Report on The Hartland Charity Field Open Day on Saturday May 17th
The Open day was blessed with a perfect sunny afternoon, and over 50 people came along to visit the field. It was buzzing with insects and the wildflowers were at their best.
Thank you to everyone who came along. We also owe huge thanks to an army of helpers and supporters who helped to make the day so successful.
Paul Collum from the National Trust had mowed paths through the long grass, making it easier and more inviting for people to explore the field.
Jess and Jamie from the North Devon National Landscapes Team brought enthusiasm, nature spotter guides and a tea tent to support the day.
George Morgan had made kits for people to try their hand at water divining. Much fun was had, and since the field does not have a water supply the findings were of much interest. A couple of places were identified that warrant further digging and exploration. This will be done when we get a small digger in to make places for the fruit trees which will be planted this coming January/February. We hope that Hartland Primary School pupils will get involved with putting eight trees in.
Clare Gurton and others added to the log of plants and creatures living in the field.
John from Fosfelle kindly lent us some outdoor games which were much enjoyed. We hope that going forwards people will use the field for picnics and as a place to just enjoy and spend time. Once the trees are planted we will be putting a bench or two into the field.
We hope that going forwards people will use the field for picnics and as a place to just enjoy and spend time. Once the trees are planted we will be putting a bench or two into the field.
Thank you again to everyone who supported the day, it was great.
Maria Bremridge, A trustee of the Hartland Charity.
Community Field / Hartland Orchard
Event Notice: Saturday 17th May ~ Activities 2 – 4 pm
The entrance to the field is a wooden gate on the left hand side, just off the road from Hartland to Stoke, just before it drops down to Hartland Mill and the bridge across the river. Please see screenshot below.
What 3 words is earplugs.gateway.strict https://what3words.com/earplugs.gateway.strict
Bring a picnic to have in field beforehand
- The Hartland Nature Society will make a survey of the field looking at plants, insects, fungi and birds
- We will plan where ten fruit trees could go
- 8 Trees to be planted by the Hartland Primary School
- Suggestion board for everyone to say what they would like in the field
- Until we set up a rainwater harvesting system there is no water
- Allotments on hold for the time being.
- Sponsor a tree and we can plant more
- Could have soft fruit bushes and herbs.
- Sponsor a bench
- Nature Sheets with things to find
- Try water divining
- May have some games
Any Questions. maria.bremridge@gmail.com
Hartland Charity – Community Land
Hartland Nature Society are pleased to be working with the Hartland Charity to help improve and manage a small patch of community land for the benefit of wildlife and the community.
The land is situated just outside the village – Entry gate is at ///earplugs.gateway.strict – “what3words”
The main contact for this project is maria.bremridge@gmail.com
Listed are some tasks that are priority which we could get going as soon as people are able to help.
These are ideas to kick off with and then evolve over time.
- Project 1 – Getting a water supply to the field. This is not proving possible at the moment. Given the heavy downpours a simple rainwater harvesting system using a tarpaulin and large container might be a solution.
- Project 2 – Establishing a pond. The larger central pond is shown on the Land Management Report.
- Project 3 – Tree and hedge trimming and layering – There are one or two sycamore trees in the south hedge which need trimming back to avoid shading plants in the field. The hedge running from the wooden gate to the south needs trimming and layering if possible, to create good bird nesting.
- Project 4 – planting fruit trees. Plan to do this in the autumn and hoping the Hartland School might get involved.
- Project 5 – Keeping a central path maintained all year.
- Project 6 – Benches for seating
- Project 7 – A notice board at the field gate entrance
Maria’s rough sketch of some more ideas for Community Land
A Potential Land Management Report by Jamie Buxton-Gould & Jamie Owen, Finding Nature’s Footprints
