We have received some very worrying news that has come out of yesterday’s Cardiff Council committee meeting. One of the proposals in the Council’s proposed budget savings is to “Cease Operation of Flatholm Island and Consider Options for Disposal”. There will be a Council meeting on Thur 28th Feb to decide the future of Flat Holm Island.

There will be a proposal put forward to find an alternative method of operation, other than through the Council, to run the Island. A decision will be taken, to take effect from 31st March 2013.

David Westerland, who is covering Natalie Taylor’s maternity leave, will be speaking at the FHS AGM on 7th March and will be able to inform members of the outcome of the meeting.

If there is any more information about this proposal, we will let you know.

The extract from the Council’s Savings document reads:

“Cease Operation of Flatholm Island and Consider Options for Disposal – the visitor and income profile for Flatholm demonstrates that demand for the island is highly concentrated in the summer months and is insufficient to cover the operating costs of the facility. It is proposed to cease all visits to the island, and dispose of the island to a third party with no further Council involvement. Visits to the island could be ceased promptly whilst options for disposal are explored. The budget saving reflects retention of a small contingency for service visits during closure. The proposal also includes the disposal of the Lewis Alexander, the vessel currently used to service the island which has increasing costs associated with keeping it serviceable and licensed due to age. If minded to retain some operation of the Island whilst disposal is explored and effected, revision of operations so that visits and overnight stays are only facilitated in the summer could be implemented saving the lower amount of £100k, with visitor access provided by partner commercial boat operators, with emergency/service visits by

Council staff facilitated through the Harbour Authority’s “survey vessel””

If you feel strongly against this proposal please please please voice your concerns directly to the Council and please also sign the online petition at:

http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/cardiff-council-save-flat-holm-island-2

You can also keep track of the latest campaign news on the “Save Flat Holm Island” Facebook page and also via our normal Flat Holm Website and Flat Holm Society Facebook pages.

https://www.facebook.com/SaveFlatHolmIsland

https://flatholmsociety.org.uk

https://www.facebook.com/flatholmsociety?ref=ts&fref=ts

Thank you for your support

FHS Chair & Committee

It’s been a long journey, but we are finally seeing the finishing touches on one of Flat Holm’s most treasured buildings, the Fog Horn Cottage.

Originally opened in 1906, the Cottage has been in a state of decay for almost 30 years. The renovation of the cottage has been taking place in dribs and drabs for the past decade, and over the last two years a concerted effort has been made to completely restore this unique building.

The Flat Holm society has fully supported the restoration by various donations of funds and through practical hands on work by society members on many working days and weekends.

A very special thanks to all the island volunteers, members of the Flat Holm Society, Bob and Lee and not to forget all of the island wardens, especially Matt, for his determination! It looks amazing, and it will be a cosy home for anyone wanting a weekend away or a holiday with a difference!  Everyone who has been involved in the restoration project should be very proud of this significant achievement.

More information about the cottage will be available soon, however, in the meantime anyone interested in finding out more about how to hire the cottage for a weekend break or holiday should contact the Flat Holm Project Office.

The Flat Holm Island team recently had a surprise visit from some sea kayakers who were on a trip that took in Bream Down, Steep Holm and Flat Holm.

Read the blog entry about their adventure .

Bird ringing is an important part of the monitoring of the movements of our birdlife.

Each year, with the help of the Cardiff Bird Ringers, 100 of the Lesser Black-backed gull chicks are ringed.

The birds are not harmed in any way by the placing of an identity ring on the legs of the young birds.   We know that the Lesser Black-backed gulls from the island go on to places like Morocco Southern Spain and Portugal for the winter.  Many of them return to the island in March each year. By monitoring their movements like this gives the BTO, who monitor the gulls, information on the effects of changes in the environment.

The bird ringers are all very aware of the effects of their handling of the young birds.  The chicks seemed to become quite calm when being handled and were returned to their nest sites without harm. The rings are all attached in such a way as not to impede their natural needs and lives.

Peter Samson.

Gull Ringing on the Rock – Part 2

This year society members Linda, Peter and Jo travelled out to the island with the Cardiff Ringers and Warden, Matt Lipton, on a glorious July morning. Sadly the Lewis Alexander was out of action but on the plus side we travelled very quickly across the very calm channel by rib. We were met on the jetty by Assistant Warden, Ross Clifford, and Volunteer’s Jamie and Sarah.

Important things first we started our task in hand with a brew in the Farmhouse while we worked out a plan of action for the task ahead. We split into two groups and got kitted out in overalls and hard hats. Each group took a section of the Gull colony and fifty BTO and Darvic Plastic rings. The BTO rings are made from metal and the Darvic rings are numbered plastic rings which can be read in the field, Ringing aims to increase understanding about what is happening to birds in the places they live and how this affects population increases and decreases, this knowledge is vital for conservation. It also gives information on the movements individual birds make and how long many live for.

We then spent the next few hours being mobbed by the adult gulls who are, understandably, very protective of their chicks. Getting mobbed by a gull colony is quite an experience and it soon becomes very clear why the overalls and hard hats are needed as the adults, swoop, dive bomb and poop all over you!

Catching the chicks can be quite difficult as they tend to make straight for the undergrowth which on the island consists mainly of nettles and brambles. Once caught the chicks are taken to the licensed ringers for the rings to be fitted around their legs. The chicks are then returned to the nest site

The day ended with a super fast and somewhat choppy and wet ride back to Cardiff on the rib – amazing fun!

If you are interested in taking part in future conservation work on the island please use our Contact Us form.

Jo Morgan

Join us on the 2nd September 2012 when we are holding a working open day on Flat Holm where you will be able to experience hands on island life by helping out for the day. The day will be rounded off with a BBQ and lots of fun and games.

The boat will leave Barrage South at 06:45. We will leave Flat Holm at 18:10.

The cost is £15 per person and includes the boat trip to the island and BBQ.

The day will give you hands on experience of what it is like to be a member of the society and will give you plenty of opportunity to meet other society members and the island staff and volunteers.  Previous years jobs have included: painting the fog horn station building, re-pointing walls, dry stone walling, vegetation clearance, building a chicken coup and other general DIY tasks. There will be a list of tasks suited to all levels of skills and ability and you can choose which one/s you feel like helping out with.  There will also be plenty of time to explore the island and take a guided tour.

Places are limited and are expected to fill up very quickly!!!!  If you would like to book please use our contact us form to let us know how many people you would like to reserve spaces for and we will send you details of how to pay.  Payment must be recieved by the 15th August to secure your place on the boat.

Flat Holm Island played host to one of 4000 Jubilee beacons across the UK to Mark the Queen’s 60 year reign.

The Wardens and Volunteers living on the island gathered an impressive amount of wood and the beacon was clearly visible from the South Wales coastline.

The beacon hit the headlines for being the most Southerly beacon in Wales.