August 2023. The farmer has now finished harvesting the meadow grass, and all of the meandering trails that were once etched across the park have since disappeared (although you can still make them out). It's strange to see the landscape looking bare by comparison. Personally, I loved the 'metamorphosis' that attracted and sustained wildlife and insects alike, plus the sound of long grass gently rustling in the breeze. Anyway, back to business.
It was another busy day of litter picking, strimming, mowing and cutting back. The Church Street entrance to the park was due for a bit of a haircut.
The left hand side had previously been attended to last November, https://johnclaxtonjournal.blogspot.com/2023/03/a-day-at-beech.html today we were just cutting back on the other side.
This picture portrays me in action with the hedge trimmer, however the merit should go to Amy. I was busy by the gate with loppers and shears.
All sorted! We managed to fill 2 'ton bags' of branches and cuttings, mainly holly and beech.
Strimming that day was around the climbing tree. It's a bit tricky getting in and out the fallen boughs to reach the overgrown nettles and grass.
I'm becoming an expert on the ride-on mower, so I finished the day once more trimming the verges of the main/hoggin paths.
Earlier during the following week, Amy & Matt had been busy working at Lavare Park and the Recreation Ground, so there was a lot more mowing to catch up on when I arrived on Thursday. Fun times, especially as it was a very warm & muggy day.
We were, however, also tasked with cutting and clearing an area surrounding a young planted/caged tree that had become overgrown (dedicated to the NHS). You may ask why it was left to become overgrown. In truth, the tree has benefitted from this as it has been protected from unwanted visitors both animal and human, plus it helps to keep moisture in. Other young trees and smaller planted beds have been similarly allowed to become overgrown for the same reason, it is a critical stage of development.
....ah, there it is!
It was a similar situation yesterday at the park. This time, Amy & Matt had been working at Repton pond* relaying the path. So it was back on the mower for me, plus a little bit of strimming.
There was still more work to do at Repton pond, so Amy and I joined Matt in the afternoon to help with clearing some of the borders. Matt had just finished using the 'wacker plate' on the new path, albeit not quite complete (there had been six 'ton bags' of concrete and soil taken up from the old path).
Clearing the old borders....
*Repton pond is situated on Parkside Drive, which is opposite St Margaret's Church. It's very peaceful there, with a lovely fountain and a variety of fish.
Hope you enjoyed, I'll be back in a few weeks time.
Wonderful work as always, it's fascinating to see the constant changes through the seasons and how everything is managed. Interesting how the young trees are left overgrown to protect them, great solution!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant work and brilliant blog from you. So informative and answering questions before they are asked 😆
ReplyDeleteFascinating work. Thank you so much for sharing, and thank you to Annie for pointing me in your direction!
ReplyDeleteGreat work and staff and volunteers are to be congratulated for their worthy endeavours. Without such people we would quickly lose access to these parks and we must protect our green spaces.
ReplyDelete