the park
May 2022
From last years’ experience in managing the grassland meadow in the Park we are modifying the timing of grazing the vegetation. We have seen a substantial increase in the both the range and numbers of wildflowers growing there. When the Parish Council purchased the Park, our principal aim was to increase the fauna and flora there.
Clearly we are pleased this has been so successful. The cattle grazing will cease before the flowers bloom and will continue after they have seeded, ensuring this progress continues. However, the gross vegetation in the wetter lower part of the meadow, principally nettles and thistles, will be more regularly strimmed to discourage their growth, thus allowing other plants to flourish.
On the last Saturday morning of every month we have teams of residents working on various sites in the village where there is public access: the Sheepwash and the riverside sites as well as the Park. If you would like to help on any of these sessions in any capacity please contact Will Walker on 356286, Kate Savage on 361137 or Richard Ryder on 363228.
The Estate Management Group
April 2022
Given the succession of high winds in February it is a relief that earlier this year we cleared several potentially dangerous trees in the tree belt and Riverside Walk. Our storm damage was mainly limited to small branches and these were cleared last month.
In the two previous winters we ‘ivy ringed’ several mature trees in the tree belt and in Riverside Walk. The effect of cutting the ivy stems meant the ivy then dies in the tree canopy so reducing the pressure of high winds on the trees. You can see that so many of the trees which have been blown down recently were covered in ivy.
On the last Saturday morning of every month, we have teams of residents working on various sites in the village where there is public access: the Sheepwash and the Riverside sites as well as the Park. If you would like to help on any of these sessions in any capacity please contact Will Walker on 356286, Kate Savage on 361137 or Richard Ryder on 363228.
The Estate Management Group
Given the succession of high winds in February it is a relief that earlier this year we cleared several potentially dangerous trees in the tree belt and Riverside Walk. Our storm damage was mainly limited to small branches and these were cleared last month.
In the two previous winters we ‘ivy ringed’ several mature trees in the tree belt and in Riverside Walk. The effect of cutting the ivy stems meant the ivy then dies in the tree canopy so reducing the pressure of high winds on the trees. You can see that so many of the trees which have been blown down recently were covered in ivy.
On the last Saturday morning of every month, we have teams of residents working on various sites in the village where there is public access: the Sheepwash and the Riverside sites as well as the Park. If you would like to help on any of these sessions in any capacity please contact Will Walker on 356286, Kate Savage on 361137 or Richard Ryder on 363228.
The Estate Management Group
March 2022
Last month, for safety reasons, we removed several potentially dangerous trees from the western part of the tree belt as they were close to well-worn paths. We will be planting replacement trees in the autumn ensuring a good future for the tree belt.
Historically the Water Meadow was once a cricket field so we have planted four ‘cricket bat’ willows in the vicinity of the cricket square. They will be protected from the cattle by individual wooden fences.
Last year we had an issue with tall thick vegetation growing in the lowest wettest part of the Park. We have revised our maintenance plan to try to ensure the nettles and thistles do not dominate the usual meadow vegetation we see on the higher parts of the parkland meadow.
On the last Saturday morning of every month, we have teams of residents working on various sites in the village where there is public access: the Sheepwash and the Riverside sites as well as the Park. If you would like to help on any of these sessions in any capacity please contact Will Walker on 356286, Kate Savage on 361137 or Richard Ryder on 363228.
The Estate Management Group
February 2022
Thank you to everyone who bought raffle tickets for our Christmas raffle. The three winners from the draw for the food hamper, the drinks hamper and the Clatford reared turkey were Angela Houghton, Judy Gould and Nick Shorter respectively.
On the same morning as the draw the Clatford Beavers were involved with planting twenty hazel bushes on the east side of the pumping station in the Park. We are grateful for their participation and we all look forward to seeing how the site matures in the coming years.
The ‘new’ hedge was infilled with new plants where the hedge needed thickening. The tree work at the river end of the tree belt continued as the last remaining section of densely overgrown vegetation was thinned and cleared.
