friendsofbrierdene.org.uk
2006
October 11th
The first work party commenced conservation work in the
lower reach.
2007
April
Southern bank of the lower reach cleared and 600 trees and
shrubs planted.
May
Stone wall and crazy paved path completed in the lower
reach.
June
Summer Fest ...... almost rained off.
July
Clearing of the southern footpath in the middle reach
completed.
August
Two timber
bridges replaced in the middle and lower reach.
October
1000
volunteer hours worked in the Brierdene.
November
First
section of lower meadow sown and new southern footpath laid in the middle reach.
2008
February
Water vole sighted in the middle reach section of the burn.
March
No further sightings of water vole ...... no signs of residence
found.
April
Main clearing and digging
in lower reach completed.
New willow copse planted in middle reach.
May
1500 wild flower plugs planted in lower meadow and in the
lower and middle reach sections of the burn.
June
Summer Fest ...... almost rained off.
1100 wild flower plugs planted in lower meadow.
July
2000 volunteer
hours worked in the Brierdene.
September
Heavy rains and flooding damaging all footpaths and destroy
two sections of the new southern path.
Two timber
bridges replaced in the lower reach.
Stone seat and crazy paved path completed in the middle
reach.
October
Steve Stone presented with Chairman of the Council Community
Award for his work as volunteer coordinator for the Friend of Brierdene.
November
All areas of lower meadow sown ...... first sowing of the middle
meadow.
2009
January
60 trees planted in lower reach.
February
3000
volunteer hours worked in the Brierdene.
Main clearing in middle reach completed.
Friends of Brierdene presented with the Community Group
Award 2008 at the Evening Chronicle Environmental Awards Ceremony.
March
Completed cutting back overgrowth along the northern bank.
April
OPAL survey into Earthworms completed.
June
Summer Fest ...... windy but sunny.
800 wild flower plugs planted behind Scout hut.
July
2200 wild flower plugs planted along southern footpath.
September
North Tyneside in Bloom the Friends received a Special Award for Achievement.
4000 volunteer hours worked in the Brierdene.
OPAL survey into Air quality completed.
November
Heavy rains, slight flooding with minor damage to footpaths in upper and lower reaches.
December
252 Trees planted as part of the BBC Breathing Places Tree O'Clock Event.
2010
January
Completed clearing the north bank.
February
Heavy rains, slight flooding with no damage to footpaths.
Completed clearing the upper reach.
March
North bank sown with wild flower seeds and grass's.
April
5000 volunteer hours worked in the Brierdene.
June
Summer Fest ..... Sunny and warm for a change.
September
RHS Northumbria in Bloom in the Neighbourhood Awards the Friends received a Certificate at Level 5 (Outstanding).
North Tyneside in Bloom the Friends received a 2nd Place Certificate for Community effort.
October
OPAL survey in Hedgerows completed.
November
6000 volunteer hours worked in the Brierdene
2011
January
The Friends of Brierdene were awarded the Whitley Bay Town Cup for their work in the Brierdene.
North Tynside Council awards this prestigious cup to any organisation or individual of the town who has brought about an outstanding event in the last year, or
has been of outstanding service to the community.
March
The complete North bank has been sown with wild flower seeds and grass's.
June
Summer Fest.... Dry but a little on the cool side.
July
7000 volunteer hours have been worked in the Brierdene.
August
North Tyneside in Bloom the Friends were awarded 1st Place in the Community Effort Category.
September
Construction of the Observation/Viewing Platform Completed
October
RHS Northumbria in Bloom in the Neighbourhood Awards the Friends received a Certificate at Level 5 (Outstanding)
Observation Platform opened by Linda Arkley Mayor of North Tyneside
on Saturday 29th October.
2012
February
8000 volunteer hours have been worked in the Brierdene.
March
In the Community Health Awards the Friends were judged as Outstanding and presented with a certificate.
June
Heavy rains and flooding have damaged a number of footpaths.
9000 volunteer hours have been worked in the Brierdene.
July
The Brierdene received the Green Flag Community Award for 2012/13
August
North Tyneside in Bloom the Friends received a 3rd Place Certificate for Community/ Street Effort.
October
RHS Northumbria in Bloom in the Neighbourhood Awards the Friends received a Certificate at Level 5 (Outstanding) for the third year running.
