ANGEL FIELD MILLENNIUM GREEN

Angel Field Millennium Green Trust
We had hoped to get a good cut of grass to make hay this year, but the weather was against us and we couldn't be sure if we could get it cut and baled between bad weather. We did lose a little bit when a group of horses were stabled one Saturday night without permission trampling the grass and nibbling the trees. Strangely Covid and the local grapevine came to the rescue. Someone in the village knew someone who needed hay for his cattle as the very dry spell had left him short. The Millennium green had recovered quite well and would make good hay. In two short weeks it was cut and dried enough to bale and remove. We have to close the green when this is happening to keep the hay clean and protect villagers from the machinery. A good turn to us and as the gentleman who needed the hay was furloughed, we gave him the hay for his time and labour. In return he also helped the village to remove the fallen tree from Fairfield lane onto the green. It was totally rotten in two pieces but will make a home for many bugs even the one that was pushed into the pond. The hedges have been tamed again but it gets harder every year. The brambles there are very tenacious. We are always in need of volunteers; however infrequent we would appreciate your support. We try and meet the first Saturday of the month and there are always little things to do. Be it litter picking (some people are clearly not able to see all the waste bins, or dog poo bins ) or there is occasional 'painting' of the fence posts and gates as well as the litter bins, as well as more robust work of hedge cutting and sorting out the maze and petanque pitch. We remain a select group, not by choice, but welcome new helpers so don't hesitate to contact us. Enjoy the open space and wildlife but please keep it clean for a good crop of hay next year. Keith Leedell 01553810848
A look back in time.
I wasn’t involved with the construction of the Millennium Green but thanks to an amazing coincidence I was given some photos of this phase, including the use of heavy machinery and the original trustees at work and unveiling the newly refurbished Village sign. A neighbour had bought an old suitcase at the auction in Great Massingham and inside were these photos. Luckily she recognised where it was and passed them on. If someone from outside Watlington had bought it they would probably be discarded. They date from around 2001 and were most likely taken by Geoff Beaumont who was a trustee and a keen photographer. If anyone who was involved at the time wishes to see them please contact me.
Keith Leedell for the Millennium Green Trust
We had hoped to get a good cut of grass to make hay this year, but the weather was against us and we couldn't be sure if we could get it cut and baled between bad weather. We did lose a little bit when a group of horses were stabled one Saturday night without permission trampling the grass and nibbling the trees. Strangely Covid and the local grapevine came to the rescue. Someone in the village knew someone who needed hay for his cattle as the very dry spell had left him short. The Millennium green had recovered quite well and would make good hay. In two short weeks it was cut and dried enough to bale and remove. We have to close the green when this is happening to keep the hay clean and protect villagers from the machinery. A good turn to us and as the gentleman who needed the hay was furloughed, we gave him the hay for his time and labour. In return he also helped the village to remove the fallen tree from Fairfield lane onto the green. It was totally rotten in two pieces but will make a home for many bugs even the one that was pushed into the pond. The hedges have been tamed again but it gets harder every year. The brambles there are very tenacious. We are always in need of volunteers; however infrequent we would appreciate your support. We try and meet the first Saturday of the month and there are always little things to do. Be it litter picking (some people are clearly not able to see all the waste bins, or dog poo bins ) or there is occasional 'painting' of the fence posts and gates as well as the litter bins, as well as more robust work of hedge cutting and sorting out the maze and petanque pitch. We remain a select group, not by choice, but welcome new helpers so don't hesitate to contact us. Enjoy the open space and wildlife but please keep it clean for a good crop of hay next year. Keith Leedell 01553810848
A look back in time.
I wasn’t involved with the construction of the Millennium Green but thanks to an amazing coincidence I was given some photos of this phase, including the use of heavy machinery and the original trustees at work and unveiling the newly refurbished Village sign. A neighbour had bought an old suitcase at the auction in Great Massingham and inside were these photos. Luckily she recognised where it was and passed them on. If someone from outside Watlington had bought it they would probably be discarded. They date from around 2001 and were most likely taken by Geoff Beaumont who was a trustee and a keen photographer. If anyone who was involved at the time wishes to see them please contact me.
Keith Leedell for the Millennium Green Trust
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.