*******
Have a look at the 1965 Yorkshire Film Archive film, a
20 min film about Isaac Button, Soil Hill Pottery.
*******
Green Flag Award
We would appreciate it if you would click here to
go to the Green Flag website. Then one more click enables you to vote
for Ogden Water as your favourite Green Flag site to visit!
*******
Link
to rare ogden water related bird sightings
The West Yorkshire Geology Trust have devised a geology
walk for Ogden!
*******
The new Permanent Orienteering Course maps are now available at the
Visitor Centre. £1.50 each. More have just been ordered, as they
are proving very popular, particularly with school groups.
There are also some free leaflets about orienteering in
the Visitor Centre.
*******
If you have enjoyed your visit to Ogden Water, please
write to:-Calderdale M.B.C.
Town Hall
Crossley Street
Halifax HX1 1UJ
www.calderdale.gov.uk
or/and
Yorkshire Water PLC
Western House
Western Way
Bradford BD6 2LZ
www.yorkshirewater.com
But if you had problems and or didn't enjoy your visit,
contact Robin Dalton, Manager, Ogden Water Country Park, Ogden
Lane, Keighley Road, Halifax, HX2 8YA or ring 01422 249136 ogden.water@calderdale.gov.uk.
For a speedy response.
*******
Do you have any anecdotes, pictures, or short stories
of trips to Ogden in the past, ie. donkeys years ago! If you have, please
get in touch with Robin.
*******
If you are planning to bring a party of people on a visit to Ogden
Water, you could contact the Rangers to make sure the facilities will
be available when you come.
*******
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Twitter, 06/08/10
The strange apparatus on the Promenade over the past
few weeks has been a drilling rig. The drill has been taking cores of
the substrate right into the heart of the dam (upto a depth of 30metres).
These cores will help determine the exact nature of the dam embankment
and more importantly, after laboratory tests, its stability. Interestingly,
at the eastern end they managed to happily drill down to 28metres, but
on the western side, they could only drill to 15m before hitting what
appeared to be bedrock. These works could be the harbinger of extensive
and expensive modifications to the embankment at Ogden.
Robin D
Current status of Friends Group. July
2010.
It was
decided at the recent Committee Meeting that the group will be inactive
for the next few months due to uncertainty over the future management
of the site. The Countryside Service is undergoing a restructure and
until the reorganisation is decided upon it will be difficult to move
forward with any decisions. This means that we can’t arrange
a date for the AGM and it would be unhelpful to do so at this moment
in time.
The Friends of Ogden Water needs to move forward with whatever new management
strategies are put in place and the new committee, whoever it is comprised
of, will be better placed to do this when all the information is available.
We have made a meaningful and valuable contribution to the condition
and reputation of Ogden Water over the last 6 years and it is sincerely
hoped that this will continue. The Committee will communicate any developments
as and when they arise.
Craig Spencer, Chair, May 2010
21/06/2010 Twitter
Every now and then events occur that
highlight the huge contribution made by voluntary staff at Ogden Water.
Firstly, a re-structure and re-budget has meant staffing levels at Ogden
are lower now than in previous years. So, as the summer busy period was
about to get underway, it did look as if it would be a struggle to keep
the estate to a good level of maintenance. On cue, the trusty and hard
working band of volunteers whom work alongside countryside service staff
stepped forward and are helping to plug the staffing shortfall.
Of course, alongside their hard work, the volunteers are also exceptionally
dedicated and can volunteer for quite some number of years. Again, events
in the visitor centre have highlighted this. For those who have visited
on Fridays, you may know the familiar face of Shiela Bentley. She has
decided to finish at the end of June after an amazing 21 years working
with the Countryside Service. We all wish her the very best as she hangs
up her shop keys and closes the till for the last time and heads off
to enjoy a relaxing and well deserved summer retirement.
And as its probably not said enough, a huge thank-you to Shiela and the
volunteers, one and all. Robin
21/06/2010 Robin Twitter
Note on Summer Works:- Yorkshire Water will be doing
3 weeks of work on the dam embankment from 12th July. This will involve
the placement of drilling rigs on the Promenade walkway for investigative
works to assess the stability of the embankment. Don’t worry, though,
its not suddenly going to go and you’ll still be able to walk across.
The results of this survey work will determine whether a larger remedial
scheme is necessary in the very near future
21/04/10 Twitter
Staffing Changes at Ogden Water.
Many of you will have heard rumours of forthcoming changes to staffing
at Ogden Water. A re-structuring of the way the department runs means
that both Robin and Dave will be switching to area officer roles. Dave
will be emigrating West to oversee operations in the Western/Upper Valley
area of Calderdale, whilst Robin is being exported South to the Lower
valley region.
However, contrary to the popular enthusiasm, don’t celebrate too
soon as they won’t be away just yet! The process will be transitional
and no doubt take many weeks, particularly as there will be a position
vacancy to fill for Ogden and the surrounding area. So there could well
be some new faces around in the future, hopefully giving the site a new
lease of life (possibly literally) and a good sweep out of some of the
settled dust and cobwebs!! Watch this space.
