On Friday 23rd February, Lantern Lane Primary School enjoyed a ‘kindness day’ when pupils went into the village to give thank you cards to local businesses. In Meadow Park a group of pupils planted primroses, honeysuckle, foxgloves and dog violets.
Originally these flowers were to be planted in the Stonebridge area but the ground was flooded after the recent rain so they were planted near the Nixon Walk entrance to the park on higher ground. Kevin Gibbons organised the plants and Lisa Kandola led the children in the planting of them.
The plants will attract butterflies (particularly brimstone and small tortoiseshell) and moths. Each pupil was given a butterfly leaflet produced by our volunteers and available on Meadow Park webpages on the village web site.
The children did a great job in the park, their enthusiasm was evident. We also got a ‘thank you card’ (photo bottom left).
Year on year the park gets more colourful with a variety of flowers, shrubs and grasses growing in greater quantity.
On 31st January, we had the use of a mechanised strimmer to cut back the scrub and some sections of hedgerow and volunteers helped remove and re-site the resulting debris. The aim was to ensure pathways were clear for walkers and that boundaries were kept in check.
As the weather for the scheduled work party in February looked pretty grim we moved the day to the first Saturday (3rd) and we had a lovely day with warmish sunshine as work on the two Stonebridge copses continued.
If you have time to take a look you will see some extension to the dead hedging and further clearing of low growing trees/shrubs. The hedging will created a barrier for dogs and allow small mammals to be better protected. The opening up of the area will allow more light to get in and ground cover plants, as well as snowdrops and bluebells to thrive.
Future working mornings are Saturdays 9th March and 13th April. Come along if you want to be part of the team. You do not have to be a FoMP member. We meet behind the Parish Office at 9.45am. Bring your gardening gloves.
Written by Brenda Lewis from Friends of Meadow Park
If you want to find out more about the Friends of Meadow Park visit the village website or our Facebook page. You can pick up a membership form from the library, Parish Office or Mel’s greengrocery. Membership per year costs £3 for an individual or £5 for a household. Becoming a Friend of Meadow Park does not require you to take part in the work groups. The membership fees are used to purchase tools and equipment to enable the work groups to maintain the park.