of his proposal to bring nature back to the area. Then with a group of local enthusiats over they have nutured it back from, neglect, pollution and past exploitation into a small reserve.

Now Barn Owls, Orchids, Moon moths, King shers and much more are found where once oil polluted waterway, industrial waste and remnants of railway ballast and artifacts once The Triangle with restored pond littered the area,

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This little booklet records through artistic skethes, made by that organiser, the life that has returned to this small patch of Somerset. It is a tribute to the dedication of the volunteers who have shown what can happen to a waste and derelect area of land if through the care and hardwork of an enthustic group the “doors are open” and nature is invited to return.

Martock Junction

Where trains once passed steaming here and there No butter ies of owers but no one cared With Beeching ’twas all swept away Nature left bare, bereft , along that way

Then and now - Between Yeovil and Martock,

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But now it’s different so good to know Where once was concrete rare owers grow Tufted Ducks on pond, dragon ies dart To watch it all uplifts the heart

My sketches all things there I’ve seen Where no longer go machines of steam Yellow necked mouse, blood veined moth Orchids, shepherds purse once lost Now returned to where they belong Could I but sketch that wrens’ song

A page of the recordings made of the ever evolving species of plants and animals of the reserve.

By 2021approximately 1000 recordings

Dion’s description of how he made his recordings.

E.G. Standing, listening and watching.

Binoculars in hand. Sometimes having to return several times to ensure thhings were

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Black Berry

Square stemmed St John’s wort

Honey Suckle

Garlic mustard

Bush vetch

Primrose

Common vetch Cowslip Ladies smock

Jew Berry

Bougle

Herb Robert

Hairy tare

Red Clover

Red dead nettle White dead nettle

Hairy nettle crest

Chickweed Shepard’s purse

Red campion

Glensel Black thorn

Field buttercup

Some commentary here of how the recordings were/ are made.

Picture of Dion recording. Specials like the barn owls after only 2 weeks.

Rarities. Aspirations. Surprises. Volunteers. Funding.

What next.

Contact details.

Open to public?

Curled Dock.

Ness weed Marsh Orchid

Meadow Chomeskiss

Hemlock Water Deepslack

Rose hip

Dog Rose

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These plants grow on damp soil and ower at various times from March to September.

They are found on acid soil . The meadow chomeskiss is the principle food for the moon moth catipilers. The plants were rst ………….