How the use of the name Sandford has evolved.

The first written record of the name Sandford is in relation to Sandford Bridge and dates from 1597. The first consistent use of the name on maps for anything else dates from around 1800, and applied to the area west of the bridge and centred on Sandford Farm, which was sited where Sandford Lane Industrial Estate now is. The earliest record so far of the use of Sandford for an area within the present village dates from 1855. This use became firmly established through the naming of Sandford Pottery, Sandford Terrace and Sandford House soon afterwards. The focus remained around the pottery until housing developments that began in the 1930s shifted it eastwards to its present location.

April has been declared the wettest on record for England and after a dry and sunny March, it felt as if the brakes had been applied to spring. Summer migrant birds have been delayed, butterflies have been scarce and flowering plants are appearing somewhat later than in 2011. However, the much-needed rain will bring benefit to both plants and insects in May as temperatures rise.

I have a rather overgrown garden pond (nearly 2 x 3 m) with mostly native pond plants, plus a small ornamental water-lily. My garden backs onto Great Ovens Heath Site of Special Scientific Interest. On a warm afternoon on 12/3/12 I saw an adult of the Raft spider, Dolomedes fimbriatus, on the paving by my pond, presumably after emergence from overwintering.

 Following our recent update of the website with the results of the wildlife gardening questionnaire it is time to let you know what residents of Sandford have seen in their gardens so far this year. Our very first wildlife report was spotted by Jake Lagden in January! Jake saw a hedgehog in his front garden and emailed in a couple of wonderful photographs too, have a look below. 

We are fortunate here in Sandford to live in an area where wildlife is abundant locally. There were 34 householders who responded to our questionnare about their interest in gardening for wildlife; nearly everyone was interested in looking after birds, 90% had plants with flowers liked by bees and 11% had fish-free ponds liked by dragonflies and pondskimmers. The results of the 5 species we asked you to report seeing in your garden - Frog, Sand Lizard, Glow Worm, Toad and Hedgehog are also
presented in this article by Lena Ward. Lena and the Wildlife Group and many others hope this interest in wildlife gardening will grow.

There have been many bumblebees in my garden in the last few days of good weather. 

I have a wildlife friendly garden and enjoy a stroll almost everyday to see what interesting species can be found there.

St Martin’s Church, Sandford, is probably unique in being a church which was built around its organ.