Over the past years RPA volunteers have worked on several natural ‘green’ resources projects that benefit both plotholders and site biodiversity. Some serve dual functions eg the native deciduous hedge – a visual and physical barrier between the site and Church Grove Passage that also provides food and shelter for wildlife. Here’s a brief summary of the main projects:

1. The native deciduous hedge along the south perimeter side, a densely planted protective barrier (no rabbits!) providing food sources, shelter and habitats for beneficial wildlife. Since 2005 it has been sequentially ‘laid’.
2. Dead hedges in the SW wildlife area and alongside the south side perimeter, for disposing of woody cuttings that can’t be composted.
3. Hazel coppice half plot 18b. Planted in 2007/8 by Andrew Saunders and managed and maintained for cuttings to provide pea and bean sticks and stakes for plotholders.
4. Fedge round the compost toilet, planted in 2008.

5. Orchard (CFT) comprising the old fruit trees that have been managed and harvested since 2019.
6. SW corner apiary and wildlife area. RPA qualified beekeepers maintain hives in this area. Blackthorn, hawthorn and crab apple saplings have been planted, beneficial to wildlife and we will be able to harvest the sloes and crab apples. The area is kept as undisturbed as possible for wildlife.

7. Communal planted beds: Pollinator Patch; Crab Apple Corner; Rose Bed and Fig Bed. These small beds have been largely planted up with a variety of flowering plants that are attractive to pollinators. Bee boxes have been installed at the back of Pollinator Patch. 8. Apiary Barrier Hedge. A mixed row of evergreen shrubs, holly and pyracantha planted between the park railings and the original dead hedge, screening the beehives. It will become an effective physical and visual barrier and provide forage for a range of insects and birds.
9. Owl boxes installed in the mature trees on park wall side adjoining the lane to the Cricket Club, May 2017. This year four kestrel chicks were successfully reared and fledged in this avian AirBnB!
10. Bug hotels and wood piles for stag beetles and other beneficial wildlife, in the SW wildlife area, and a bird box.
11. Managed communal bramble patches. Brambles provide shelter, food and habitats for bees, butterflies and other wildlife and plotholders benefit from the fruiting berries.
Jenny Bourne 25.11.24
All views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author only.