On the last Saturday morning of every month, we have teams of residents working on various sites in the village where there is public access: the Sheepwash and the Riverside sites as well as the Park. If you would like to help on any of these sessions in any capacity please contact Will Walker on 356286, Kate Savage on 361137 or Richard Ryder on 363228.
The Estate Management Group
Thank you to everyone who bought raffle tickets for our Christmas raffle. The three winners from the draw for the food hamper, the drinks hamper and the Clatford reared turkey were Angela Houghton, Judy Gould and Nick Shorter respectively.
On the same morning as the draw the Clatford Beavers were involved with planting twenty hazel bushes on the east side of the pumping station in the Park. We are grateful for their participation and we all look forward to seeing how the site matures in the coming years.
The ‘new’ hedge was infilled with new plants where the hedge needed thickening. The tree work at the river end of the tree belt continued as the last remaining section of densely overgrown vegetation was thinned and cleared.
On the last Saturday morning of every month, we have teams of residents working on various sites in the village where there is public access: the Sheepwash and the Riverside sites as well as the Park. If you would like to help on any of these sessions in any capacity please contact Will Walker on 356286, Kate Savage on 361137 or Richard Ryder on 363228.
The Estate Management Group
December 2021
If you are reading this in early December then you have time to buy some tickets to support our Christmas themed raffle if you have not already done so. The draw will take place in The Park on Saturday 11th December at 11.00.
This is an appropriate time to reflect on our achievements and look forward to completing our objectives. Our emphasis this autumn is on the hedge planting around the pumping station at the main entrance to the Park, which we shall complete this December. The tree belt work in removing the dead, dying, dangerous trees and branches has been achieved. There is a small area of overgrown vegetation which we will clear this winter.
The Estate Management Group would like to thank everyone who has helped on the task mornings this year to achieve so much, and to thank everyone who has supported the raffle. The result will be in the next magazine edition in February.
On the last Saturday morning of every month we have teams of residents working on various sites in the village where there is public access: the Sheepwash and the Riverside sites as well as the Park. If you would like to help on any of these sessions in any capacity please contact Will Walker on 356286, Kate Savage on 361137 or Richard Ryder on 363228.
The Estate Management Group
If you are reading this in early December then you have time to buy some tickets to support our Christmas themed raffle if you have not already done so. The draw will take place in The Park on Saturday 11th December at 11.00.
This is an appropriate time to reflect on our achievements and look forward to completing our objectives. Our emphasis this autumn is on the hedge planting around the pumping station at the main entrance to the Park, which we shall complete this December. The tree belt work in removing the dead, dying, dangerous trees and branches has been achieved. There is a small area of overgrown vegetation which we will clear this winter.
The Estate Management Group would like to thank everyone who has helped on the task mornings this year to achieve so much, and to thank everyone who has supported the raffle. The result will be in the next magazine edition in February.
On the last Saturday morning of every month we have teams of residents working on various sites in the village where there is public access: the Sheepwash and the Riverside sites as well as the Park. If you would like to help on any of these sessions in any capacity please contact Will Walker on 356286, Kate Savage on 361137 or Richard Ryder on 363228.
The Estate Management Group
NOVEMBER 2021
Our emphasis this autumn is on completing the hedge planting around the pumping station at the main entrance to the Park, and to replace the few hedgerow plants that have died over the summer. You may have noticed that we have been planting hazel whips around the pumping station, which will improve the appearance of this area.
Over the autumn and winter, we are also aiming to complete the clearance of overgrown vegetation in the last section of the tree belt. We started this tree belt work four years ago and our aim was to complete it in five years.
We would appreciate your support by buying tickets for our Christmas themed raffle. The prizes are a food hamper, a drinks hamper, and a turkey kindly donated by Warrenfield Farm. The draw will take place in the Park on 11thDecember at 11.00 am.
