Hurst Meadows News

Thank you to all the children, staff and helpers from Year 5, St Lawrence CE School, who helped plant trees in Hurst Meadows last month. The tree whips had been heeled in safely over the winter awaiting the right weather for planting and this proved a challenge with the ground either frozen or the rain torrential! Eventually ninety children were able to walk to the Meadows and plant a tree each. The day was rainy and the ground muddy but good fun was had by all! Councillor Claire Majsai and Estates and Facilities Manager Stephen Witchell pointed out the ancient oaks which border Hovel Field. In 200 years time, the trees the children have planted may grow that big! Thank you also to the adult volunteers who came the following day to plant the remaining trees. In total around 350 native trees; rowan, silver birch, oak, hazel, and blackthorn were planted to form what will become an extension to existing Ancient Woodland. We hope that the children and all those who visit Hurst Meadows will enjoy watching the trees grow and see them begin to provide food and shelter for birds and insects. The next tree planting will be a single Walnut tree to be planted in Walnut Tree Field in the Autumn and then the focus will shift to natural regeneration and maintaining (through watering etc, as necessary) the newly planted trees. Some tree safety work is planned in Tilley’s Copse, the Wilderness, Hurst Meadows and a small number of other sites in the parish later in the year following our recent tree risk assessment surveys.

To read the full newsletter, please pick up a copy of May’s Hurst Life or click the pictures provided.