09/02/10 Twitter
The "Green Flag" vote is doing very well, (see left), and the
last time I looked we were in third position. We need as many votes as
we can get to stay there or get higher!
David
22/12/09 Twitter
When Webmaster Anthony asks for some 'Twitter', I interpret
the phrase in such a way as to provide him with some light banter to
put on the website. However, this time a cloud has drifted over the Ogden
horizon (again!), and the Twitter has a slightly sour taste - for which
I apologise at this time of seasonal joviality. For hopefully the last
time in 2009, me and Dave arrived up to Ogden on Monday 21st December
to find the security grill and door to our store 'blasted' open. Once
again, our chainsaws, strimmers and drills had been stolen. Merry Xmas
to all readers. Humbug.
Cheers, Robin
14/11/09 Twitter
Its been quite hectic at Ogden over the
last few weeks. First the Annual Yorkshire Bogart Festival which started
in September and ran right through to Halloween. Around 50 of the little
creatures secreted themselves around the woodland trail.
Halloween was once again a great success, mainly thanks to the girls
from Overgate Hospice, the Total Awareness Promotions (Children's Charity),
the Ogden Volunteers and of course the members of the Friends of Ogden.
Just short of 2,000 people turned up for the most frightening guided
walk of the year. A magnificent firework display by Calderdale Councils
pyrotechnic department heralded the arrival of the Woodland Wizard, who
then led the throng around the waterside path and safely past all the
ghosts and ghoulies.
Both Calderdale and Ogden became the stars of television, when BBC's
Countryfile arrived up to film a short on Christmas tree recycling. To
be screened on their Christmas special on Sunday 20th December. Presenter
James Wong first explored Calderdale Parks methods of composting the
trees, then looked at how at Odgen, we replant healthy trees and use
the remainder to provide an instant habit hedge around the reservoir.
David
29/07/09 Twitter: Pirates
and Parrots!
When running 'drop-in' events at Ogden Water, you never really know
how many people will turn up. However, if the weather forecast is poor,
and the threat of drizzle/rain hangs in the air, its a sure bet that
attendances will be lower. Well, this was the view I held until recently.
Certain themed events always pull in a good number, and not even the
dubious weather could halt the tide of families that swept in to the
Pirates and Parrots event on Friday 24th July.
Led by acclaimed environmental educator, Gordon McLellan, the day saw
nearly 200 children turn up, with accompanying adults. All had great
fun making pirate puppets, ships, maps and building pirate settlements
in the woods, and all graciously accepted the chaos of a busy day! So,
despite the weather (although it didn't turn out to be too bad...), the
day was a success, much to my happy surprise/relief. Most shocked I think
was Gordon, who had aged several years by the end of the session, and
now really knew what is was to run a busy event in the true Ogden style....
Robin
11/07/09 Twitter:
A team of Friends managed to repaint the gates today
with a coat of Hammerite Black. They look like new! The area is also
now litter free again.
07/06/09 Ranger Twitter:
BBC Springwatch Mini Beast Day at Ogden Water.
On Sunday 7th June, Ogden hosted 'Mini Beast Madness', one of a national
series of events celebrating BBC Springwatch Weekend. This event was
backed by grant money from the BBC Big Lottery Fund. Thanks to the help
of Friends of Ogden, Calderdale Council Staff and volunteers, several
activities were in place for people to enjoy.
By far the noisiest activity was the mini beast house construction area,
where over 40 boxes were built during the course of the day. Thankfully,
the loud thumps of the hammer were only accompanied by a very occasional
scream as adults missed the nail completely with the hammer. More gentle
activities included pond dipping, insect sweep netting on the moors,
wildflower planting, face painting and bumblebee displays. Although quieter
than hoped for, the weather stayed dry and all visitors enjoyed the various
activities.
See the photographs taken by
Jan Buckley!
Robin
01/06/09 Ranger Twitter:
Sunny, warm days at Ogden are a mixed blessing. Although we enjoy the warmth,
and the estate buzzes with visitors, our attention turns towards the
reservoir. Despite the Friends placing 100's of Christmas trees around
the reservoir, a few determined people still battle through branch, thorn
and nettle to get down to the water for a paddle or a swim. I can see
the attraction myself, but obviously the dangers of freezing cold water
and hidden currents mean folk need to be told to return to the path.
By 4:00 on some sunny days we look to the skies hoping for clouds and
start chanting for rain....
Robin
15/05/09 Ranger Twitter:
When
I’m asked, I’ll always say Ogden Water looks at its best
during the first weeks of Spring. This year really has confirmed that
opinion. The bursting of the young buds and fresh green growth on the
trees gives the Reserve an air of renewal and vitality, all enhanced
by the bright sunny days we’ve been having. The only down side
is the dawn chorus of staff moaning about the mowing as a new season
starts.
Two arrests by Halifax Police will have hopefully brought to a conclusion a spate
of recent break-ins at Ogden. Stolen machinery may yet be returned and maybe
the thieves even had time to fix the broken drill they stole.... In any case,
well done and thanks to the Police for their help, efforts and time.
Robin
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