On the last Saturday morning of every month, we have teams of residents working on various sites in the village where there is public access: the Sheepwash and the Riverside sites as well as the Park. If you would like to help on any of these sessions in any capacity please contact Will Walker on 356286, Kate Savage on 361137 or Richard Ryder on 363228.
The Estate Management Group
OCTOBER 2021
It was encouraging to see interest in our stall at our village fete last month. We were able to show how much work we have achieved in three years to make the Park more accessible. With the new grazing management, we are now seeing many more flower species.
Several more residents have offered help on our monthly task mornings, so we are now more likely to complete our current plans. These include finishing both the hedgerow planting and the essential tree belt work.
Our Christmas raffle is now launched with three attractive seasonal prizes: a food hamper, a drinks hamper, and a turkey kindly donated by Warrenfield Farm. The proceeds will go towards to cost of planting four willows with suitable cattle guards in the Water Meadow. Your support will be greatly appreciated.
On the last Saturday morning of every month, we have teams of residents working on various sites in the village where there is public access: the Sheepwash and the Riverside sites as well as the Park.
If you would like to help on any of these sessions in any capacity please contact Will Walker on 356286, Kate Savage on 361137 or Richard Ryder on 363228.
The Estate Management Group
It was encouraging to see interest in our stall at our village fete last month. We were able to show how much work we have achieved in three years to make the Park more accessible. With the new grazing management, we are now seeing many more flower species.
Several more residents have offered help on our monthly task mornings, so we are now more likely to complete our current plans. These include finishing both the hedgerow planting and the essential tree belt work.
Our Christmas raffle is now launched with three attractive seasonal prizes: a food hamper, a drinks hamper, and a turkey kindly donated by Warrenfield Farm. The proceeds will go towards to cost of planting four willows with suitable cattle guards in the Water Meadow. Your support will be greatly appreciated.
On the last Saturday morning of every month, we have teams of residents working on various sites in the village where there is public access: the Sheepwash and the Riverside sites as well as the Park.
If you would like to help on any of these sessions in any capacity please contact Will Walker on 356286, Kate Savage on 361137 or Richard Ryder on 363228.
The Estate Management Group
SEPTEMBER 2021
This is the time of year when little seems to be happening in the Park but we are working towards a busy autumn and winter. We aim to complete the hedge planting around the pumping station and the maintenance work at the river end of the tree belt.
In the last three years we have cleared the dead, dying and dangerous trees and debris from approximately 75% of the tree belt. This work has enabled more light to fall to the woodland floor, thus improving the growth and variety of ground cover. The emergence of some typical woodland flower species is lovely to see. The other main difference is the creation of well-defined paths through the tree belt which is very encouraging as many more walkers are now obviously enjoying this area.
Our Christmas raffle is now launched with three attractive seasonal prizes, a food hamper, a drinks hamper and a turkey kindly donated by Warrenfield Farm.
On the last Saturday morning of every month, we have teams of residents working on various sites in the village where there is public access: the Sheepwash and the Riverside sites as well as the Park.
If you would like to help on any of these sessions in any capacity please contact Will Walker on 356286, Kate Savage on 361137 or Richard Ryder on 363228.
The Estate Management Group
This is the time of year when little seems to be happening in the Park but we are working towards a busy autumn and winter. We aim to complete the hedge planting around the pumping station and the maintenance work at the river end of the tree belt.
In the last three years we have cleared the dead, dying and dangerous trees and debris from approximately 75% of the tree belt. This work has enabled more light to fall to the woodland floor, thus improving the growth and variety of ground cover. The emergence of some typical woodland flower species is lovely to see. The other main difference is the creation of well-defined paths through the tree belt which is very encouraging as many more walkers are now obviously enjoying this area.
Our Christmas raffle is now launched with three attractive seasonal prizes, a food hamper, a drinks hamper and a turkey kindly donated by Warrenfield Farm.
On the last Saturday morning of every month, we have teams of residents working on various sites in the village where there is public access: the Sheepwash and the Riverside sites as well as the Park.
