Bingham Linear Walk

Welcome to the website of Friends of Bingham Linear Park. The park is a Local Nature Reserve running along the line of an abandoned railway.

The Park is owned by Bingham Town Council. It was opened in 2004 by the late Professor David Bellamy. The Friends Group has been in existence since 2002 and is chaired by Bill Bacon. Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust have provided support and guidance to the Friends Group and to Bingham Town Council. There is a management plan for the park which the Friends use to guide their activities. The main aims of the management plan are to enhance and preserve the biodiveristy of the site and to maintain it for the users of the park.

We welcome volunteers - corporate days or Duke of Edinburgh students or come along to one of our events. Contact details below.

BIODIVERSITY

The park is a haven for a wide range of plants and animals in an otherwise intensely farmed landscape. The old railway line provides a variety of slopes, surface types and aspects which also encourages a diverse array of wildlife.

Events coming up

Unless otherwise stated all start at top of steps Tithby Road Bridge at 10 a.m.

Stout shoes needed.

Wear clothes suitable for weather (the path is quite exposed with little shade for significant length).

No need to book just turn up. Contact us if you have any questions

20th October 2024 - work party, to do scrub clearance etc, tools and gloves provided, wear old clothes in case they get damaged.

24th November 2024 - work party as above.

15th December - work party as above.

Autumn fliers

September is a good time to see common darters

Butterflies

Peak season for butterflies - look out for peacocks on the butterfly bush and Gatekeepers in the meadows.

Mayflies are flying by the River Smite

Grizzled Skipper news

First Grizzled Skipper of the season was spotted on 11/05/2024

Flooding Winter 2023/24

Water is flowing off the fields onto the path so please be careful.

Most of the path is relatively dry.

Winter work parties

Work parties have started for the winter season - lots to do, especially tidying up after the machine that has helpfully cut back the brambles.

Elaine Awarded

Elaine has been recognised by Bingham Town for her over 20 years of volunteering for Friends of Bingham Linear Park. She received a Civic ward at a ceremony in the new Bingham Arena (12 March 2023).

WORK PARTIES

In the period October to March the Friends Group carries out activities as per the management plan. This includes cutting back scrub and other vegetation that has blocked the path, coppicing the hazels to keep them healthy and removing litter. We want to preserve some areas of grassland in the steep cutting near Tithby Road bridge and this requires annual maintenance as the tree seedlings keep invading.

Volunteers to help us are always welcome. We have helped young people obtain Duke of Edinburgh awards by their volunteering with us.

HISTORY

The railway line originally ran from Bingham to Barnstone. It was never very busy and was mainly used for freight. It was closed in the 1962. Where the line was the same height as the surrounding land it was reverted back into fields. Luckily for us it has remained wild near Bingham as it is in a deep cutting and then raised above the surrounding land on an embankment.

Link to BHTA

WALKS AND SURVEYS

In the period April to September the Friends carry out surveys and regularly walk the park observing the seasonal changes. On the third Sunday of the month the public are invited to join the walk down the park. The walk starts at the top of the steps by the Tithby Road bridge at 10.00 am. The surveys are to record the number and type of butterflies along a transect as well as birds. This way we can build up a picture of the changes happening in the park. To this end fixed point photos help us monitor long term changes in the park.