Now seems a good time of year to catch up with the last few weeks – as we transition from one season to another – and have a peek or two at the lovely corner of Sidmouth known as Glen Goyle…
Here are a few choice excerpts from the FOGG pages, posts and reports…
REPAIRING PATHS
District Council horticultural officer Paul Fealey had secured several loads of aggregate and some railway sleepers to make a particularly tricky part of the path more secure. And together with the FOGG volunteers, town councillor Paul Dodds and district councillor Ian Barlow, Paul set to work and very soon they were able to transform the section of the path into a totally different look – smooth and easy to walk along, with now little fear of tripping over the myriad of roots.
Repairing paths along the Glen – Friends of Glen Goyle
Photo by FOGG member John McGregor of EDDC officer Paul Fealey after a good morning’s work
Several compliments were received from those walking through. One lady with push chair and dog on lead particularly complimentary about our improved footpath. She said she said she really struggled to get through the tree root area before our improvements.
22nd May 2025 – Friends of Glen Goyle
NEW PLANTING
Here’s a photo from [the day’s] work… As John Hopkins [photographer] says, “we hope the echiums develop to full height, as it will be a really good show!” More photos will be forthcoming as the season progresses to show just that!
Spring planting along the Glen – Friends of Glen Goyle
Since its inception, there has been a huge amount of good will, gifts and donations coming from all sides, from local groups and local councils, from very generous local charities, and from neighbours, visitors and individuals who have appreciated the work of the FOGG volunteers along the Glen. As spring gems start appearing along the Glen, one lovely example of such generosity has come with the donation of violets.
Spring gifts along the Glen – Friends of Glen Goyle
BIRD AND BAT BOXES
At Glen Goyle, there have been discussions with and site visits by the Devon Wildlife Trust and national owl conservation groups to see what can be done to make it easier for these guardians of the night to take more purchase on this magical space.
Owls across the Glen – Friends of Glen Goyle
This follows on from a visit last summer:
FOGG folk were joined by Katie Wilkinson, Wilder Communities Team Leader at the DWT. She was not only shown around the Glen and its various habitats, but was very helpful in terms of suggesting sites for bat and owl boxes, hedgehog runs, bug hotels etc.
The Devon Wildlife Trust visits “the wonderful Glen Goyle” – Friends of Glen Goyle
FOGG is delighted to have had its first barn owl box sponsored – by Sally and Steve Jellyman of the Sampson Society. FOGG expects it to be in place by the lawn shortly, once installation has been done by the EDDC team.
FOGG has also been in touch with the Ecology and Environmental Services company Halpin Robbins, who paid the Glen a visit in April – and who have since recommended which bat boxes to purchase, as well as some tips for understanding if they are being occupied by bats. They have also offered to carry out a bi-annual check of the boxes to identify if bats are using them.
FURTHER VISITATIONS AND DONATIONS
Four FOGG members were joined by about twenty members of the Sidmouth Trefoil Guild and friends. The weather was very kind to us, and it was not until we got into the formal gardens of The Belmont Hotel, that the keen breeze coming off the sea, hit us. We were favoured with blue skies all afternoon.
The Trefoil Guild enjoy the early spring down the Glen – Friends of Glen Goyle
There have been all sorts of donations made over the years, including of course from the district council itself, allowing for lots of planting of bulbs along the Glen. Particularly welcome have been the generous private donations bringing back some of the charm of the Glen – and over the coming weeks, the Friends of Glen Goyle are anticipating more such gifts from private individuals!
Good will, gifts and donations down the Glen – Friends of Glen Goyle
WORKING PARTY AT WORK
In another very productive session, the District Council’s horticultural officer Paul Fealey talked through several points with the FOGG volunteers – including sowing grass seed on the rather sorry looking lawn and creating a ‘fluffy edge’ to that area, possibly with clover. They also discussed making access easy and safe along the Glen, putting together job sheets/work schedules for the volunteers, and having regular onsite meetings with Streetscene officers every six weeks.
Making progress along the Glen – Friends of Glen Goyle
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