Category: MWN in action

We’re thrilled to share some wonderful news Molescroft Wildlife Network has been shortlisted for the Environmental Award at the HEY Charity Awards 2026!

We were over the moon when the nomination came through. To know that the work we do for local wildlife and green spaces has been recognised in this way is a real honour, and it means the world to everyone involved.

Of course, none of this would be possible without the incredible support of our volunteers, members, and the wider Molescroft community. Every hedgehog surveyed, every wildflower planted every bioblitz of our areas, it all adds up, and this shortlisting is a reflection of what we’ve achieved together.

We don’t yet know the outcome, but regardless of what happens on the night, just being shortlisted is something we’re genuinely proud of. It’s a lovely reminder that the small things really do make a difference. We’ll keep you posted as we hear more. In the meantime, thank you, all of you, for being part of this. This one’s for the whole network.

We’re delighted to announce that we have been granted a £1000 award from the Dogger Bank Wind Farm Operator Fund for Molescroft Wildlife Network.

Rick was our lead applicant for this, and one of the newest MWN members, so we’re incredibly grateful for him pulling together our application.

This grant was specifically put in to allow us to purchase equipment for our site manangement, seeds for planting (pending the success of our attempts at Millenium Wildlife Haven!) as well as volunteer events.

We’re incredibly grateful to the DBWFOF for this money, it’s a significant amount to a small group like ours and we can’t wait to put it to good use for our local residents and biodiversity.

Sometimes it is hard to find time to reflect on what you have achieved and where you are going in life, but it is an important thing to do. This morning some of the MWN Trustees met to look at what had gone well and maybe what hasn’t gone so well for MWN over the last couple of years, and look at what parts of our work we needed to persevere with and which bits maybe we should think about ‘pruning back’ so that we maintain the goals and focus of our Small Charity Charter.

It was a productive 3 hours. There’s lots of enthusiasm to continue working on our management plans, and how we can organise ourselves more effectively for nature.

We’d like to say a big thank you to Martin Smith for facilitating the session (and Karyn and Steve for the pre-work), and also the very welcoming team at Gemini Chocolate, for use of their “Upstairs at Gemini” space that was just perfect for the morning.

Steve, Andy (Yorkshire Wildlife Trust), Angie, Sharon, Dan, Karyn and Helen.

Well this was a lovely surprise! Hull & East Yorkshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy runs an annual Local Nature Photography Competition.

You can see the winners across all categories here.

You may spot some familiar faces in the Volunteering 26+ category! This was taken at MWN’s “Creatures of the NIght” event and features MWN volunteers, some of our fantastic speakers, and the bat box making maestro Andy from YWT!

The judges said “The judges really thought your photo with the bat boxes showcased a perfect example of volunteering action.” We think so too. Thank you HEY LNRS!

The History and Natural History of Molescroft Parish a walk led by Molescroft Wildlife Network

Our community group of volunteers was formed in 2022 with the aim of restoring nature and its heritage in the parish. The walk will look at some of the history and wildlife of the ancient parish of Molescroft, now a suburb of Beverley. Included in the walk are a disused railway line, a historic footpath, a 19th century graveyard, the sites of two medieval manor houses and wildlife corridors well loved by locals. 

Your guides will be Karyn and Helen. Start time: 3pm Meeting Point: Beverley Braves Club House, Molescroft Playing Field, Thurlow Avenue, Beverley. HU17 7QJ.

Booking is essential: via email please (between 1st and 12th September only) Molescroftwn@gmail.com

Cost: Free

Additional Information: Unpaved footpaths and may not be suitable for those with restricted manoeuvrability

For other walks in the series please see the guide!

Molescroft Wildlife Network is arranging a working party to clear the vegetation at St Mary’s Graveyard on Thurs 14 Aug after it has been cut by ERYC.

This enables native flowers to thrive. We will rake the arisings, wheelbarrow them to a flatbed truck, and they will be taken to a local compost heap.

If you would like to come along and help, please send us an email as soon as possible, or by Friday 8 Aug, to Molescroftwn@gmail.com. This is so that we know how many people are coming to be able to borrow enough equipment and get enough fruitcake in. 

A while ago, Karyn was interviewed for Country Life. The article has now appeared in press! “The life that thrives among the dead: How wildlife finds a home in the graveyards and churchyards of Britain”.

It’s a wonderful read, and it’s appeared online too, so see Karyn’s quote, and the work of MWN and our partners at St Mary’s Church, Caring for God’s Acre and the Parish Council in context!

https://www.countrylife.co.uk/nature/the-life-that-thrives-among-the-dead-how-wildlife-finds-a-home-in-the-graveyards-and-churchyards-of-britain

A few members of MWN got together on Saturday to work on Postbox Pocket Meadow. The plan for the day was to do a late cut on the grass, and clear away the debris, and particularly the leaves that have accumulated on the spot. These provide too much nourishment to the ground, and discourage the succession of the plants we’d like to see growing.

The mow went surprisingly well given the damp grass, and the area was very vigorously raked, with the intention of disturbing as much of the grass as we could, in order to the the next phase. Which was adding some of our saved and donated yellow rattle seeds over the area and tamping them down with some very coordinated stomping! It was also great to engage a number of dog walkers and passer’s by to tell them what exactly we were up to.

We were incredibly lucky with the weather, as it was dry on the day, and nice and wet the next, ensuring that the seed would get a great chance to bed in. Be sure to keep an eye out from March to see how the patch is going!

Molescroft Wildlife Network is pleased to announce that we had our first working group meeting with Molescroft Parish Council. We’ve been incredibly grateful to MPC for their support so far, and have enjoyed attending Parish Council meetings. This was the first opportunity we had to meet our new councillors and explain our goals around the Parish. It was an incredibly productive meeting and we look forward to many more to come!

Left to right: Cllr Adrian Costello, Steve Parkin (MWN), Cllr Mac Fleming, Angie Norman (MWN), Cllr Elaine Aird, Sharon Stone (MWN), Cllr Pam Lockyer