Latest news with #NeneValley
BBC News
7 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Wildlife trust tells dog owners to keep pets on leads at reserves
Dog owners have been warned to keep their pets on leads at nature reserves after a series of incidents where dogs have attacked people and Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire put out the caution after a sheep was killed by a loose dog at Pegsdon Hills nature reserve in Bedfordshire, despite signage stating dogs must be kept on leads at all times. It added the Nene Valley Special Protection Area (SPA), which covers the Nene Wetlands, Summer Leys and Titchmarsh nature reserves, has employed an officer to engage with dog walkers. Matt Jackson, the trust's conservation director, said: "No-one deserves to feel fear at work or on a nature reserve." "Our conservation officers are simply doing their job and visitors are enjoying these special places," he added. Other incidents include a small dog being killed by a larger dog at Trumpington Meadows in Cambridge, a person being bitten by a dog at Beechwoods Nature Reserve near Cambridge and a reserve officer injured by a dog at Waresley Wood. A study carried out in the Nene Valley found dogs let off the lead were four times more likely to cause a disturbance to dogs on leads. It also found that out of 619 incidents, dogs off the lead were the most common cause of bird disturbances and there had been areas on the reserve where birds had not nested despite it being a good habitat. When sharing the news of the sheep found dead at the Pegsdon Hills reserve, Mr Jackson said it caused distress to staff members. He said: "It's the latest in a line of similar incidents and has caused distress for staff members who work hard to care for these animals and the reserve."He said while responsible dog walkers were welcome, the reserves were for wildlife and people to enjoy. He said: "We're wildlife conservationists and we love all animals, many of us have dogs of our own... our rules state clearly that all nature reserves - aside from a small number of designated areas - are for dogs on leads only, at all times of the year." Follow East of England news on X, Instagram and Facebook: BBC Beds, Herts & Bucks, BBC Cambridgeshire, BBC Essex, BBC Norfolk, BBC Northamptonshire or BBC Suffolk.
BBC News
27-06-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Nene Valley Railway to replace steam with diesel over hot weekend
A heritage railway has replaced its steam services for diesel for a second Nene Valley Railway (NVR) in Peterborough made the switch because of the hot weather and an increased risk of said sparks from its steam locomotives, either from the chimney or ashpan, could easily ignite dry grass and vegetation, especially when carried on the have also been made to protect crews as the temperature of the firebox of a steam locomotive can rise to more than 400C (752F). With the weather set to reach temperatures up to 30C, a NVR spokesperson said reducing its steam operations "helps us ensure safe working conditions for our teams".They added: "Due to the ongoing extremely hot and dry weather, our lineside fields and embankments are at an elevated risk of fire. "To help manage this risk, we're temporarily replacing some steam-hauled services with our heritage diesel locomotives. "These diesels pose no fire risk to the lineside, allowing us to continue safe and enjoyable operations."NVR said the Thomas Branch Line would still run at the weekend as it uses a smaller steam locomotive over a shorter section of line between Wansford and Yarwell, via Wansford Tunnel."The tunnel provides a cooler environment for our crews and reduces fire risk, making it ideal for operation in hot weather," the spokesperson added. "Additionally, due to Thomas's size and lighter workload, the physical demands on the crew—especially the fireman—are significantly lower."NVR is one of the UK's leading charity heritage railways. Last year it launched an urgent appeal to raise £300,000 to keep it running in the face of financial challenges, and has since raised £120,000. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
04-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Third teenager released on bail after major fire in Northampton
A boy arrested after a major fire at a retail park has been released on bail, police 14-year-old was detained on Monday by officers investigating Saturday's blaze at Nene Valley Retail Park in 14-year-old boy and a 15-year-old - both arrested on Saturday on suspicion of arson - have also been released on bail.A fourth boy,13, also detained on Saturday, has been released and will face with no further action. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Wansford railway marks 80 years of steam engine Thomas
A heritage railway charity is celebrating the 80th anniversary of Thomas with a 14-mile "big birthday adventure" train trip. The famous talking steam engine character was created by the Rev W Awdry, who wrote the first book in The Railway Series in 1971, he named a steam engine Thomas after his lead character and it has been in service at the Nene Valley Railway, near Peterborough, since O'Regan, commercial manager, said: "This is one of the very small numbers of times each year that Thomas runs on the main Nene Valley Railway line." "It's a one of a kind experience seeing the excitement on the faces of the kids - and actually the parents too, as every adult was a kid at some point and many remember Thomas fondly." In 1946, the Rev Awdry became rector at Holy Trinity Church in Elsworth, between Cambridge and Huntingdon, which is where he wrote another 25 books about the engine. He initially created the character to entertain his three-year-old son Christopher when he was sick with a bout of measles. Nene Valley Railway's Thomas was built in 1947 by Hudswell Clarke, and for years it was in service at Peterborough's British Sugar factory, where "the factory workers also called him Thomas", said Mr O' engine usually runs short trips between Wansford and Yarwell stations, which takes about five minutes each way, with a pause for 15 minutes to allow the engine to turn around. The 80th anniversary event is one of four full 14-mile trips this year, running between Peterborough Nene Valley and Wansford."We'll be having a bit of party on the platform to mark the big birthday adventure, with a barbecue, entertainment - and a chance to help fill Thomas up with water," said Mr O'Regan. Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
