Phase 1 is completed!The initial work of clearing, levelling and re-seeding has now been done, and we can now enjoy the beautifully open vista that has been created. Thank you to all of you that have given us posative comments and encouragement. To those of you that had questions, concerns or complaints, we would welcome you coming to us first, either by phone or e-mail or by coming to one of our monthly meetings. (click to contact us).
Better looking, better security, better safetyWhere the field joins onto Lower Road the hedging has been allowed to do it's own thing, so is rather neglected and to be frank - not very pretty. Also, the poor state of the hedge does not show the the land is owned and cared for by the Community so we have invested in some smart new fencing and now that is up we can clear the many years of debris, rubbish, barbed wire and bits of car that have all left been behind in preperation for "laying" the hedge. These pictures show the story so far:
The clearing process: |
From the our Chairman, (and also in the April Newletter)
Dear Residents,
The need for remedial action along the edge of the field which abuts the road was highlighted to me fairly recently when an area of the field required tarmac around the new basketball hoop. The contractor that turned up was unhappy about having to transport the tarmac in wheelbarrows across the field and showed me an easy route onto the field, from the road where within 2 minutes their lorry could be driven onto the field. Mindful that this would be Christmas come early for the travelling community, the contractor’s request was refused. When the tarmac work was completed, I took the time to inspect the field/road boundary. What I found was alarming and I have listed the key points below: No barrier, no security 1. Although it looked like a barrier, the existing hedge, fence, tree-line in fact offered little or no security to the Glebe field. 2. The peerless fencing, installed a few years ago, had been repeatedly vandalised and was ineffective as a barrier for children using the field. Healthand safety hazards - too dangerous to be ignored 3. Within the strip, there was an abundance of barbed wire, (every child's favourite toy), a collapsed concrete structure with space enough for a child to crawl into/under it, (more fun), and enough rusty old metal, broken glass and old car parts to injure any inquisitive child lucky enough to have survived the first two hazards. Neglect 4. Several of the trees and bushes were dead or rotten, and many had fallen onto others. There was a lot of sideways growth and all the taller trees had grown into each other causing more die back and decay. 5. Ivy had grown into many of the trees which spoils their appearance and makes them susceptible to increased danger of collapse in winter winds. Summary of findings All in all, the roadside boundary was in a very poor condition. It was not providing a secure barrier and contained many half hidden dangers. I took these findings to Committee and it was agreed that major work was required. Professional advice was obtained and we were advised that our original idea of laying the existing trees to form a secure hedge was not viable because of the age and state of the existing trees/scrub. This meant that more radical and extensive work was needed. The scale of the task is such that, even at the clearing stage, it has required many volunteers working for long periods. |
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Aims:
Our thanks are due to these community minded people giving hours of their time for free to help us achieve our aims, which are to:- 1. Provide a secure, childproof fence on the boundary of our communal property; 2. Remove the damaged peerless fencing and dispose of it; 3. Remove all rubbish, barbed wire, concrete structures broken glass and metal; 4. Cut out all rotten, sideways growing or entwined growth and most of the self seeded scrub; 5. Strip the ivy from the remaining affected trees to reveal their shape and structure; 6. Dig soak aways to take water from road or provide a working ditch; 7. Remove all stumps and level the ground; add new topsoil as required and seed with grass; 8. Augment the existing trees that are worth saving with new trees and shrubs to improve the appearance and the biodiversity, planting these as "islands" rather than a linier hedge; 9. Thereby to provide some attractive screening while leaving the area open and visible enough to prevent vandalism and a recurrence of the massive drug problem that we had in this very area a few years ago, so great care will be taken to provide an excellent visage when the works are completed. |
Does anyone remember this?
We found these remains of some kind of structure when we were clearing the ditch. Does anyone remember what is was - or what it was for? A sentry box perhaps from when there was a military presence? Or some other kind of shelter? Or do you know what happened to it to reduce it to a heap of rubble? Send your thoughts to us here |
Before the project is completed, it is likely that things will look worse before they look better. In particular, the area may resemble a building site while soak-aways are put in and the low parts are being raised ready for the top soil to be spread over it. Please be patient while this is being done and do keep a careful eye on any toddlers using the play area during this time. Most of the reaction we have had to the work so far has been positive but some constructive criticism has been received.
The Committee has taken note of all suggestions and where appropriate modified its plans. As always, it is impossible to please all of the people all of the time and in answer to some of the points made we would say:
a.
the original planting was intended as a barrier, not as screen though over time it had grown, into a screen in the summer at least; the new planting will provide some screening but, for the reasons cited above, the Committee believes that some visibility is more important for the good of the whole community;
b. the trees were not significant for any important wildlife; even so, the clearing work should be complete before any birds nest in it. There is ample wildlife cover in the other boundaries to the Glebe and the adjacent areas, and once complete there will be more diversity of habitat than previously existed;
The Committee has taken note of all suggestions and where appropriate modified its plans. As always, it is impossible to please all of the people all of the time and in answer to some of the points made we would say:
a.
the original planting was intended as a barrier, not as screen though over time it had grown, into a screen in the summer at least; the new planting will provide some screening but, for the reasons cited above, the Committee believes that some visibility is more important for the good of the whole community;
b. the trees were not significant for any important wildlife; even so, the clearing work should be complete before any birds nest in it. There is ample wildlife cover in the other boundaries to the Glebe and the adjacent areas, and once complete there will be more diversity of habitat than previously existed;
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