Fruit Of Labours

For the Wear Valley Mercury (Oct 29)

Otterly brilliant: Volunteers install an otter holt

By Ryan Pilot

A WEAR Valley group has bagged an award for transforming their nature reserve into a haven for wildlife and visitors.

Hedleyhope Community Association was given the Green Heroes Northern Community Group of the Year award for regenerating the Hedleyhill Colliery Wood and Meadow.

The hardworking group regimented a traditional woodland management programme to whip it into shape and win the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers' prize.

Volunteers built bridges, created footpaths and installed bird boxes, bat boxes and otter holts and a variety of species have blossomed in the reserve's meadows.

Chair of the Environment Group Clare Ross said: "It's a fantastic achievement for the members who have worked so hard to improve this land for people and wildlife."

The association leased the 13 hectare plot in 2005 with a grant from the Big Lottery Fund. It is built on the site of two collieries, which makes the soil nutrient-poor.

But conditions have proven perfect for the brightly coloured waxcap mushroom - and many varieties have popped up in the reserve's meadows this year.

The meadows provide the rare environment required to create the "waxcap grasslands" that the funghi require - thanks to the sheep that graze there during winter.

Waxy Wonder: A waxcap mushroom

The association is the only community group in the North East receiving grants from the Forestry Commission, who provided 50 bird boxes. They are about to provide a grant for the nurturing of at-risk birds like the Willow Tit and the Spotted Fly Catcher.

The small group have improved the reserve for people as well as wildlife, providing guided walks and hosting children's groups. Artistic carved benches are currently being added and paths are maintained to the highest quality.

Mrs Ross said: "It has improved the biodiversity in the meadow, but we have also improved it for people."

Tree-mendous effort: Youngsters plant a sapling

Remarkably, the reserve's woodland grows flowers usually found in ancient woodland - such as blue bell and dog's mercury - despite being felled and naturally regenerated years ago.

The Hedleyhopers are hoping for more volunteers as groupds like theirs face hardship as grants dry up following Government budget cuts.

Urging others to get involved Ms Ross said: "It's good for your mental health - you can meet new people, learn new skills and do something positive to help the environment and wildlife."

Already a Local Wildlife Site, Durham County Council have promised to dedicate the land as aLocal Nature Reserve - to recognise its educational services - but the group are still waiting for the confirmation that will secure its future.

Date Anger Lead to Crash

For the Wear Valley Mercury (Oct 29)

By Ryan Pilot

A HEARTBROKEN businessman crashed while chasing the mother of his child as she snook off with an internet date.

Ian McDonald received a call from his hysterical teenage daughter informing him that her mother, Mary McGregor, had gone on a date with a man she had found online, a court heard.

Mr McDonald, 39, raced hom to Becket Close in Ehterley Dene from Leeds afer hearing the man had been let into the house he still shared with ex-partner Ms McGregor and their 16-year-old daughter, magistrates were told.

He followed Ms McGregor as she went to meet John Allen at 8pm - causing her to panic and go straight to the police station.

He pursued her again at 9pm in a Vauxhall Vectra down Woodhouse Lane as she travelled in Mr Allen's Audi A3.

It was stated to the court that Mr McDonald hit the back of the Audi as he drove carelessly - causing more than £2,000 worth of damage.

Not realising he had hit the car, Mr McDonald didn't stop. He later discovered minor damage to his front bumper, but failed to notify police of the accident.

Speaking at Bishop Auckland Magistrates Court, defence solicitor Clive Booth described Mr McDonald as driving in "very sad and distressing circumstances."

He explained to the court how Mr McDonald had suspected Ms McGregor to be looking for men on dating websites before they split a year ago.

But he still went "out of his way to do his utmost to maintain the relationship" - even paying for cosmetic surgery for Ms McGregor's nose.

Ms McGregor continued to seek internet love after her relationship with Mr McDonald broke down.

Their daughter now refuses to speak to her mum after finding obscene messages on her computer. A top student, her school work has suffered as a result of the stress brought on by what happened, the court heard.

Mr McDonald pleaded guilty to harassment, careless driving and failing to report an accident. He received five penalty points on his driving licence and was fined a total of £445 - which included compensation for Mr Allen.

Ms McGregor did not wish to pursue the harassment charge - which usually results in a restraining order - due to their living together. They also share a mortgage, a taxi business and a corner shop.

Red Left For Dead

For the Wear Valley Mercury (Oct 29)

Pics of red squirrels at Killhope by Phil Curtis.

Decision is nuts: A Killhope red squirrel

By Ryan Pilot

WEAR Valley's last bastion for red squirrels will receive no help from a North East body as the county is surrendered to the invasive greys.

The war on the grey is long fought in the North East, but the Durham front is to be abandoned as new funding focuses on Northumberland, Cumbria and North Yorkshire.

Save Our Squirrels (SOS) received £50,000 this month from the Heritage Lottery Fund to help North East Reds - but will not be spending it on County Durham due to its lack of red strongholds.

An SOS spokesperson said: "Northumberland, Cumbria and the tip of Yorkshire have red squirrel strongholds. Lots of places like Durham - there are red squirrels but they have smaller pockets."

There are 17 strongholds in the North East - none of them in County Durham which is over-run by the squirrel pox-carrying greys. The pox does not affect the American grey, but is deadly to the red.

Durham Wildlife Trust director Jim Corkhill said: "The national strategy to conserving red squirrels is to protect areas where there are still reasonable populations. We don't have any significant large populations left in County Durham."

But Killhope Lead Mining Museum is continuing the fight for the Durham reds singlehandedly. Their population diminished after last year's harsh winter and the removal of nearby Forestry Commission woodland - but is quickly recovering.

Visitor services officer Shelagh Connor said: "Towards the end of the summer we have seen them returning - they're nothing like the number we have seen in the past - but where there's two there'll soon be more if you know what I mean!"

In the red: Squirrel numbers are dwindling in Durham

Young Hope: A baby squirrel brings optimism for Durham reds

Staff feed squirrels with a buffet of nuts daily and provide traps for nearby residents who spot greys to catch and kill them - maintaining a grey-free zone.

Disappointed with the SOS decision, Ms Connor added: "I don't know how significant our red squirrel population is nationally. But any red population should be helped really, so they should help us, give us their money!"

Despite visitors coming from far and wide to see Killhope's reds, it is not viewed as an area of significance by SOS.

Ms Connor added: "I don't know what qualifies to put us on the map. We don't have help from outside organisations - it's the staff mainly. We're pretty much on our own."