Fakenham Local Group

From the Leader and Chairman of F.A.C.T.:

My name is Geoff Fletcher and I am the founder and Chairman of the Fakenham Area Conservation Trust (F.A.C.T.) which started in 1990 to improve local wildlife habitats and provide safe access for the public to enjoy walking and wildlife observation. F.A.C.T. and NWT have a long association and we run joint indoor meetings at Hempton Memorial Hall. As F.A.C.T. organiser I decide on the sites we are going to work on and what type of work is appropriate. I am also responsible for training and overseeing the work done by volunteers and their safety on task. It has been my roll to seek advice and raise funds for all our tools and equipment by negotiations with our Local Authorities and business sponsors.
More recently I helped bring together an informal group called ‘Open Spaces’ which includes County, District and Town Councils, The Wensum Valley Trust, The Fakenham Area Partnership, local businesses and land owners. The aims of this amalgamation are compatible with those of F.A.C.T. I represent F.A.C.T. on the Fakenham Area Partnership.

From the FACT NWT Representative:

My name is Nigel Jenkinson and was recently elected to the FACT Committee. It is my roll to represent the Trust at two NWT Local Group meetings and to introduce speakers at FACT/NWT indoor meetings. After 30 years as a teacher, I live in retirement with my wife Stephanie in Thursford Green. We both know North Norfolk extremely well. My first introduction to the area came in the 1960’s when I worked alongside Peter Clark at Holme (N.O.A.) as a temporary warden during my vacations. The great man taught me a great deal about wildlife and bird identification in particular. It was he who sparked my commitment to conservation volunteering which has been part of my life for 30 years and why I was drawn to this committee. Whilst a teacher I ran my own BTCV Group in London, worked with many local groups and ran my own wildlife holidays in conjunction with the YHA and YOC, now called RSPB Wildlife Explorers. I am a member of N.W.T. and the RSPB and work as a volunteer with The Hawk & Owl Trust at Sculthorpe Moor. I am also involved with current projects with the RSPB including the setting up of an RSPB Local Group.

Our Local Area

The Wensum Valley is an SSSI and is of international importance for habitat types, for wildlife and as a migration route for many of our bird species such as Marsh Harrier and Osprey. Within a mile west there is the Hawk and Owl Trusts Sculthorpe Moor Community Nature Reserve of which F.A.C.T. was a major force in its creation. To the North of Fakenham lies Pensthorpe, now owned by the Jordan family and further afield the NWT reserves at Foxley Wood, Thursford Wood and Syderstone Common. The North Norfolk Coast is a magnet for wildlife. Rare spring and autumn migrants pass through regularly and thousands of wildfowl will be found in autumn and winter. It is without comparison in this country.

About the Group

With help from N.W.T. and the Wensum Valley Trust, F.A.C.T. was created to help wildlife in the area and to assist with work on local NWT reserves. In order for F.A.C.T. to have an independent approach to its funding from Local Authorities and other local sponsors, it was agreed to keep the practical work within a ‘local community group’ with its own constitution. This group became the Fakenham Area Conservation Trust. Since its creation F.A.C.T. has become a highly regarded and well respected group making possible a wide range of conservation projects for the benefit of wildlife and safe public access.

A varied range of Indoor Meetings are based at Hempton Memorial Hall with illustrated talks on varied aspects of wildlife by experienced guest speakers. Both NWT and F.A.C.T. members are welcome. Meetings start at 19.30 (7.30 p.m.) and currently cost £2.00 per person at the door. A season ticket costing £15.00 allows entry to all Indoor Meetings for a year. There is adequate parking alongside the hall.

A programme is available by contacting any of the people listed below. We are pleased to talk to anyone with ideas about fund raising events (to cover ever spiralling costs of tools and tool maintenance) and for events aimed at increasing membership.

Outdoor events are central to the aims of F.A.C.T. and we encourage people to give it a try. No-one is ever asked to do more than they are comfortable with and the tasks usually last up to 3 hours. F.A.C.T. believes that involvement in such work not only benefits wildlife and safe public access but is also great for health. All participants are insured by our affiliation to B.T.C.V., a much respected, national conservation organisation.

We are currently working on 11 sites in and around Fakenham with more available as our volunteer numbers increase. Current work includes, clearing paths through neglected habitats, creating new habitats, pond maintenance and essential work as part of agreed habitat management plans. The work is vital and the results extremely rewarding.

We currently run fortnightly tasks on Sundays, starting at 9.30am and an occasional mid-week task on a Wednesday morning as work demands. The mid-week meetings particularly suit retired members and begin at 9.30am An essential part of all outdoor meetings is the chance to make new friends with similar interests and we have tea/coffee breaks. Such breaks are vital, not just for refreshment, but are an opportunity to discuss work in progress.

Membership of F.A.C.T. and the opportunity for you to make a difference to your local environment is absolutely free.

There are many levels of involvement. There are many jobs to do whilst working on task and a general level of physical fitness is all that is required.

Why not give it a try for a few hours to start with. You will find volunteers extremely friendly with an innate willingness to care for each other whilst working together. Training is given on site when using any of our tools.

Contact Us

Geoff Fletcher 01328 862164 or email geoff.fletcher@talktalk.net
Nigel Jenkinson: 01328 878376 or email stephnigeljenkinson@hotmail.com
Secretary Robin Parker: 01328 864399 or email robinparker2@btinternet.com