If you would like to help on any of these sessions in any capacity please contact Will Walker on 356286, Kate Savage on 361137 or Richard Ryder on 363228.
The Estate Management Group
AUGUST 2021
You will be welcome to come to our stall at this year’s fete on 30th August where we will illustrate the work we have accomplished in three years. Our annual targets have been met and we are on course to complete this year’s as well.
Our success has been due to all the help so many residents have given, whether it be planting specimen trees, planting hedgerow shrubs, regular routine maintenance or clearing new village sites.
This summer we have seen more species of meadow flowers and butterflies in the Park because of our grazing regime, which is very encouraging.
On the last Saturday morning of every month, we have teams of residents working on various sites in the village where there is public access: the Sheepwash and the Riverside sites as well as the Park.
If you would like to help on any of these sessions in any capacity please contact Will Walker on 356286, Kate Savage on 361137 or Richard Ryder on 363228.
The Estate Management Group
You will be welcome to come to our stall at this year’s fete on 30th August where we will illustrate the work we have accomplished in three years. Our annual targets have been met and we are on course to complete this year’s as well.
Our success has been due to all the help so many residents have given, whether it be planting specimen trees, planting hedgerow shrubs, regular routine maintenance or clearing new village sites.
This summer we have seen more species of meadow flowers and butterflies in the Park because of our grazing regime, which is very encouraging.
On the last Saturday morning of every month, we have teams of residents working on various sites in the village where there is public access: the Sheepwash and the Riverside sites as well as the Park.
If you would like to help on any of these sessions in any capacity please contact Will Walker on 356286, Kate Savage on 361137 or Richard Ryder on 363228.
The Estate Management Group
JULY 2021
Last month the overgrown vegetation was strimmed in the area around the pumping station and bridleway in the Park. We can now see how well the new hazel whips are growing, and the new hedge around the fence is being established. This hedge, like the other new hedge along the north boundary of the Park, is a mixture of holly, hawthorn, guelder rose, blackthorn and dogwood.
The more limited planting of hazel and hawthorn in the tree belt is similarly successful. The aim here is to plant where there is poor vegetation cover to increase the biodiversity of wildlife. We are already seeing small changes in the variety of ground cover vegetation in the tree belt which is very encouraging.
On the last Saturday morning of every month, we have teams of residents working on various sites in the village where there is public access: the Sheepwash, the Riverside sites as well as the Park.
If you would like to help on any of these sessions please contact Will Walker on 356286, Kate Savage on 361137 or Richard Ryder on 363228.
The Estate Management Group
Last month the overgrown vegetation was strimmed in the area around the pumping station and bridleway in the Park. We can now see how well the new hazel whips are growing, and the new hedge around the fence is being established. This hedge, like the other new hedge along the north boundary of the Park, is a mixture of holly, hawthorn, guelder rose, blackthorn and dogwood.
The more limited planting of hazel and hawthorn in the tree belt is similarly successful. The aim here is to plant where there is poor vegetation cover to increase the biodiversity of wildlife. We are already seeing small changes in the variety of ground cover vegetation in the tree belt which is very encouraging.
On the last Saturday morning of every month, we have teams of residents working on various sites in the village where there is public access: the Sheepwash, the Riverside sites as well as the Park.
If you would like to help on any of these sessions please contact Will Walker on 356286, Kate Savage on 361137 or Richard Ryder on 363228.
The Estate Management Group
JUNE 2021
Since installing new kissing gates to the Park and the tree belt we have seen many more paths cris-crossing the meadow and through the trees. It is so pleasing to see that residents are using the entrances.
The ‘new’ hedge from the Church Lane entrance to the St Francis entrance seems to be growing well and will provide a valuable new habitat for bees and butterflies.
Last year we postponed our planned October Auction of Promises and hastily promoted our successful Christmas themed raffle instead. The money raised went towards the cattle guards you can see installed in the Park protecting the new trees. We are planning to repeat this fund-raising event with a similar Christmas raffle.
