Hurst water meadow news

January 2005

Generous grants and donations

The Trust has been fortunate in attracting grants and donations from the following sources:

The trustees are extremely grateful to them all. This has allowed us to complete the work described below in sections 2 and 3, and will allow us to go ahead with 4, 5 and 6.

Digging scrape and raising footpaths 

Matthew Hopkins and his JCB did the work most satisfactorily on 16-18 November. The raised footpaths will make for drier walking, but are muddy and need a layer of chippings to be done later. The scrape is intended to provide a damper area to encourage different species of wildlife. We may deepen it later to make a shallow pond.

Seats made from old oak butts 

Two oak butts from Nuneham Woods, over 150 years old, have been cut into rough seats by Martin Drew and were delivered on 16 November and secured by Matthew Hopkins. Floods will not affect them. They are already proving popular.

Updating the interpretation board by the Long Bridge

This is overdue. One acrylic sheet is damaged and will be replaced with polycarbonate. We will renew the map and plan to do this in the spring.

Accessories for the Countax tractor-mower 

The newly-designed high-grass mulcher cutting deck will make meadow maintenance much easier, and other accessories will save us the cost of hiring equipment or contractors.

Work on trees 

The old black poplar by Buck Pool has been checked by an expert arboriculturist, and we have been advised to reduce its height substantially and remove boughs overhanging Buck Pool. This is inevitable with a tree of this age. Other trees will also need treatment as advised in the interests of public safety and good management. The chippings will be spread on muddy footpaths and used as mulch.

Diversion of footpaths

The mown footpaths have been diverted in a few places to avoid any possible risk from falling trees or boughs. Walkers are advised to keep to the mown paths, particularly when strong winds are blowing.

Wildflower planting project

This was described in the October Dorchester News. The ground has been prepared and yellow rattle sown. Wildflower seed will be sown in September. In addition, the old hedge across the middle of the meadow will be restored by planting a variety of hedging plants in the winter, followed by wildflower plugs in the spring 2005. This will greatly benefit the habitat for birds and other wildlife, as well as being an attractive feature.

Trustees

We plan to appoint two trustees who are Parish Councillors as soon as possible.

Graham Howard

We are sad about the death of Graham Howard, the farm manager at Bishop's Court. He arranged the annual hay cut, and he and his colleagues have been a great support to the trustees and the public.

The trustees are grateful for all the help they have had from volunteers and those making regular contributions. Suggestions from users of the meadow are always welcome.

Peter Pritchard, Hon. secretary 

January 2005