ANGEL FIELD MILLENNIUM GREEN
Millennium Green Hedgerows , Berries and Birds
It is easy to take hedgerows for granted, we all walk past several different hedgerows and fenced boundaries every day and keep to the verges where such exist. However, they are always worth a closer look, the variety of plant species to be found, their girth and height are all good indicators of age. These are sanctuary strips for wildlife and the thicker their base the richer the range of flora and fauna to be found there. Of course, the reality is that most will not be found as the very dense nature of the hedge provides protection and secrecy which makes them a safe home for all sorts of insects, small animals and birds.
The volunteers working on ‘The Green’ have recently been kept busy managing the main run of the twenty-year old hedge trying to balance neatness and conservation. Trimmings are deployed to build up some soft and rotting material which long term will help benefit the soil and short term will provide nutrients for all manner of wildlife.
The wilder hedgerow which borders Fairfield Lane is generally left alone and the brambles have taken hold along a great part of it. The level of birdsong along this stretch is notably louder than most of the rest of ‘The Green’ put together. Summer did see a good crop of blackberries mostly consumed by the birds and winter makes the thorns more prominent whilst the blackthorn sloes are now in evidence -again food for birds save for those taken to flavour gin. Interestingly the long, arching stems of bramble were once known as ‘lawyers’ because of the trouble you have escaping if you fall into their clutches.
A key plant amidst parts of the hedging around the green is ivy often loved and loathed in equal measure. Ivy grows under its own steam and is a magnificent climber and on occasion will outweigh the tree canopy it has taken over and create problems. Ivy can also have such a grip on walls and building that the act of prizing it off will cause masonry to dislodge and loosen bricks creating real difficulties. But ivy also provides the last main source of nectar and pollen for bees to top up their winter stores from mid-September to November. As you pass the ivy in flower you can often hear the glorious roar of bees, and later the dark berries that last through until spring continue to benefit insects and birds. With Christmas approaching ivy is often used to accompany holly to help decorate the house, so it remains a versatile and tenacious plant perhaps more admired than not.
With plants approaching dormancy the time will soon be right to plant trees. Whilst a young persons’ game the aim is to plant over a hundred whips in the coming month so that future generations can enjoy maturing trees for generations to come. If you would like to help to grow a greener future do not hesitate to contact any of the volunteers who will often be found working on the green on the first Saturday of the month from 10.00 am to 12.00 noon.
Mike Carter
It is easy to take hedgerows for granted, we all walk past several different hedgerows and fenced boundaries every day and keep to the verges where such exist. However, they are always worth a closer look, the variety of plant species to be found, their girth and height are all good indicators of age. These are sanctuary strips for wildlife and the thicker their base the richer the range of flora and fauna to be found there. Of course, the reality is that most will not be found as the very dense nature of the hedge provides protection and secrecy which makes them a safe home for all sorts of insects, small animals and birds.
The volunteers working on ‘The Green’ have recently been kept busy managing the main run of the twenty-year old hedge trying to balance neatness and conservation. Trimmings are deployed to build up some soft and rotting material which long term will help benefit the soil and short term will provide nutrients for all manner of wildlife.
The wilder hedgerow which borders Fairfield Lane is generally left alone and the brambles have taken hold along a great part of it. The level of birdsong along this stretch is notably louder than most of the rest of ‘The Green’ put together. Summer did see a good crop of blackberries mostly consumed by the birds and winter makes the thorns more prominent whilst the blackthorn sloes are now in evidence -again food for birds save for those taken to flavour gin. Interestingly the long, arching stems of bramble were once known as ‘lawyers’ because of the trouble you have escaping if you fall into their clutches.
A key plant amidst parts of the hedging around the green is ivy often loved and loathed in equal measure. Ivy grows under its own steam and is a magnificent climber and on occasion will outweigh the tree canopy it has taken over and create problems. Ivy can also have such a grip on walls and building that the act of prizing it off will cause masonry to dislodge and loosen bricks creating real difficulties. But ivy also provides the last main source of nectar and pollen for bees to top up their winter stores from mid-September to November. As you pass the ivy in flower you can often hear the glorious roar of bees, and later the dark berries that last through until spring continue to benefit insects and birds. With Christmas approaching ivy is often used to accompany holly to help decorate the house, so it remains a versatile and tenacious plant perhaps more admired than not.
With plants approaching dormancy the time will soon be right to plant trees. Whilst a young persons’ game the aim is to plant over a hundred whips in the coming month so that future generations can enjoy maturing trees for generations to come. If you would like to help to grow a greener future do not hesitate to contact any of the volunteers who will often be found working on the green on the first Saturday of the month from 10.00 am to 12.00 noon.
Mike Carter
Christmas tree 2021 thanks again to Chris and Kenny Prior for the tree and the elves, Andy, Mike, Ade, Karen, Kate and Chris for decorating it.
Some of the rediscovered photos ( see below). From top left and left to right.Geoff Beaument,Lillian Garfoot,Richard Rockliffe,Barry Shears,Hugh Lacey,Jean Golding,Kate Carpenter,Peter Ryder. Unveiling a refurbished Village sign Lillian Garfoot,Hugh Lacey,Julian Ansell,Nathan Macdonald and child, Ted Featherby. The others show construction planting the copse, the pond a lot deeper than now, turfing the amphitheatre, the Angel from 2002 the Queens Golden Jubilee and Jean Papworth planting the original feature Black Poplar which sadly was damaged and replaced with an Oak.