On the last Saturday morning of every month we have teams of residents working on various sites in the village where there is public access, the Sheepwash, the Riverside sites as well as the Park.
If you would like to help on any of these sessions please contact Will Walker on 356286, Kate Savage on 361137 or Richard Ryder on 363228.
The Estate Management Group
Since installing new kissing gates to the Park and the tree belt we have seen many more paths cris-crossing the meadow and through the trees. It is so pleasing to see that residents are using the entrances.
The ‘new’ hedge from the Church Lane entrance to the St Francis entrance seems to be growing well and will provide a valuable new habitat for bees and butterflies.
Last year we postponed our planned October Auction of Promises and hastily promoted our successful Christmas themed raffle instead. The money raised went towards the cattle guards you can see installed in the Park protecting the new trees. We are planning to repeat this fund-raising event with a similar Christmas raffle.
On the last Saturday morning of every month we have teams of residents working on various sites in the village where there is public access, the Sheepwash, the Riverside sites as well as the Park.
If you would like to help on any of these sessions please contact Will Walker on 356286, Kate Savage on 361137 or Richard Ryder on 363228.
The Estate Management Group
MAY 2021
This winter the planting of the eight specimen trees, with their metal cattle guards, in the Park has been completed. These are two grey poplars, four field maples and a copper beech in the Park, with a liquidambar in the Water Meadow. The field maples delineate the old track which ran diagonally from the river towards the houses on Church Lane. The grey poplars will succeed the aging ones, keeping the continuity for many decades to come.
Planting hazel, hawthorn and holly around the pumping station fence and surrounding area will enhance the area in a few years’ time. We have also completed the planting of the 310-metre new hedge from the river entrance in Church Lane to St Francis entrance.
Winter work in the tree belt has enabled more light to penetrate to the ground, which will encourage more growth of ground vegetation. We have planted some hawthorn and hazel trees where there was no understorey vegetation, which will attract more wildlife, so increasing the biodiversity.
We are grateful to everyone who has responded to our several requests for help in the last few months, enabling all this work to be completed despite poor weather and enforced social distancing requirements. We look forward to receiving your continuing support to enable us to complete the next phase of our overall plan.
The Estate Management Group
This winter the planting of the eight specimen trees, with their metal cattle guards, in the Park has been completed. These are two grey poplars, four field maples and a copper beech in the Park, with a liquidambar in the Water Meadow. The field maples delineate the old track which ran diagonally from the river towards the houses on Church Lane. The grey poplars will succeed the aging ones, keeping the continuity for many decades to come.
Planting hazel, hawthorn and holly around the pumping station fence and surrounding area will enhance the area in a few years’ time. We have also completed the planting of the 310-metre new hedge from the river entrance in Church Lane to St Francis entrance.
Winter work in the tree belt has enabled more light to penetrate to the ground, which will encourage more growth of ground vegetation. We have planted some hawthorn and hazel trees where there was no understorey vegetation, which will attract more wildlife, so increasing the biodiversity.
We are grateful to everyone who has responded to our several requests for help in the last few months, enabling all this work to be completed despite poor weather and enforced social distancing requirements. We look forward to receiving your continuing support to enable us to complete the next phase of our overall plan.
The Estate Management Group
APRIL 2021
Last month the planting of the eight trees in The Park was completed. These are two grey poplars, four field maples, a copper beech with a liquid amber in the Water Meadow. Planting around the pumping station was also extended to enhance the area.
Winter work on another section of the tree belt has enabled more light to penetrate to the ground, which will encourage more growth of ground vegetation. Planting of hawthorn and hazel trees, where there was no understorey vegetation, will attract more invertebrates which should increase the biodiversity there.
We are grateful to everyone who has responded to our several requests for help, enabling all this work to have been completed despite poor weather and enforced social distancing requirements. We look forward to receiving your continuing support to enable us to complete the next phase of our overall plan.
