On Sunday 15th June the PGP is hosting Dean Meadows Group to visit three of our meadow sites. We hope you will visit all of the sites. However, it is possible to visit some rather than all of them, but please observe the timings below. The aim is to have one group being guided round each site together. Please let me know if you are planning to attend. Parking is limited, so share where possible. I will try to pair people up for lift-sharing.
2.30pm The Fence Park at Cadora Wood car park (just above Bigsweir Bridge, what3words emotional.regal.thud) and walk about 100 yards, just past the phone box, to St Thomas Cottage. Access is beyond the cottage to Dan and Hannah’s small meadow: down.initiates.detergent Dan is knowledgeable about the species of insects and birds that visit.
Exit the side gate, turn right up the lane to Susan and Michael Young at Laurel Cottage; through the drive, up the steps and access to meadow gate: armrest.marine.provide. Susan says: Our meadow is about an acre of south facing slope which had been grazed by horses before we purchased the house over 20 years ago. When we arrived I sought advice from the newly formed Parish Grasslands Project on how to maintain it as a wild flower meadow. It is mown early Autumn and the grass taken off and piled in one corner. The magical appearance of a single green-winged orchid has been the reward of 22 years caring for the meadow.
3.15 – 3.30 pm Harthill Cottage, HewelsfieldThis is reached down a bumpy track off Sandy Lane, near its summit. There will be a sign on the lane and our unique postcode is GL15 6TZ. Park at the end of the track, on the left by the large stone shed: finger.dustbin.ethic and walk down to the house. Judy and I have lived here for 17 years and have about 18 acres of grassland in environmental stewardship, including five fields classed as species-rich. We will aim to visit three of the fields, which contain most of the species that occur on the common, but are quite varied botanically.
4.30 pm approx Cutt’s Orchard, Brockweir Park at the Mackenzie Hall car park, NP16 7NW contoured.helps.update (at the moment there are no bookings for the hall on the 15th. If that changes I’ll let you know and we’ll park on Mill Hill near the hall). This visit includes some steep and rough ground, so stout footware is recommended especially in wet weather. From the Mac Hall we will walk south on the Offa’s Dyke Path downhill to the footbridge over Brockweir Brook to Cutt’s Orchard, which Gill and Andy Stott have owned for the last six years. Their 16 acres is a mix of ancient woodland, wood pasture, rough grazing, meadows and marsh, including a short section of Offa’s Dyke ancient monument. We will look at their efforts at managing low intensity cattle grazing to restore species-rich grassland and other habitats.
Aim to finish by 5.30 – 6.00pm.
Finally a reminder that on Tuesday 1st July we will meet at 7pm at Tidenham Chase car park (signposted for Offa’s Dyke) for a guided tour of three nearby Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust reserves.