An extended Area for Nature comes into being - Lower Meadow

Partly as a consequence of the need to reduce the size of "The Mound", Winkleigh War Memorial Recreation Field Trustees decided to develop an additional area behind the existing one, in order to give more wild space for Nature to thrive. This happened quite quickly, due to the enthusiasm and hard work of WWMRF volunteers and the support of a neighbouring farmer with heavy machinery.  In a few short days in February, an area which had previously been cut for hay or grazed by sheep, had its topsoil stripped off and banks built up around it.  A Common Beech hedge and a few trees were relocated with the aid of a digger.  In addition, many young whips of native species were planted. A central island now holds a log-pile, which will be good for reptiles, such as lizards and great for insects when it rots down.

Central island bank with log pile

View from the North

Beech hedge relocated

10 English Oak, 10 Field Maple, 20 Common Alder, 20 Silver Birch and 10 Mountain Ash (Rowan) were planted on 16th February.

In addition, Hornbeam, Hazel,  Blackthorn, Dogwood and Dog Rose were planted.  Here's the planting plan. The Beech Hedge is on the North side and the Hazel bank on the East side.

Planting Plan - February 2023

In addition 9kg of meadow grass seed and 4kg of wild flower seed was sown around this area. We are now hoping for gentle rain and warmth to provide good germination and we look forward to the muddy expanse being clothed with green shoots.  It will be interesting to see which plants appear either from the seed mix or from the seed bank of the soil. This land has been managed as pasture for at least 75 years, as it has been a recreation field since 1948.

The fencing between the 'old' and the 'new' parts of the Community Nature Area has been removed so that they can merge into one.  We look forward to the species now resident on The Mound also taking up residence in the newer area.