June 2024. The park is looking blooming lovely.
I don't think I've seen it as abundant as this before.
Crimson clover line the route from the 'climbing tree' to the main track, near the barn owl sculpture. This was an old worn path that was re-seeded just over a year ago.
The wide mown trails are intended to prevent this from happening.
Unfortunately, some of the meadow grass needed to be cleared to make way for the fairground and circus.
This relatively small area will be left to grow again after the middle of July.
Not far from here, Chris and I were clearing nettles, brambles etc from one of the planted beds.
As usual, this is very tricky. some of the plants are completely covered.
Whilst the front edge can be strimmed (once we've established where the line of shrubs begin), it's down to snipping carefully with hand held shears to uncover the hidden plants.
Some overhanging sycamore branches were also removed at the back of the bed to provide more light.
With all the ride-on mowing recently, a lot of compacted grass cuttings needed to be scraped from the twin-bladed housing underneath.
Matt and I got the mower up on ramps so that we could lay down either side and remove the clumps (quite a pungent aroma!).
The pressure washer was then used for good measure.
Whilst the fairground was getting ready, I spent the morning opening out the entrances into the west woods from the park. Low branches were lopped, bushes and nettles were cut back, and the verges were strimmed.
Then, would you believe it, the picnic area needed mowing again!
Meanwhile elsewhere, the meadow grass is still growing...
If you missed the fairground, don't worry, Circus Cortex is coming soon.
Last month, Matt and I cleared the fence line at the top of St Faith's Road. This was followed by further clearance, starting from the other end. The City College volunteers had made good progress before Chris and I were tasked with continuing the long stretch!
It was a particularly hot day, so working under the tree-line was a bonus.
We'd previously cleared this only 14 months ago (isn't nature wonderful 😀).
Nearly finished. Lets see how long this lasts!
Further updates of all that goes on at Catton park to follow.
Check out my next blog post in about a month's time.