The Estate Management Group
Last month the planting of the eight trees in The Park was completed. These are two grey poplars, four field maples, a copper beech with a liquid amber in the Water Meadow. Planting around the pumping station was also extended to enhance the area.
Winter work on another section of the tree belt has enabled more light to penetrate to the ground, which will encourage more growth of ground vegetation. Planting of hawthorn and hazel trees, where there was no understorey vegetation, will attract more invertebrates which should increase the biodiversity there.
We are grateful to everyone who has responded to our several requests for help, enabling all this work to have been completed despite poor weather and enforced social distancing requirements. We look forward to receiving your continuing support to enable us to complete the next phase of our overall plan.
The Estate Management Group
MARCH 2021
On a very misty Saturday morning last month we had a good team of 13 residents working in The Park planting five 3-metre trees. Four are field maples spaced appropriately in Parkland Meadow near the bridle way and a liquid amber in the Water Meadow. All have metal cattle guards around them which look in keeping with appearance of The Park. Three more guards were also temporarily assembled and placed ready to surround trees as soon as they have been delivered. Hopefully, these will have been planted by the end of February. One will be a purple beech at the eastern end of The Park and the other two are grey poplar to compliment the elderly existing poplar.
At the beginning of this month a tree surgeon will be working on several sites in the village which have public access. He will be attending to trees which might create problems in the coming years. Hence, we are acting now to ensure we are preventing these anticipated problems.
We look forward to receiving your continuing support to enable us to complete this phase of our overall plan.
The Estate Management Group
On a very misty Saturday morning last month we had a good team of 13 residents working in The Park planting five 3-metre trees. Four are field maples spaced appropriately in Parkland Meadow near the bridle way and a liquid amber in the Water Meadow. All have metal cattle guards around them which look in keeping with appearance of The Park. Three more guards were also temporarily assembled and placed ready to surround trees as soon as they have been delivered. Hopefully, these will have been planted by the end of February. One will be a purple beech at the eastern end of The Park and the other two are grey poplar to compliment the elderly existing poplar.
At the beginning of this month a tree surgeon will be working on several sites in the village which have public access. He will be attending to trees which might create problems in the coming years. Hence, we are acting now to ensure we are preventing these anticipated problems.
We look forward to receiving your continuing support to enable us to complete this phase of our overall plan.
The Estate Management Group
FEBRUARY 2021
With the current lockdown we are not able to work in teams on our regular work party days. However, individuals have been planting hedgerow trees in several village sites including the hedgerow gaps in Church Lane, completing the planting of the hedge in the Parkland Meadow, trees in in the tree belts above the allotments and in The Park as well as in Riverside Rest (Deep Ford).
Last month we were expecting the conifers around the pumping station in the Park to have been sectioned to the height of the existing wire fence, but the work is now scheduled for end of January. The planting of a hedge there will be completed this month. The £855 Christmas raffle profit has contributed towards the cost of 8 metal cattle protective guards to be used in The Park which we anticipate arriving soon. Consequently, we are ordering some parkland trees for the Park which will replace those long-lost trees which were marked on the 19th and 20th century village maps.
We look forward to receiving your continuing support to enable us to complete this phase of our overall plan.
The Estate Management Group
With the current lockdown we are not able to work in teams on our regular work party days. However, individuals have been planting hedgerow trees in several village sites including the hedgerow gaps in Church Lane, completing the planting of the hedge in the Parkland Meadow, trees in in the tree belts above the allotments and in The Park as well as in Riverside Rest (Deep Ford).
Last month we were expecting the conifers around the pumping station in the Park to have been sectioned to the height of the existing wire fence, but the work is now scheduled for end of January. The planting of a hedge there will be completed this month. The £855 Christmas raffle profit has contributed towards the cost of 8 metal cattle protective guards to be used in The Park which we anticipate arriving soon. Consequently, we are ordering some parkland trees for the Park which will replace those long-lost trees which were marked on the 19th and 20th century village maps.
We look forward to receiving your continuing support to enable us to complete this phase of our overall plan.
The Estate Management Group