November
10,000 volunteer hours have been worked in the Brierdene.
2013
March
The Longstone Seat A new stone seat was constructed at the west end of the lower dene
May
11,000 volunteer hours have been worked in the Brierdene.
July
Friends of Brierdene retain the Green Flay Community Award for 2013/2014
August
North Tyneside in Bloom the Friends received a 3rd Place Certificate for Community/ Street Effort.
October
12,000 volunteer hours have been worked in the Brierdene.
RHS Northumbria in Bloom in the Neighbourhood Awards the Friends received a Certificate at Level 5 (Outstanding) for the fourth year running.
November
105 Trees donated by the Woodland Trust were planted at the west end of the Dene Top.
The whole of the West and North side of the Dene Top has been sown with Wild Flowers and Grasses.
2014
February
95 Trees were planted in various areas in the Upper and Lower Dene.
March
Whitley Bay branch of the Newcastle Building Society to support the activities of the Friends during 2014.
New Glade on the North Bank of the Upper Reach sown with Wild Flowers and Grasses
13,000 volunteer hours have been worked in the Brierdene.
July
Friends of Brierdene retain the Green Flay Community Award for 2014/2015
14,000 volunteer hours have been worked in the Brierdene.
August
North Tyneside in Bloom the Friends received a 2nd Place Certificate for Community/ Street Effort.
The first Bio Blitz took place in the Brierdene on the 9th of the month.
November
15,000 volunteer hours have been worked in the Brierdene.
RHS
Northumbria in Bloom in the Neighbourhood Awards the Friends received a
Certificate at Level 5 (Outstanding) for the fiveth year running.
2015
February
80 Trees were planted in various areas in the Upper and Lower Dene and bulbs were planted along the NW footpath to replace those damaged during the culvert work,.
Completed a Earthworm survey of the Upper and Lower Dene.
May
16,000 volunteer hours have been worked in the Brierdene.
The second Bio Blitz took place in the Brierdene on the 30th May.
July
Friends of Brierdene retain the Green Flay Community Award for 2015/2016
August
17,000 volunteer hours have been worked in the Brierdene.
Completion of a Hoverfly survey of the Upper and Lower Dene.
Completion of work to repair all flood damaged footpaths and new measures to reduce
rain and flood damage to footpaths installed.
September
North Tyneside in Bloom the Friends received a 2nd Place Certificate for Community/ Street Effort.
November
RHS
Northumbria in Bloom in the Neighbourhood Awards the Friends received a
Certificate at Level 5 (Outstanding) for the sixth year running.
2016
January
New measures to reduce rain damage on the footpath to the Observation Platform installed.
February
18,000 volunteer hours have been worked in the Brierdene.
June
Tony Lister presented with Chairman of the Council Community
Silver Award for his work as as chairman of the Friend of Brierdene over ther last 10 years.
July
Friends of Brierdene retain the Green Flay Community Award for 2015/2016
August
19,000 volunteer hours have been worked in the Brierdene.
September
The third Bio Blitz took place in the Brierdene on the 10th September.
October
North Tyneside in Bloom the Friends received a 3rd Place Certificate for Community/ Street Effort.
November
RHS
Northumbria in Bloom in the Neighbourhood Awards the Friends received a
Certificate at Level 5 (Outstanding) for the seventh year running.
RHS It's Your Neighbourhood National Certificate of Distinction.
2017
January
20,000 volunteer hours have been worked in the Brierdene.
June
21,000 volunteer hours have been worked in the Brierdene.
The fourth Bio Blitz took place in the Brierdene on the 24th June.
Friends of Brierdene retain the Green Flay Community Award for 2017/2018.
The fourth annual Moth Night took place in the Brierdene 29th July.
November
22,000 volunteer hours have been worked in the Brierdene.
RHS Northumbria in Bloom in the Neighbourhood Awards the Friends received a Certificate at Level 5 (Outstanding) for the eighth year running.
2018
Friends of Brierdene receving the Community
Group Award 2008
Tony Lister Chairman - right
Des Bustard Treasurer - centre
Steve Stone Conservation and Volunteer Coordinator - left
Friends of Brierdene Chairman Tony Lister
receiving the Whitley Bay Town Cup from
Duncan McLellan Chairman of the Council
Best Community Effort 2011
